Rotary roots run deep in city
Members to plant 100 trees today to mark 100th anniversary of service in Lethbridge
After 100 years of Rotary service in Lethbridge, members are making another legacy contribution to the city.
They’ll be planting 100 trees today in a westside park, as part of their centenary celebrations through June.
“There have been hundreds of Rotary projects in Lethbridge through the past 100 years,” says Pat Killoran, chair of the Rotary 100th Anniversary committee.
The latest project, set for 2 p.m. in Nicholas Sheran Park, will see club members create a new grove — a mixture of trees native to Canada — west of the lake. Killoran says representatives of 10 local Rotary units, including five student groups and five yearround clubs, will plant the first trees.
The event will also include comments and congratulations from Rotary’s international vice-president, Dean Rohrs.
Park improvements have been one of many focuses for Rotary members over the year, Killoran notes.
Children’s spray parks in Galt Gardens and at the Henderson Lake pool, a picnic shelter at the northside soccer complex, and Rotary Park on the city’s westside are some of the more recent additions.
Lethbridge Rotary clubs have also supported construction of a playground at the Sugar Bowl and the public plaza alongside Casa. They’re also recognized for their seniors’ Christmas dinner, their historic links with the Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, and for the Rotary Dragonboat Festival every June.
“Local clubs are also involved in international projects,” Killoran points out.
Many southern Albertans have heard about the Los Amigos project — taking used ambulances, firetrucks and handibuses to rural areas in Mexico — as well as their support of schools in Nepal, Malawi and Mexico.
Health and medical projects have also been important, with local Rotarians supporting initiatives in India, Costa Rica and Nepal. Rotary International — with about 1.2 million members in more than 34,000 clubs — has been a leader in the fight to eliminate polio world-wide.
While the city’s first Rotary club traces its roots to 1918 at the local YMCA, there are now 10 clubs or affiliates in the city. Killoran says about 200 men and women are participating in the Lethbridge East, Lethbridge Sunrise, Urban Spirit or Lethbridge Mosaic clubs, along with the original Rotary Club of Lethbridge.
In addition, Lethbridge clubs mentor five Interact (age 12-18) or Rotaract groups (age 18-30) for young people in high school or post-secondary education.
Each has its own focus and projects, Killoran adds. Each is providing “fellowship and opportunities to improve the community” through their many and varied projects.
Those accomplishments will be celebrated later Saturday, during a reception and presentation at the Sandman Signature. Killoran says well-known Lethbridge people, featured in pre-taped skits, will highlight some of the Rotary members’ achievements over the past century.
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