By Cecilia Nasmith
Rotary Club of Cobourg president Don Owen made a brief presentation at Cobourg council's committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday just in the spirit of greeting and thanking a long-time partner.
Owen said he represented “more than 40 members who really do live by our motto Service Above Self.
“We are committed to making this community the best it can be for our families, grandchildren and generations to come.”
They depend on three big annual fundraisers to carry out this work.
The February Sportsman's Night is a long-time event that can be counted on to raise about $95,000.
Each Canada Day weekend, they partner with the town and the Lions Club for the Waterfront Festival, a 35-year tradition that typically raises $65,000.
A similar amount can be anticipated for their mid-August Ribfest celebration of food, music and fun.
“We have prided ourselves on making it an environmentally clean event, and have reduced our waste greatly in the last few years,” he said.
Through this hard work, the money is there when requests come in from the community for everything from dentures and wheelchairs to renovations and improvements for agencies like Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre and donations to the Cobourg Community Centre, Northumberland Hills Hospital and Ed's House (the new Northumberland Hospice Care Centre due to open in 2020).
Rotary International's theme this year is Rotary Connects The World, Owen said, and their polio-eradication program continues.
“It will be only the second time in the history of man a deadly disease was eliminated from the planet.”
A partnership is a two-way street, Owen pointed out.
“If you need us for anything, please contact us. If you want to volunteer at any of our community events, please do.”
A centennial committee is already in place to observe a special milestone in 2021 – the Rotary Club's 100th year in Cobourg.
Meanwhile, like all organizations, Rotary is evolving.
“The idea that we are group of aging businessmen has got to change. We have a new strategic plan focusing on marketing, membership and sustainability.”
They also hope to make it clear that Rotarians are in the same boat with everyone else in wanting their home community to be the best it can be.
Owen closed with a quote from Jon Bon Jovi - “If you want to feel good, do something good.”
“I guess that's why I am in Rotary,” he said.
