Andrew Shuttleworth is just finishing his year as the president of the Rotary Club of Orillia and will soon be handing over the reins to President Elect Tony Antidormi. The Rotary Club of Orillia has 66 members in its noon club and satellite club and has had 7 District Governors throughout its history, including Don Whitfield, Carl Dickson and Marilyn Hanson who are still members of the club.
The Rotary Club of Orillia has a couple of major fundraisers through which they raise much of the money they use for local and international projects. They recently held their annual Lobsterfest. This sold out event featuring a full lobster meal, dancing and entertainment was attended by 400 people. They also host a very successful “Girls Night Out” event each November which features wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, boutique vendors, vendor prizes, 50/50 draw, and even free rides home in Orillia. This year’s event was attended by over 250 people!
The Rotary Club of Orillia has contributed funds to some major local projects over the years. Some of these significant contributions include the following:
- The club was a major donor of Soldiers Memorial Hospital, contributing over $200 000.
- They contributed $100 000 towards the Bandshell at Couchiching Park
- The club has helped build the soccer fields at Kitchener Park with a $75 000 donation.
- The club contributes regularly to the Orillia Food Bank and Salvation Army.
- Members have raised $150 000 to build the Rotary Steam Railway at Couchiching Park.
- They have helped provide housing to seniors through their $30 000 donation to Hillcrest Lodge.
- The club contributed $60 000 to the YMCA building fund.
- The Simcoe Muskoka Cancer Care Centre has benefitted from a $15 000 donation from the Rotary Club of Orillia.
- And finally, the club contributed $75 000 to the City of Orillia for the Rotary Place twin pad arena.
The Rotary Club of Orillia also funds smaller local projects, including many that support local youth. Members support students in the community by: recognizing Student of the Month; providing annual awards/scholarships for Service Above Self; sponsoring students to attend “Adventures” in Technology, High Tech, Auto Tech, and Citizenship; and sending students to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. They support youth sports teams and provide dictionaries to local grade 3 students. They provide scholarships to Lakehead University and Georgian College students. The club supports the community in other ways as well. Members distribute over 300 turkeys to families at Christmas. The club has helped provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to local homes and has contributed funds to provide special medical equipment to those in need. The club has also made contributions to local non-profit organizations such as Crimestoppers, Telecare, Jubilee House, Information Orillia, Orillia Winter Carnival, Legion Poppy fund, Big Brothers/Sisters, Alzheimer society, Green Haven Shelter, and many others.
The Rotary Club of Orillia believes in promoting peace and understanding through their involvement in international projects. The club has contributed to ShelterBox for distribution in disaster areas. The club sponsors an “International Student Weekend” in Orillia to show youth exchange students what a real Canadian winter is and how to enjoy our winters. This program has been going on for over 40 years. The club also makes a significant contribution each year to the Rotary Foundation to support its work around the world and to the Polio Plus program to help eradicate polio.
If you are in the Orillia area on a Tuesday, please consider dropping in to visit the Rotary Club of Orillia which meets at noon at the Best Western Mariposa Inn at 400 Memorial Avenue, Orillia. Or visit their satellite club which meets at 5:15 PM on the same day at the same location.
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