November 20, 2020
 
In this strange COVID year, with so many of Rotary's normal fundraising activities restricted, our intrepid members are being creative in finding new opportunities and adaptations to old ones. For example, our 40th annual Lobsterfest dinner-dance-auction fundraiser in September became a dinner take-out with our silent auction successfully conducted online. While less funds were raised than in a 'normal' year, the committee still surpassed its goal of raising $15,000 for charity. And now those net proceeds are being disbursed to worthy causes.
 
Read on to see how HOPE House and Shelldale are amongst the latest programs receiving special support from our Rotary funding. And a big thank you to all our hard-working Rotary fund raisers!
 
HOPE House
Extension of Counselling Services
 
"We are seeing an increase in anxiety and grief related issues. As people are self-isolating, new stressors and anxiety are increasing and previous emotional patterns are intensifying. We have partnered with Five Star Relationships to offer free counselling services to individuals in need 10 hours per week. The counsellor advocates for addiction-recovery, trauma, grief, healthy relationships and coping skills. Their focus is on supporting the individual in figuring out who they are behind the problems, and what is stopping them from becoming that person.
 
Thanks to the funding that the Rotary Club of Guelph has provided we are able to extend this service for 5 more months."
 
Jaya James 
Executive Director, HOPE House
 
 
 
Shelldale Family Gateway
Breakfast Program
 
"Shelldale Family Gateway gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous donation from the Rotary Club of Guelph. It will go directly to supporting our Breakfast Club.

The Breakfast Club serves between 25 and 30 children and families 5 days a week. Without this offering, so many children would go to school hungry, and we are so happy we can offer the program. However, the Breakfast Club is our "loss-leader". By that we mean that it is the program which costs us the most, but for which we receive the least funding. We are lucky to get some funds from Food & Friends and a few other sources, but we usually end up several thousand dollars short. Your incredible donation will go a long way to help us to continue to offer Breakfast Club for those in need."

Thank you again.

Diana Boal, Executive Director
Shelldale Family Gateway
 
Photo L-R:  Margie S., Dan B. and Dana N.
 
Our Rotary Club has an extra soft spot for Shelldale Family Gateway, remembering the tireless efforts of our late Rotarian, Charlie Whittaker, in its founding. So we like to think of ourselves today as being "Charlie's Angels" in supporting Shelldale. 
 
And now we have discovered another wonderful connection ... a real-life Charlie's Angel who regularly volunteers at Shelldale and is the beloved stepdad of our Rotary club member, Dianne Dance. In fact, in 2020, Dan Barendregt received the Charlie Whittaker Lifetime Achievement Award from Shelldale for his wonderful volunteering at the Breakfast Club for many years! Shelldale's staff says "Dan is always cheerful, and loves to sit and chat with the kids and families. We are so lucky to have him. Thank you Dan!" 
 
Rotary thanks you as well, Dan, for your Service Above Self.