Posts by Rotary Club of Fonthill

The Rotary Club of Fonthill was chartered on June 11, 1991 under the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Welland. Charter President Gayle Baltjes led a team of 25 people to join the service groups of Fonthill. Many people have come and gone through Rotary over the years, and our current membership stands at 36. Gail Levay is the only active Charter Member remaining in the club. The largest fundraising effort by the Club was the 2005 drive to raise $100,000 for the provision of new uniforms and instruments for the E. L. Crossley S.S. Marching Band. Other past successes are the construction of the welcome sign for Fonthill and Club participation in the creation of the Steve Bauer Trail, a recreational trail for walking and cycling, which passes through the community and links to Welland. More recently, the Club was involved in securing a Trillium Grant for the sound system for the Fonthill Bandshell. In summer, free music performances of all types are offered on Thursday evenings for the whole community. Rotary also sponsors one of these very successful events. In fact, the Club chose to feature a representation of the bandshell on our Club banner, created in 2010. The Club is very proud of the annual Canada Day Rotary Event in the Park which has grown since 2005 to be the place to bring young children for fun games, “bouncey castles,” and simple crafts, both before and after the Canada Day Parade. Since 2008, the Club has committed to providing funds to seek a permanent home and funding for Pelham Cares, a community service organization that includes a local food bank, transportation to medical appointments and subsidy programs for sports and camps for underprivileged children. Project Pelham Cares was spear-headed by the Rotary Club of Fonthill and quickly drew support from many others in the community. After several years without success, the process was kicked into high gear in 2013 with the recent purchase of a suitable building. We continue to support literacy in the community by the donation of funds to the local library, to be used where library staff see the greatest need.