Rotary Club of St. Marys
Welcome to the Rotary Club of St. Marys
St. Marys

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Rotary Parkview building
22 St. Andrews St. N., St. Marys
Parkview Hall, lower level east entrance
St. Marys, ON N4X 1C5
Canada
2nd & 4th Monday (see MEETINGS below) - attend via Zoom by emailing the Secretary
MEETINGS
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Feb 24, 2025 6:30 PM
Service Club Night - area service clubs hosted at Rotary Hall
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Mar 10, 2025 6:30 PM
Assembly
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Mar 24, 2025 6:30 PM
Speaker TBD
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Apr 14, 2025 6:30 PM
Assembly
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Apr 28, 2025 6:30 PM
Speaker TBD
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
May 12, 2025 6:30 PM
Assembly
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
May 26, 2025 6:30 PM
Speaker TBD
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Jun 09, 2025 6:30 PM
Speaker TBD
Rotary Hall Dinner Meeting
Jun 23, 2025 6:30 PM
Speaker TBD
Home Page Stories
 
Rotary Exchange student Clara (Belgium) recently spent a few days in our Nations Capital Ottawa.
Hosted by Ed Parkinson’s sister in Law Shannon Matheson and her family. Shannon herself was an exchange student (Finland 1986/87)
A great time to visit during Winterlude Clara was able to visit the ice sculptures, House of Commons, the senate, The Museum of History in Gatineau Quebec, hot chocolate at Chateau Laurier, taste a Beaver tail and experience an outdoor hot tub during a cold Ottawa evening.
Clara had a true Canadian winter experience!
 
Click Read more... to see more photos.
 
 
Snowmobiling is the latest Canadian winter activity experience for RYE student Clara (Belgium).  Thanks to Rotarian Charlie for providing this opportunity.
 
Andrew Middleton made a presentation asking for the club's endorsement of this project as our signature international project to celebrate our 100th anniversary.  The aim of the project at Mugoiri Secondary School 30 miles north of Nairobi, Kenya with 450 students, is to change this:
 
to this:
RYE student Clara (Belgium) expanded her Canadian winter activities experience with the assistance of Rotarians Ron and Pierre.  Clara has curled and went downhill skiing and now she has experienced ice skating.
Diane O’Shea presents a cheque to the Comfort Committee of the Stonetown Quilters Guild on behalf of the Rotary Club of St. Marys. The money will be used specifically to buy quilt batting for baby and children’s quilts that will be given to Stratford Hospital.

Chris and Sonya from United Way presented an overview of their organization’s mission to address community challenges. They highlighted key projects and programs, focusing on food security, mental health support, and education initiatives aimed at improving quality of life for vulnerable populations.

During the meeting, President Mark presented a $5,000 check to United Way, and $2,000 specifically allocated to support the Nourish Market, further reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to community collaboration and impact.

Rotarians cooked up 20 litres of delicious, nutritious vegetable homemade soup this morning. The vegetables for the soup were sourced from Nourish market. The packaged soup, once frozen, will be donated to the local food bank. Our special thanks to The Sunset Diner and Towne and Country Cheese Shoppe for donating the soup containers.
 
Fresh soup
 
The Rotary Club of St. Marys congratulates Claire Dunbar, our next outbound exchange student! Claire learned this past Thursday evening that she’s been assigned to Denmark. She will leave sometime in August 2025 for her 10-month exchange. Claire is currently a student at St. Marys DCVI.

Hav en god udveksling i Danmark Claire! Vi er alle så stolte af dig!
Computer screen showing Zoom meeting
 

Cindy Benning, representing Rotary District 6330’s International Services Committee, outlined the committee’s mission to support impactful international projects by connecting clubs with resources, facilitating grants, and sharing expertise. She highlighted three goals for 2024–2025: developing a resource network, assessing club engagement, and increasing participation in international projects. Cindy explained Rotary’s funding model, noting over $100,000 available for global and district grants, and acknowledged St. Marys’ contributions, including projects in Kenya, Colombia, and Uganda. She encouraged Rotarians to join the committee, donate, and share their stories to amplify Rotary’s global impact.

AI generated image of people making soup
 
Diane and Andrew are leading a Micro Service Project! On January 20th, we’ll prepare and package delicious vegetable soup for the Salvation Army Food Bank, using donated and fresh ingredients.
Gary Cumming pins Bernie Vandook as new member of St Marys Rotary
 
At our Monday, January 6th meeting, Bernie Vandonk was inducted into the Rotary Club of St. Marys. He was sponsored by Gary Cumming, who is shown pinning Gary. Assistant Governor Kirk Riehl inducted Bernie into the club.
The Rotary Club of St. Marys proudly honoured Grant Barton with the "Service Above Self Award"—our club's highest recognition for exemplary service and dedication.
 
A devoted Rotarian for an incredible **47 years**, Grant has embodied Rotary's values through tireless efforts in our community and beyond. From being a founding board member of the Parkview Seniors’ Complex to organizing the Dragon Boat Races and countless other projects.
 
His leadership, commitment, and compassion have made a lasting impact on St. Marys.
 

The Rotary Club of St. Marys proudly unveiled a plaque honouring the club’s 100 Presidents, generously donated by Rotarian Claire Sherwin and his wife Mary. This plaque commemorates the men and women whose leadership shaped the club's history and includes a holder for one of the symbolic walking sticks crafted by the late PDG Maurice Oliver. These cherished canes, rich in Rotary symbolism, celebrate service and tradition, reflecting the legacy of dedication that continues to inspire the Rotary community.

 
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Community Service
Foundation Chair
Membership Chair
Club Administration
Youth Services
Youth Exchange Officer
Director
Sergeant-at-Arms (Prime)
Executive Secretary
Web Administrator
Member Access
Zoom Recordings and Photo Albums
(Member Login Required)