ROTARY CLUB OF STEVESTON: Service Above Self
Story and photos submitted by Trevor Stickler, President The Rotary Club of Steveston is celebrating twenty rewarding years of service both to our community and internationally. Right from the start, the Rotary Club of Steveston focussed on youth and seniors. We have supported numerous programs including: • DARE in partnership with the Richmond RCMP • Toys for Kids • Senior summer BBQs and Christmas lunches. • Supplied a vehicle (4-year commitment) to Richmond Cares Richmond Gives so that they may drive seniors to appointments. • Initiated and support the McMath Secondary School Interact Club (a leadership program), with over 100 outstanding students, providing scholarships and bursaries for students. • Sending youth to RYLA (Rotary camp) and supporting and hosting Rotary International exchange student programs. • Preparing pancake breakfasts to help school fundraisers. • Cooking at the Salmon Festivals, and participating in the parade, winning awards for our pirate float. • Sponsored a "Fish Boat Fest" educational event at our fish sales dock in the early days, bringing elementary school children to tour the different fish boats. • Delivered dictionaries to over 400 grade five students (yearly) on behalf of our late member Bob Jones, well-known for his commitment to youth. • First Tee – British Columbia, raises funds through our annual Jack Evans Memorial Golf Tournament. First Tee prides itself on
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teaching children nine core values through golf. These core values include honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment. Our fundraising events have included: • Jimmy Ng (the young RCMP officer killed on duty in Richmond) Memorial Ball Hockey Tournaments. All proceeds were given to charities determined by his parents, typically $5,000-6,000. • The Duck Race was a fun event along the Fraser River. Buy a duck; the first ten across the finish line win a prize! • Club members directed parking at the RCMP Musical Rides. • Our ecology efforts at the two men's Canadian Open golf tournaments at Shaughnessy Golf Course raised nearly $10,000. • Hosted walks around Garry Point for disasters in Haiti, the Bahamas, and the Australian fires; proudly, one hundred per cent of the funds raised went directly to these causes. • Helped rebuild the back garden at The Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House and provided a $20,000 donation for a new electric bed. • Loan Rotary tents for use at local events such as the Herring Sale for Kids with Cancer, Garlic Festival, and many more. • The wine and food festival (Grapes, Hops, and Bites) has been our mainstay for fundraising. This event was held at the historic Gulf of Georgia Cannery and has been well supported by the Steveston businesses and community.
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October - November 2021
