It's been more than one year since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While we had been unable to meet in person since March 2020, we've recently been able to join together again in person at the Inn on the Hill on Mondays at 12 PM.
You are also welcome to join us virtually via Zoom.
Although we had to spend much of the last year apart, our Club has been busy running our Rotary Radio Bingo program, entering a new partnership with the Community Foundation of PEI on a Chase the Ace fundraiser, and completing several projects to support our Island communities.
Take a look below at some of what we've done over the past year to help meet the needs of Islanders.
Thank you for your support of our Club and for staying connected. Wishing you all health and happiness! Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President of the 2020- 2021 year.
- Regan Lewis, President
DELIVERING $50,000 to ISLAND ORGANIZATIONS TO COMBAT COVID-19
Last spring, our Club formed a COVID-19 Pandemic Committee which was responsible for finding ways that the Club could best use the funds it raised through its fundraising efforts.
We focused on food insecurity, medical/health concerns, and the need for social supports and connections.
Part of that $50,000 pledge was used for a food hamper initiative. With strong support from Najam Chishti and Paul Crant, we delivered over 150 hampers to Islanders in need in late spring of 2020.
In January of 2021, we re-launched our food hamper project and provided over 200 hampers ($20,000) to food insecure Islanders.
We have been overwhelmed by the success of this project and are looking at ways we can continue to support Islanders through food hampers.
On Friday, July 9th, Club Volunteers passed out over 400 bottles of hand sanitizer donated by Upstreet Craft Brewing and over 1000 masks in downtown Charlottetown.
Wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene has been proven to be an effective way to keep ourselves and others safe from COVID-19.
Photo from right to left: Bob Moffatt, Najam Chishti, Regan Lewis
VOLUNTEERING WITH THE UPPER ROOM
Our Club is now volunteering with the Upper Room. With an investment of $200, we can sponsor a meal that feeds between 70-90 individuals.
In total, we are making a $1200 investment in order to sponsor 1 meal a month for 6 months.
Volunteers help the chef prep for meals (peeling/cutting veggies, buttering bread, preparing trays, pouring drinks, organizing desserts), they help serve the meal to clients and help with clean up (cleaning tables, chairs, counters, washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors).
Photo left to right: Farida Chishti, Najam Chishti, Ron Profit
Recently, at the Siyajabula Orphanage in South Africa, 47 children were living with no running water and overflowing septic tank with raw sewerage, and no garbage pick-up.
to donate $2500 each for the purchase of toilets, hand wash basins, gutters, tanks, fencing, solar power, and more to create a healthy and safe environment.
Club President Regan celebrating Earth Day by planting a tree with Fusion Charlottetown.
Participating in the Downtown Charlottetown 'Adopt a Corner' initiative. Check out our corner in front of the Rodd Charlottetown.
OTHER NEWS
The Club donated $500 to the 'Taking Care of Business Campaign' to provide feminine hygiene products to Island women and girls through the PEI Food Banks.
With $500 in funding, the Muslim Society of PEI was able to prepare 10 gift baskets for families in need during Ramadan.
In May, 40+ Rotarians gathered in Charlottetown to volunteer for the PEI Women's Institute annual roadside cleanup.
We established a Rotary Club of Charlottetown Transportation Program for low income dialysis patients to help with the costs of transportation to and from dialysis appointments.
We continued our breakfast program with St. Jean School and Prince Street School providing funding and volunteers to ensure students enjoy a healthy meal before school.