Community Service-
Jim Peden, Director
Jim Peden, Director
Community : Four Avenues of Service
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ROTARY CLUB of PERTH
| "Service Above Self" |
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Merrywood Camp
Among the first projects undertaken by the
newly formed Perth Rotary Club in the late
1940's was supporting Camp Merrywood on
Big Rideau Lake. The late Hon. John A.
Stewart and his wife Jessie donated the
spacious grounds to what was then called
the Ontario Society for Crippled Children
(now known as the Easter Seal Society).
In order to fundraise to finance Camp
maintenance and improvements, some
innovative proposals were made. Under
Rotarian 'Dinty' Moore, long-time local Bank
of Montreal manager, the 'Mile of Pennies'
event occurred in late spring over a number
of years. Citizens were challenged to
contribute pennies to line the sidewalks
(both sides) of Gore Street. Dinty would
insure that the bank had lots of rolled
pennies on hand to 'convert' donors' silver
and bills. There are approximately 16
pennies (laid end-to-end) to a foot and a
linear mile would equal $844.80--give or take
a dollar or two--an impressive sum a
half-century ago!
However, it is known that, quite apart from
annual contributions, the Perth Rotarians
(especially Howard Foley) gave much in free
labour and expertise, painting, repairing, etc.
Club members also contributed a Vista 14
sailboat, a Honda portable generator and, on
the Club's 50th anniversary in 1997, a Dodge
truck with a snowplow. Since the Camp then
had a year-round facility built with the help of
a $50,000 donation from the Perth Club, the
balance used on the decking behind the new
hall. Under Howard Foley's supervision, a
16-foot square shelter was recently erected
at the Camp's Bass Lake property.
The Mile of Pennies event was
supplemented then supplanted by a vigorous
mail-out program (Rotarians suffering
tongue cuts and cuticle damage from
envelope stuffing!) Non-Rotarian Mary
Ferguson (sister of Kay Elliott) gave about 40
years of dedicated service keeping mailing
lists current and complete and preparing the
correspondence. In the year of her death
(1993) she was awarded the Paul Harris
Medal in appreciation of her loyal support.
About that time, Easter Seals fundraising
became centralized. However, local Rotarian
fund-raising events for Merrywood
continue--the caboose raffle organized by
Rotarian Ralph Fish a few years ago,
strawberry socials at the Bandstand and the
Last Duel Park food booth for the June
Rideau Lakes bicycle tour are examples.
This month (March 2002) $800 was raised
for Easter Seals through a CKWS telethon,
all donations coming from Perth Rotarians
and others.
Among the first projects undertaken by the
newly formed Perth Rotary Club in the late
1940's was supporting Camp Merrywood on
Big Rideau Lake. The late Hon. John A.
Stewart and his wife Jessie donated the
spacious grounds to what was then called
the Ontario Society for Crippled Children
(now known as the Easter Seal Society).
In order to fundraise to finance Camp
maintenance and improvements, some
innovative proposals were made. Under
Rotarian 'Dinty' Moore, long-time local Bank
of Montreal manager, the 'Mile of Pennies'
event occurred in late spring over a number
of years. Citizens were challenged to
contribute pennies to line the sidewalks
(both sides) of Gore Street. Dinty would
insure that the bank had lots of rolled
pennies on hand to 'convert' donors' silver
and bills. There are approximately 16
pennies (laid end-to-end) to a foot and a
linear mile would equal $844.80--give or take
a dollar or two--an impressive sum a
half-century ago!
However, it is known that, quite apart from
annual contributions, the Perth Rotarians
(especially Howard Foley) gave much in free
labour and expertise, painting, repairing, etc.
Club members also contributed a Vista 14
sailboat, a Honda portable generator and, on
the Club's 50th anniversary in 1997, a Dodge
truck with a snowplow. Since the Camp then
had a year-round facility built with the help of
a $50,000 donation from the Perth Club, the
balance used on the decking behind the new
hall. Under Howard Foley's supervision, a
16-foot square shelter was recently erected
at the Camp's Bass Lake property.
The Mile of Pennies event was
supplemented then supplanted by a vigorous
mail-out program (Rotarians suffering
tongue cuts and cuticle damage from
envelope stuffing!) Non-Rotarian Mary
Ferguson (sister of Kay Elliott) gave about 40
years of dedicated service keeping mailing
lists current and complete and preparing the
correspondence. In the year of her death
(1993) she was awarded the Paul Harris
Medal in appreciation of her loyal support.
About that time, Easter Seals fundraising
became centralized. However, local Rotarian
fund-raising events for Merrywood
continue--the caboose raffle organized by
Rotarian Ralph Fish a few years ago,
strawberry socials at the Bandstand and the
Last Duel Park food booth for the June
Rideau Lakes bicycle tour are examples.
This month (March 2002) $800 was raised
for Easter Seals through a CKWS telethon,
all donations coming from Perth Rotarians
and others.
Perth & Smiths Falls Hospital
One key area of local community support is
our recent commitment of $12,500
donation to the Perth and Smiths Falls
District Hospital Capital campaign for their
Smiths Falls site redevelopment.
Construction will begin in 2006.
The $23 million project will include:
the construction of a new hospital wing
and the revitalization of the entire hospital;
three new operating suites, new birthing
rooms, recovery rooms, new x-ray and
ambulatory care areas to improve patient
care; and
better health care delivery and service to
40,000 area residents.
The $23 million project at the Smiths Falls
site brings with it tremendous promise for
the communities served by the Hospital.
With support from government, area
businesses, service clubs, and
individuals, Perth and Smiths Falls District
Hospital will build a facility that ensures
another 100 years of quality health care.
One key area of local community support is
our recent commitment of $12,500
donation to the Perth and Smiths Falls
District Hospital Capital campaign for their
Smiths Falls site redevelopment.
Construction will begin in 2006.
The $23 million project will include:
the construction of a new hospital wing
and the revitalization of the entire hospital;
three new operating suites, new birthing
rooms, recovery rooms, new x-ray and
ambulatory care areas to improve patient
care; and
better health care delivery and service to
40,000 area residents.
The $23 million project at the Smiths Falls
site brings with it tremendous promise for
the communities served by the Hospital.
With support from government, area
businesses, service clubs, and
individuals, Perth and Smiths Falls District
Hospital will build a facility that ensures
another 100 years of quality health care.
Adopt a Road
The Rotary Club of Perth was the first service
club in the area to sign on
with the County in the Perth area to start a
twice yearly road clean up. The
need for this service was a result of cutbacks
to municipal budgets.
We usually try to have our cleanup in May and
October. The Rotary Club is
responsible for a one mile stretch of County
Road 10 (North Street or also
known as the Second Line) extending from
the railroad tracks to Spence Side
Road.
.
The Rotary Club of Perth was the first service
club in the area to sign on
with the County in the Perth area to start a
twice yearly road clean up. The
need for this service was a result of cutbacks
to municipal budgets.
We usually try to have our cleanup in May and
October. The Rotary Club is
responsible for a one mile stretch of County
Road 10 (North Street or also
known as the Second Line) extending from
the railroad tracks to Spence Side
Road.
.
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