Latest news with #RotaryClubs
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
15K Rotarians from 140 countries celebrate community at Calgary convention
Mark Starratt is the co-chair of the host organizing committee of 2025 Rotary International Conventional, which has 15,000 people from 140 different countries attending. Last week, Alberta hosted the G7, which featured global leaders from around the world gathering together in Kananaskis Country to try to solve a few of the world's problems. This week, Calgary is hosting the 2025 Rotary International Convention, which features 15,000 ordinary folks from 140 countries around the world gathering together at BMO Centre in Stampede Park to try to solve a few of the world's problems. "I don't think we have enough time to talk about the variety of things that are being talked about, but it's everything from peace and conflict resolution to polio eradication to literacy, maternal health, and community engagement,' said Mark Starratt, the co-chair of the host organizing committee. 'There's just so many things going on at this convention. It's hard to put a pulse on just one thing." Starratt said there are 13 Rotary Clubs in Calgary and more than 45 in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, who represent a sliver of the organization's 1.2 million people from 46,000 different clubs. When you put that kind of people to work trying to solve a problem, you can get a lot done, said Rotary International General Secretary and CEO John Hewko. 'Rotary, really, back in 1985, had the the audacity to say we are going to eradicate a disease from the face of the earth,' Hewko said. 'Smallpox have just been eradicated, and we -- to celebrate our 75th anniversary -- said we're going to tackle eradicating polio. John Hewko, Rotary International CEO John Hewko, Rotary International president and CEO (Tyler Barrow, CTV Calgary) 'We were joined by the WHO, UNICEF, CDC, and, more recently, the Gates Foundation and GAVI to create the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. 'We started with 125 countries that had polio back then,' Hewko said. 'We're now down to just two: Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the virus is still circling. So we're on the verge of eradicating polio and leaving a legacy for as long as mankind inhabits the earth.' Hewko said Rotarians around the world have contributed US $2.9 billion to the effort over 40 years, and recently Gates announced he would chip in two dollars for every dollar raised by Rotarians. Not bad for a gathering of not-so-ordinary folks. 'What the polio eradication effort demonstrates is the power of the individual, the power of grassroots organizations to unite together around the cross to drive change and to really make a difference in the world,' Hewko said. Locally, two Calgary Rotary Clubs joined with the Flames Foundation Friday to announce a $3 million donation to build four sports zones in different communities across the city. The convention is believed to be one of the largest Calgary has ever hosted and if there's a problem to be solved in Calgary this week, it might be finding a vacant hotel room or a dinner reservation at a restaurant. All those visitors are expected to book 30,000 hotel room nights and drop around $81 million into the local economy. 'We're delighted to be here in in Calgary,' Hewko said. 'And of course, we're going to be taking advantage of the incredible hospitality of the of the people of Calgary and the City of Calgary.' Rotary International Convention 2025 continues through May 25.
The Star
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Free medical camp for underprivileged families at Cheras apartment
CHERAS: A FREE medical camp by Rotary Clubs at Pangsapuri Suakasih in Cheras, Selangor, brought much-needed healthcare services and awareness to underprivileged urban families. It was held in collaboration with the Health Ministry, National Cancer Society Malaysia and Balakong assemblyman service centre, among others. At the event held yesterday (June 21), residents could sign up for health screening and consultations which included blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, hepatitis B and C, eye checks and breast exams, among others. To boost community emergency preparedness, Rotary Clubs also donated an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). There was also a demonstration for residents to learn how to use AED and perform basic life-saving techniques such as CPR. Guest of honour Bangi MP Syahredzan Johan expressed his appreciation for grassroots healthcare and preventive initiatives. There was also a colouring contest to help raise awareness among children on dengue prevention and raising awareness on symptoms. Also present were Pangsapuri Suakasih joint management body secretary chairman M Khair Johari Ismail, secretary Hamidah Abdul Rahman and treasurer Mohamed Noorzaman Ismail. Other guests were Hulu Langat health district officer Dr Norsafinaz Mohamed and Rotary past district governor Teoh Kwan See.
CTV News
20-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Flames Foundation, Rotary Clubs team up with Parks Foundation to create 4 new sports zones across city
The Calgary Flames Foundation are teaming up with 2 Calgary Rotary Clubs and the Parks Foundation to create 4 sports zone in different communities across the city. The Calgary Flames Foundation is teaming up with the Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park and the Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown to make a $3 million gift to the community Friday that will create four new 'sports zones' in communities across the city. Each one will be a multi-purpose outdoor recreation facility -- outdoor rinks in the winter and multi-sport courts for the rest of the year. One of the sports zones will be in Pineridge, in northeast Calgary, where it will open in fall 2025. Two more will be built in Sunalta and Crossroads in the fall/winter of 2026 and a fourth in a community to be named later in the fall/winter of 2027. Each one will include built-in netting and a half-height board system to encourage inclusion and safety, as well as a bright, vibrant design that will bring a little sparkle to each community. The Flames Foundation is contributing $1 million and each from Calgary's two Rotary Clubs is also contributing $1 million. The Flames Foundation will also support low-to-no-cost programming at each Flames Rotary Sports Zone location, including after school programming, learn-to-skate and learn-to-play programs, summer programming and ball hockey. The organization will also support equipment that will be available at no cost at all four sports zones. 'The Flames Rotary Sport Zones represent exactly the kind of community-centred infrastructure that helps build stronger and healthier communities,' said Parks Foundation CEO Sheila Taylor, in a media release. 'By providing no cost programming and equipment along with these innovative amenities, we're ensuring that every child and family can participate.' 'The Flames Rotary Sports Zones will be the focal point of an engaging and vibrant community bringing youth, mentors, education, and sports enthusiasts together in a safe and supporting manner while building bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime,' said Rotary Club of Calgary at Stampede Park president Jim Bladon. The announcement came a day before the Rotary International Convention kicks off in Calgary at the BMO Centre. An estimated 17,000 Rotarians are visiting Calgary from around the world. For more information about Flames Rotary Sports Zones, go here.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
$1.5M donation gifted to RVH by local charity
One and a half million dollars is the magic number, marking a landmark donation from an ongoing decades-long collaboration between RVH and the Barrie, Huronia, and Kempenfelt Rotary Clubs on June 9, 2025. (CTV News / Christian D'Avino) Generosity and community support was on full display Monday as a massive donation to the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) rolled in. One and a half million dollars is the magic number, marking a landmark donation from a local charitable organization to our region's largest hospital. This donation signifies the ongoing decades-long collaboration between RVH and the Barrie, Huronia, and Kempenfelt Rotary Clubs. CTV News spoke with RVH's CEO about the expansion plans and how this donation fits into what the hospital is trying to achieve. President and CEO Gail Hunt told CTV News on Monday, 'This campaign is really trying to provide all of the services close to home that our community members need. It is a regional centre; we are providing lots of specialized services and as this community and this region grows in size we will be able to grow with that.' One Rotary member adding, 'We are building a piece of the world when people are comfortable and safe. Where its absent there is trouble and discord so the Rotary is a very big believer in taking care of this fundamental underlying needs for all humanity.' The Rotary Club is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to service, leadership, and friendship. Rotary clubs undertake various projects to improve local communities, such as supporting local schools, libraries, and hospitals. Rotary has a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe. This generous donation will help with the expansion of RVH to a south campus.
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Rotary has can-do attitude
South Island Rotary district governor Dave McKissock is ready to collect cans of food for project Rotary Cans For A Cause next week. PHOTO: NINA TAPU New Zealand and Pacific Island Rotary Clubs are banding together to fight food poverty in Aotearoa and the South Pacific Islands. Five Invercargill clubs are among Rotary Clubs throughout Aotearoa that have united for Rotary Cans for A Cause, an initiative to collect 1 million cans of food to support foodbanks in their communities. Sixty two South Island Rotary Clubs would be involved in the campaign spearheaded by Rotary district governor Dave McKissock. Mr McKissock said it was sad to see people in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands struggling to put food on the table. "I don't think it's right, we need . . . to support those in need," he said. Five Rotary Clubs in Invercargill are involved in the campaign and have partnered with local foodbanks, marae, charities and schools to distribute the food items. Mr McKissock said he was really excited to work with the other clubs on such an important campaign and that collecting cans would make a huge impact on the communities. "The five district governors, [including] myself, had a hui [meeting], and we discussed how we could make an impact in New Zealand and Pacific Islands to help our families and our communities," he said. "We came up with this Cans for A Cause idea and thought, that's really good because it resonates with every person in society ... how tough things are out there for families and how food needs to be put on the table." Mr McKissock hoped the community would get behind the campaign and was encouraged that people in the community would be looked after. Rotary Cans For A Cause project runs from June 9-16. Cans of food or non-perishable food can be dropped off to supporting organisations. Invercargill Salvation Army Foodbank, Southland Foodbank Charitable Trust and Kiwi Harvest will benefit from the campaign. Mr McKissock was thankful to all local organisations supporting the campaign.
