Caboto Club has made a wrong turn
Re: Caboto Club ‘comfortable in our own skin,’ says GM, by Sharon Hill, Feb. 26, 2018.
My family helped build Caboto. My father, his brothers, cousins, uncles and in-laws have been members for more than 50 years. They were pillars of strength and generosity. Most were labourers who just wanted a place to socialize with people that were familiar to them. They donated a great deal of their spare time and money to the club’s growth and community outreach. The amount of activity and sense of sharing, giving back and leadership was to be admired.
I went to Italian school on Saturdays in its basement. I played soccer for them for seven years. I even received an academic scholarship from them. Recently, my father was ill, and they sent him a monthly stipend to help with some of his medical costs. My family has sat on the board, coached handicapped soccer teams, raised countless dollars for the community all through the auspices of the club. Despite all of this, the club has made a terrible wrong turn. It is a club for the community — all of the community, not just men.
Our culture is one based on support of family. It is also one based on Christian values.
We are inclusive, we are welcoming and we are all equal.
Current members need the courage of their forefathers. They left their country for a place of better promise — a better place for their children, all of their children. Canada gave them a tax-free status to promote heritage and diversity, not exclusion. It’s time to continue to evolve and welcome our mothers, sisters, daughters, cousins and neighbours as equals.
Domenic Aversa, Newport Coast, Calif.