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Ukranian Rotarian receives Paul Harris Recognition from C-K Rotary
The June 18th, 2024 meeting of the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston was indeed special. Our club granted Paul Harris recognition to Olga Ialovenko, a member of the Rotary Club of Kharkiv New Level in Ukraine.Paul Harris recognition can be awarded to a Rotarian or non-Rotarian to honour their work in advancing the goal of Rotary – Service Above Self. Olga’s work in Rotary embodies the spirit of Rotary’s motto.Olga joined Rotary 2008 as a member of the Rotary Club of Cherkosy, Ukraine. She held several roles in her club, including Secretary and President. Olga also held District roles in Ukraine, including District Polio Plus Subcommittee Chair. She is also a recipient of Rotary’s Service Above Self Award, granted to no more than 150 Rotarians per year out of the 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide.
Olga’s connection to Canada began when she was forced to move to Ottawa in June of 2022 because of the war in Ukraine, with her two children. Since then, she has transferred to the Rotary Club of Kharkiv New Level, where she remains an active member. In Canada she has fought to raise awareness and understanding for the people of Ukraine.
Olga spearheaded a project here in Canada to raise over $88,000 to produce and supply almost 2,700 all-weather blankets (fashioned like a sleeping bag) to ship to Ukraine. Without power most people would freeze to death in winter, but these blankets give the protection for them to survive.Olga also helped send a team of refugee Ukranian high school students from Canada to a Financial Literacy Tournament in Vienna, Austria. This team competition helps the students learn important lessons about financial literacy, which hey will need to help rebuild their country when they are able to return.
A conversation with Olga is an exploration of possibilities – how can we use Rotary’s resources and influence to make a better, more peaceful world. She is a deserving recipient of Paul Harris Recognition.
THE GIFT of LIFE
ROTARY Brings DIALYSIS to the Poorest of the Poor in Porur, India
As Rotarians, we are all familiar with our claim that we serve to change lives, and as Rotarians, we do our best to live up to that goal through the many projects we support. But some projects not only change lives, they also SAVE lives! Through a Global Grant worth almost US$120,000, the Rotary Club of Chennai Capital obtained financial support from Rotary clubs around the world – including a contribution from the Rotary Club of Cataraqui-Kingston – to provide life-changing and life-saving kidney dialysis treatment for some of the poorest people in the south of India suffering from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for whom treatment was virtually unattainable.
BREADWINNERS!
at
LOUGHBOROUGH PUBLIC SCHOOL
The new Teaching Kitchen at Loughborough Public School was inaugur
ated by Mr. Alan Macdonald’s Grade 7 Challenge North Class on the last Monday of the school year! The students prepared and baked 16 loaves of bread and clearly enjoyed the experience of being the first class to use the new kitchen, as well as being pleased with the outcome of their efforts. The Kitchen is part of the the Greenhouse and Teaching Kitchen Project that has been in the planning and construction stages for the past three years. Once the idea of a previous Grade 7 Challenge Class as a “Legacy Project” for future generations of students, both the Greenhouse and the Teaching Kitchen are now fully constructed, although the interior of the Greenhouse has yet to be outfitted.
ated by Mr. Alan Macdonald’s Grade 7 Challenge North Class on the last Monday of the school year! The students prepared and baked 16 loaves of bread and clearly enjoyed the experience of being the first class to use the new kitchen, as well as being pleased with the outcome of their efforts. The Kitchen is part of the the Greenhouse and Teaching Kitchen Project that has been in the planning and construction stages for the past three years. Once the idea of a previous Grade 7 Challenge Class as a “Legacy Project” for future generations of students, both the Greenhouse and the Teaching Kitchen are now fully constructed, although the interior of the Greenhouse has yet to be outfitted.The purchase of the major appliances, work tables, and shelving units for the Teaching Kitchen was made possible by a CK Rotary Community Service Project Grant that was awarded to Loughborough Public School for that purpose in our Spring Grants competition.
CK Rotary congratulates Mr. Macdonald and his students on their bread making skills and wishes all who use the new kitchen success and a sense of pride in all their future culinary achievements!
IMAGINE…
…a classroom without walls, no chalk board, no bulletins boards, no desks, and no chairs, but a place in the forest, with trees, and wild flowers, and filtered sunlight, and rocks with moss, and squirrels running about! THIS is the classroom of Mother Nature where 120 young schoolchildren from Loughborough Public School will spend a total of five days during the next school year, experiencing the wonders that surround them in Frontenac Provincial Park.
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This morning we welcomed Lisa and Heidi from Garnet Families, an organization dedicated to providing free services to help meet the special needs of the families of those in the Military, First Responders, Corrections and more. These families experience unique stresses related to the work their family members do.
Heidi's husband is a firefighter, and Lisa's husband is in the military, so both have experienced the issues that the families they seek to help have. Through their work at Queen's University, Heidi and Lisa have helped develop evidence based resources to help Garnet Families.
Through the comments and questions after their presentation, we realized that 5 of 8 members at the meeting have a connection to someone in the targeted groups, so many of us are part of Garnet Families.
The full presentation can be seen at https://youtu.be/eQsPhAT-5yQ
Garnet Families website is https://garnetfamilies.com/
Saeid introduced Tim Barber, Chair of the Board of Ryandale Transitional housing. Ryandale's website tells what they are all about; Ryandale provides a sober living space for homeless men. It does not discriminate against past drug use, mental illness or time spent in prison.
Tim full presentation can be seen at;
This morning we were pleased to welcome 2024-2025 District Governor Teresa Whitmore to our meeting.
Teresa's career journey is a testament to her adaptability and leadership. Starting in the airline industry, she transitioned into the travel sector for 15 years. She needed a new challenge, so she went into real estate 34 years ago this coming December. Teresa holds an international designation and has built a niche market selling vacation homes in Panama and Mexico to North American clients.
Teresa's Rotary journey began with the Sunrise Club in Belleville. Ten years ago, she joined the Rotary Club of Orleans, where her leadership skills quickly became evident. As president, she revitalized the club, increasing membership from 6 active members and 6 non-active members to 28 active members over 2.5 years, an achievement that made her a Paul Harris fellow.
Her commitment to Rotary extended beyond her club as she served three years as AG for seven clubs, including Western Ottawa clubs and Iqaluit. Teresa's strategic vision and dedication led her to her current role as DG, which she assumed on July 1 of 2024.
A passionate community volunteer, Teresa's contributions have been widely recognized. She is set to receive the King Charles Coronation medal for outstanding community service. Teresa is also a devoted mother to two grown children and two grown stepchildren and a proud grandmother to five grandchildren, aged 9 to 17. Teresa Whitmore is a PH + 4 member, a Sustaining Member and a member of the Bequest Society. Her journey exemplifies Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self," and she continues to inspire others through her commitment to community and Rotary.
Teresa praised our club for our work, and showed us the District Action Plan for 2024-2025. She also spoke about the 2025 District Conference, and the Calgary International Convention, encouraging club members to attend both.
Teresa's full presentation can be seen at https://youtu.be/7JM2TpZh3f8
This week we were privileged to present Paul Harris recognition to Sandi Dodds, Director of The Mess Studio. 15 years ago, Sandi helped establish The Mess Studio by setting up at Martha's Table with art supplies. When clients came in for a meal they could create art. The Mess approached our club asking for help with art supplies, which has led to a 14 year association between our organizations.
The Mess Studio has served those on the fringes of our city - those struggling with homelessness, poverty, mental illness or substance abuse. It has also attracted a sizeable stable of volunteer artists to help with their work. The result - The Mess Studio has created a safe space, a community, where their members can be 'seen'.
All of this is driven by Sandi's hard work and dedication. Her sense of what is possible is what makes The Mess Studio work, although she won't take the credit for it.
For all she does for our community, Sandi is a worthy recipient of Paul Harris recognition.
Congratulations Sandi! To see the whole presentation, click on http://https://youtu.be/OS8b2FUSSXA
Paul Carl is a certified and licensed drone pilot who started out as a recreational drone flyer. In June of 2024 he started Aanii Nichii Drones to offer various drone services to clients. Paul has also decided to dedicate part of his business to help non-profit organizations with mapping, surveying, planning, and environmental concerns.
The words “Aanii Nichii” means “Hello Friend” in Anishinaabemowin.
Paul's complete presentation can be viewed at;
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ACTIVITIES:
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Service Above Self
Kingston, ON K7L 5J7
Canada