Rotaryflagfliesatcityhall
Flag-raising honours 100 years of local service
Acity hall flag-raising Monday helped celebrate 100 years of Rotary Club service to Lethbridge. The mid-morning event, attended by members of the city’s five Rotary groups and their student affiliates, came a day after the successful Rotary Dragon Boat Festival concluded at Henderson Lake. Earlier this month, members planted 100 trees in Nicholas Sheran Park to commemorate the 100-year anniversary.
But there’s more to come, says Mandy DeCecco-Kalebaba, president of the original Rotary Club of Lethbridge.
The club will soon be inviting other Lethbridge organizations to submit funding requests in support of further community initiatives, she says.
“We hope to announce that this summer,” she said, with results released in the fall.
This latest Rotary program would add to an impressive list of causes and projects stretching back to 1919 — when members collected books to stock the city’s new public library.
“Rotary has been an integral participant with the City of Lethbridge for the past century,” said Mayor Chris Spearman.
It’s provided permanent improvements like children’s spray parks and playgrounds, along with high-profile events like the dragon boat races.
“We would be a poorer city without the participation of Rotary.”
Symbolizing that long-term involvement, club member Dale Mercer — the city’s longestserving Rotarian — was asked to raise the flag as the ceremony ended.
First joining in Medicine Hat, he continued his service when he moved to Lethbridge in 1976. Some of the highlights over the years, Mercer said, include youth programs sponsored by Rotary, and working with Rotary in other communities to designate Waterton Lakes National Park and the adjoining Glacier National Park as international peace park.
And Rotarians around the world, Mercer pointed out, are continuing their work to totally eradicate polio.
With members of all ages, from so many different backgrounds, DeCeccoKalebaba said the five Lethbridge clubs always welcome new members.
“Rotary is for anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.”
Follow @DMabellHerald on Twitter