Program: Josh Cassidy - Canadian Paralympian Wheelchair Racer
Messages this week from our Club President, Tracey Curtis
Click on the O Canada symbol above to hear this week's unique video recording that Rick Le Feuvre found for us, by the Pakistani "Leo Twins" and dedicated to Canadian Frontline Workers. As Nanita Mohan commented, this recording was a great choice for Diwali being celebrated this week.
Thank you, Rick, for your diligence in finding new and interesting O Canada renditions for us each week. This has become an anticipated feature of our weekly meetings!
Read on to learn more about our club activities and members, plus a wonderful presentation by today's guest speaker, Josh Cassidy.
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Member News
Please send thoughts and wishes to these club members.
Gisella Gozzola's husband, Lou Gazzola, passed away on Thursday, November 12. Gisella is one of our newer Rotarians who joined the club in May this year and is already an active volunteer as the organizer of our Virtual Paint Nights with Ben McCarl. Lou was father of their 10-year old Sarah, and he was son of Sylvia Gazzola.
Monte Hewson is taking a leave of absence from the club while he wraps up his 40 year old Guelph business, Monte's Flowers. But he'll be back! Read about his retirement here in Guelph Today. (Photo by Tony Saxon)
Martha Rogers,ED at the Upper Grand District School Board, has agreed to postpone her retirement to continue providing support and navigation through the COVID pandemic. Thank goodness - her experience is invaluable. Read more here in Global News.
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Our Club's Rotary Christmas Updates
Many thanks to our volunteers for testing the Christmas lights last Saturday, Nov 7.
Plans for Sparkles in the Park 2020 are moving ahead, and also getting some media attention. The Downtown Guelph Business Association (which had to cancel this year's annual Christmas Parade) is now partnering with the Rotary Club of Guelph to help Sparkles in the Park. Read more here.
Our club's exciting, new initiative Rotary Has Christmas In The Bag led by new Rotarian Eleni Bakopoulos is to support local businesses and raise funds for charities. These $100 bags make great gifts for family, friends, clients, employees and volunteers. With the gift coupons, the bag value far exceeds $100 and purchasers also get a $40 tax receipt. Read more here. Order bags here.
Liz Sandals sincerely thanked members for their donations that amounted to $4,346 this year, allowing our club to spend $1,000 on the purchase of much-needed new winter wear for children, and additionally "adopt" four families with gift cards for their Christmas. Each of "our" families has five children with two parents, so in all we will be bringing Christmas joy to 28 people ... in addition to various children who will receive brand new winter wear. THANK YOU, ROTARIANS! We did it again.
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On Monday, November 9, this online talk about FINDING THE BALANCE DURING COVID-19was quickly "sold out" on Eventbrite but fear not ... you can watch the recording here.
Stay safe, everyone!
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Community Fundraisers - spreading the word
At this time of year, many charities inform us about their events and fundraisers, asking for our support but mostly asking us to help 'spread the word'. Please take a look at our website where we've provided some details about:
The annual Christmas Joy Home Tours for HOPE House.
Guelph's annual Toy Drive.
The annual Cheese Bags from Rotary Club of Fergus-Elora.
Richard Broadwith - November 15 ... currently on a leave of absence. Happy birthday, Richard! We miss seeing you.
ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES
Walter Stachnyk - November 17 - 48 years! Thank you, Walter, for your many years of dedicated Service Above Self at Rotary.
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Program this week - Nov 13
Josh Cassidy - Canadian Paralympic Wheelchair Racer
What a delight to hear this young Guelphite's story and marvel at his achievements, especially his mental strength and positive mindset.
While he is justly proud of his many medals and records, he humbly said that his greatest lessons and personal growth had come from times when he DIDN'T win. We really enjoyed his conversation with us, so pleasant and down to earth. Here is his remarkable bio.
Joshua Cassidy was born November 15th, 1984. He came into the
world fighting a non-congenital cancer which primarily effects children, Neuroblastoma. The doctors told his parents that their newborn had a narrow chance of survival. Perhaps through a combination of medicine, family prayer, and a will to live, Joshua won miraculously. The damage done to his spinal cord left his legs partially paralyzed.
Where many saw obstacles ahead, this young boy saw opportunities. This blessing gave him the blocks needed to overcome hardships and build a life of success, love, and happiness.
Joshua grew up as the oldest of 10 kids which began in the military life, then a farm life, moving out as a young man to the city life, and now Josh has spent over a decade travelling and living around the globe.
Josh's early love of sport eventually led to athletics, and in 2008 he
competed in his first Paralympic Games in Beijing, in front of 90,000
spectators. At the London Marathon in 2010, Josh recorded his first ‘big’ win, against the best in the world.
In 2012, Josh won the prestigious Boston Marathon with an incredible performance, recording the World's Fastest time of 1:18:25. He has been recorded hitting a top end speed of over 80 km/h down the Tyne Tunnel in Newcastle UK. In a year, Josh has covered over 7500kms, equivalent of the width of Canada, coast to coast. He has been a Canadian Champion 28 times and is also the Canadian Record holder in the 5000m, 10000m, and Marathon.
Now a three time Paralympian, winning many races around the world, Joshua is known internationally for his work ethic and fortitude. He has beaten every competitor in the world at least once. He is currently preparing for his fourth Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
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Program next week:
Fri, Nov 20 at 12:30pm
Our newish Rotarian Marguerite Campbell will introduce herself through her Up Close & Personal talk (formerly known as a "classification talk").
You won't want to miss hearing from this dynamic educator.
Many thanks to our volunteers for testing the Christmas lights last Saturday, Nov 7. 
On Monday, November 9, this online talk about 
What a delight to hear this young Guelphite's story and marvel at his achievements, especially his mental strength and positive mindset.
Josh's early love of sport eventually led to athletics, and in 2008 he
Fri, Nov 20 at 12:30pm
