ONE YEAR TO GO - 100th anniversary kickoff
On April 1, 2019, exactly 99 years to the date that the Rotary Club of Welland received its charter, the club held a one-year to our 100th Anniversary kick-off social event, hosted by the Welland Historical Museum. Approximately 100 people attended, including past-presidents, former members, Paul Harris Fellows, representatives from several area Rotary clubs, club Sponsors, donor recipients, some past district governors, Welland government officials and guests. Your TV (Cogeco) produced a video of the evening’s events which can be seen on our website: www.wellandrotaryclub.com.
Pictured: Welland Rotary One Year to 100th Kick-Off, (L to R) Mayor Frank Campion and President David Alexander.
President David Alexander welcomed everyone to the countdown to our 100th Anniversary, saying, “The theme this year has been ‘Be the Inspiration’. I am sure we have all been inspired by those changemakers amongst us. We have put together blankets, interesting speakers, sweated the details, had fun along the way. Rotarians are truly People of Action. Our values are based around Service Above Self. When you help others, when you take on some of the most persistent human development challenges, whether it is here at home, or with our partners around the world, you truly find your humanity and how what you do makes a difference."
President David asked Welland’s Mayor Frank Campion to make some remarks. Mayor Campion expressed gratitude for all of the work the Rotary Club of Welland has done for the community during the past 99 years, especially in donating to city directed causes such as the original Cross Street swimming pool in 1939-1940, assisting with the purchase of 2 Well Trans buses during the 1980s and 1990s and contributions to city playgrounds and ice rinks. He stated, "The city is looking forward to working with the Rotary Club of Welland on its Legacy Project."
President-Elect Don Thorpe presented the Rotary International video: A Century of Doing Good noting that Rotary International has done many wonderful things in its 114-year history. Our club was started by 25 community minded citizens. Welland Rotary was the 644th Club chartered in the world, what was then referred to as the International Association of Rotary Clubs. We have a long history of which to be proud. We know that one of the first donations was to the Underprivileged Boy's Camp Morgan's Point. We started one of many large donations to the Welland Hospital in 1935. In the 1930s, local Rotary members were involved in helping what was then referred to as ‘Crippled Children’. In 1964, Welland Rotary, along with the Rotary Club of St. Catharines and the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, the Port Colborne Lions and the May Club of St. Catharines were charter members of what is now the Niagara Children’s Centre. We have made a difference!
Without service clubs like the Rotary Club of Welland, which raises funds to improve the lives of others less fortunate, communities and citizens, both local and international, would not have the facilities nor the life expectancy they have today. We have survived for 99 years and we will continue to embrace Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self”. Please mark your calendars for Saturday, April 4, 2020 when we will officially celebrate our 100th Anniversary at a gala. This is your first invitation!