Posted by Shelly Duben on Feb 21, 2019
Dan Mallory considers it his privilege and honour to have the opportunity to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Barrie. The club is now in its 72nd year of serving their local and international communities. Volunteers make a community strong.  The 130 members of the club are engaged and committed to giving back to their community.  They implement many projects and fundraisers throughout the year to achieve this goal. Here is a description of a few of their key events.
 
For the annual Festival of Trees the Rotary Club of Barrie works with the city of Barrie to light up the waterfront at Heritage Park and Meridian Place.  The project involves members of the club and their families and friends coming out and wrapping the trees with lights, and installing static and animated displays in anticipation of the Christmas Parade.  On the night of the Christmas Parade, the fireworks are lit and the lights are energized.  The lights are on during the winter season and turned off after Winterfest. Video footage of the Festival of Trees: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZgcsLFe4Io 
 
The Rotary Club of Barrie Annual Fun Run is going into its 32nd year.  On the last Wednesday of May 1200+ participants partake in the Rotary Club of Barrie’s Fun Run/walk, and enjoy a nice walk or run around the bay on a glorious spring evening. There’s a 5K walk and a 5K or 10K run for individuals or corporate teams. This is followed by food, libations, music, dancing and medal presentations as the sun sets over the bay at the South Shore Community Centre. See the 2018 Fun Run at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZN7DO86hdc)
 
The Spring Tonic Maple Syrup Festival has taken place at the Tiffin Conservation Centre for the last 13 years. The event is usually held on the first weekend of April. Here, families can see historic re-enactments of Canada’s early history, tap maple trees and watch the sap transformed into syrup. Sample this natural sweetness on pancakes with sausage, as well as shop for maple candy, syrup and souvenirs. Kids can make crafts, build a birdhouse, enjoy a horse drawn wagon ride and maybe get a hug from a boa constrictor.  On an average the Rotary Club could see 650 to 800 families come out to this event on a Saturday and Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkGQVAuJARU
 
The Rotary Club of Barrie is a strong supporter of youth and young leaders. They support Youth Exchange and have welcomed Marion Descher from France to their club and community. They also support RYLA, Interact, Adventures in Citizenship, and DECA (an international association of high school and college students and teachers of marketing, management and entrepreneurial studies). The club also honours community members through a variety of awards including: Teacher of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Al Hopper Friend of Rotary, high school graduation awards, Military Service Above Self and the Vocational Service Award.
 
The International Committee of the Rotary Club of Barrie has supported projects in Cambodia, Nepal, Guatemala, South Sudan and Belize. Projects include replacing a stove in an orphanage to feed 96 children, creating an irrigation system, providing necessary school supplies and helping children attend school through tuition fee support. Many projects have been in partnership with other Rotary clubs which foster new friendships within the Rotary family.
 
If you are ever in the Barrie area, please consider doing a make-up at the Rotary Club of Barrie. Meetings take place on Thursdays at 12:15pm at the SouthShore Community Centre at 205 Lakeshore Drive in Barrie.
 
Visit our "Spotlight on Service" Page for more messages about other clubs.