A golden anniversary celebration planned for Rotary Club of Cambridge North

It’s a golden anniversary for the Rotary Club of Cambridge North.

To celebrate 50 years, the club is tentatively planning a celebration in June, after already holding a celebratory lunch. The club is hoping for at least 200 people to attend.

The Rotary Club of Cambridge North was formed in January 1974, led by lawyer and Rotary Club of Preston-Hespeler member Peter Sturdy, who wanted to start a new club to complete additional volunteer service and fundraising in the newly amalgamated City of Cambridge.

Other original members of the club include Punch Harvey, Charles Fogel, Douglas Mitten, David Mitten, Bert Boone and Jim Ott.

During the club’s 50 years, 47 individuals have led as president, with Dean Fitzgerald currently in the role.

In five decades, the Rotary Club helped complete renovations at buildings for KidsAbil-ity, the Cambridge Food Bank and Langs.

As well, members drive individuals to medical appointments, assist at schools, volunteer for cleanups and tree planting at parks, and helped create the Bechtel Park gazebo.

Beyond Cambridge, the north Cambridge club has also contributed to numerous international projects, including building schools and libraries in the Dominican Republic, installing water wells in South America, buying books for libraries in Africa, and helping with the Rotary International worldwide eradication of Polio.

The club is asking former Rotary Club of Cambridge North members to reach out and to celebrate collective accomplishments.

To learn more about the 50th anniversary celebration, email Dean Fitzgerald at dean.fitzgerald.rotary@gmail.com.