Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest Gala Dinner and Auction raises $123,445 for this small, unique charity 

TORONTO, ON (April 25, 2012) -- On Saturday, March 17th, the Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest produced another outstanding Gala Dinner and Auction, raising over $246,891 in total for their charity beneficiary, Hope Air, and for their own local community programs. This amount set a new record for this event!   

"Hope Air is amazed at the outstanding generosity of the Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest sponsors and attendees," says Hope Air Executive Director Doug Keller-Hobson. "These funds will provide flights for financially-disadvantaged children and adults in Newfoundland and Labrador to get to specialized healthcare. This support will make a real difference in the lives of many!" 

Our 2012 Gala Dinner and Auction held on March 17 was a huge success.  Today we presented our partner in this year’s auction, Hope Air, with a cheque for half the proceeds from the event...$123,445.50.  Yes, that is right; our net profit from the event was $246,891!  A big thank you to all our sponsors and everyone who supported our event by attending or donating items.  Thank you for helping us make a difference in our community!   Pictured L-R: Carman Carroll, President of the Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest, Doug Keller-Hobson, Executive Director of Hope Air, Charlie Stacey, Auction Co-Chair, Jim Burton, Auction Co-Chair

Megan Howse from O'Donel High School was the winner of the 2012 Annual Speak-off held by the Rotary club of St. John's Northwest on March 6, 2012. As the winner, Megan gets to participate in the annual Adventure in Citizenship program hosted by the Rotary Club of Ottawa. The program, now in its 62nd year, promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of citizenship in Canada. Megan will spend 4 days in our nation's capital with participants from all across the county.  Runner-up for the competition was Kaitlyn Stockley of Holy Spirit High School.  Special thank you to our judges; Peter Jackson, Carol Wadden and Rolf Pritchard (pictured with Megan).  Congratulations Megan and have a great time in Ottawa!

Our annual Food Drive in partnership with PWC School was held on October 1^st.  It was a beautiful Saturday morning as we knocked on the doors of homes in the St. John’s area.  Approximately 100 people participated and by lunchtime the shelves were restocked at the Salvation Army Food Bank.  Special thanks to The Telegram, MUN Rotaract and Gonzaga for joining us.  Congratulations to everyone involved!!

Since 1985, Rotary club members around the world have helped immunize over two billion children against polio. The Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest is proud to be a part of this life-saving initiative.

Visit http://www.rotary.org/endpolio to learn more about how you can join us in the fight to help end polio.

Are you or do you know a young professional between the ages of 25 and 40 who is making a positive impact on their chosen vocation and in their community?  If so, apply or nominate them for the Northwest Rotary Aidan Maloney Emerging Professionals Award.  

Application deadline is September 23, 2011. 

Please click here for the application.

Please note: Rotarians are not eligible for this award. 

The Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest is proud to support Team Broken Earth, a team of 30 professionals from Eastern health who are travelling to Haiti in July 2011 to provide much needed medical services. 

Their objectives are to provide the following:

1. Medical: Direct care
2. Education: ongoing training of Haitian physicians and allied health workers
3. Supplies: medication, and medical supplies.

For more information visit their website: http://www.brokenearth.ca

From May 12-15, 2011 Rotarians from District 7820 gathered in St. John's for the annual district convention hosted by 2010-2011  District Governor Mark Brown.  Rotarians were treated to a program of inspiring speakers including; Jackie Hobal, Ron & Claire Noseworthy (Shelterbox), Geoff Eaton (Young Adult Cancer Canada), and TA Loeffler.  Breakout session provided insight into many Rotary programs.  Fun and Fellowship was also a priority as convention delegates were treated to a night on George Street as well as performances by Shallaway and Lady Cove throughout the weekend.  

Andrea Stack, President of St. John's Northwest Rotary, presents a cheque  for $50,000 to Alice Kennedy, VP, with responsibility for long term care, Eastern Health.  The $50,000 was raised at the Rotary Club of St. John's Northwest 7th Annual Celebrity Gala Dinner and Auction held on March 19, 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel.  The $50,000 will go to the Hoyles Escasoni Complex for the purchase of pressure-relief mattresses to help the residents of the facility. 

Gail Gosse, Past President and Heddy Peddle, Director of Community Service with St. John’s Northwest Rotary present a cheque for $50,000 to Wendolyn Schlamp, Project Coordinator at Marguerite's Place.  The cheque represents a $25,000 commitment made to Marguerite's Place in 2008 and an addition commitment of $25,000 made in 2010.

This spring the doors will open to Marguerite’s Place, a new facility in St. John’s which will offer affordable, fully accessible programming and supportive housing to women in the St. John’s area.   The new facility, named in memory of friend and volunteer, Marguerite Dyson, will operate under an independent living philosophy and in a manner that respects the diverse experiences and needs of individual women. 

The Gonzaga Interact club started meeting in September and has quickly become a very active, productive club.  The club has already completed two successful fundraising initiatives and has donated proceeds to the AIDS Centre in St. John’s.  Members of the sponsoring club of St. John’s Northwest Rotary joined in the Charter Celebration with the Interact members on February 7, 2011.   

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting.    

St. John’s Northwest Rotary President Andrea Stack and Past-President Wendy Scammell present a cheque for $50,000 to Cathy Bennett, Director, Vice-Chair and Chair of Fundraising and Communication Committee RMHNL.  St. John’s NW Rotary is proud to support the Ronald McDonald House as it works to provide a comfortable environment for sick children and their families while they receive necessary medical treatment.