MINUTES OF MEETING OF
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Editor: Past President Dave Andrews
Meeting Called to Order at 6:30 PM: by Vice President David Mankiewicz
Grace: led by Bob Koski
Oh Lord, The Giver of All Good,
We Thank Thee for our Daily Food,
May Rotary friends and Rotary ways
Help us to Serve Thee
All our Days”
Toast to the KING : Larry Hurren
Land Acknowledgement: by Vice President David Mankiewicz
We respectfully acknowledge that the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is meeting on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nations, within the jurisdiction of the Williams Treaties. We are committed to our responsibility of stewardship, in these relationships and for this land on which we learn, share and live.
Toast to Canada: Emmy Iheme
Visiting Rotarians and Guests :
Welcome to our guest speaker Tiffany Kift, Simcoe Hall and guest Fahim Fikrat(guest of Shashi Bhatia)
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
April 6 – Happy Anniversary to Don and Maria Igbokwe
ANNOUNCEMENTS / REMINDERS:
David Mankiewicz – Welcomed back President Hilda and Al Finnigan, Ted Morrison, Larry Hurren, and Bob Stewart
Hilda – April is Organ and Tissue Donor Month and the flag will be raised at City Hall starting on Thursday, and at Durham Regional Headquarters starting on April 22
Hilda – We have no speaker for April 8 so there will be no weekly meeting at the Oshawa Golf Club. But on April 10, all 10 Rotary Clubs in Durham Region have been invited to a Tour and light meal at Grandview Kids, 1461 Harwood Ave N, Ajax, ON L1T 0R3 from 6 to 8 pm.
Hilda – Our club’s Board of Director’s Meeting and Reverse Draw meeting will be on April 8 in the McLaughlin Room at the Golf Club starting at 5 PM. The Board members will eb able to order dinner from the Golf Club menu.
Lennis Trotter – Passed around the Sign up sheet Today for the Kids Safety Village Easter Eggstravaganza – April 18 and 19 – 9:30 am to 2 pm -. if you have any student needing their community hours, this is a great opportunity for them to help. All 8,000 tickets have been reserved. It will be a busy time, both days. We need your support.
Dave Andrews - APR 26 – Rotary Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup – We will join the Oshawa Rotary Club, and the Courtice Rotary Club , and perhaps other area Rotary Clubs, Friends of the Second Marsh and our civic leaders as we help clean up the Second Marsh. Save the Date. Details will follow. 10 am to 2 pm. Be there about 9:30 am. Colonel Sam Drive, east of Harwood Ave. Are you going? Only 3 people have signed up so far. We need about 20 from our club. Please let Dave Andrews know if you are going as soon as possible. Thank you to those who have signed up. As of April 1, We still need about 10 to 12 more volunteers..
Dave Andrews - MAY 12 – 11AM Join the Rotary Club of Oshawa , In place of their regularly scheduled lunch meeting. Where: Ontario Tech University, 2000 Simcoe Street North Google Maps link ACE Who: Rotarians and Guests are welcome to attend. All names must be submitted to Amber Derby, Past President by Monday, May 5th Parking Information: When you arrive to the campus, The Automotive Centre of Excellence is on your right as you round the curve. Please park in Founders Lot 2 which is the parking lot on your left at the first stop sign. Enter the gated lot by obtaining a ticket and we will provide a chaser ticket after check-in at ACE. Enter the ACE building via the north entrance doors, pass the elevators, turn right and follow the signs to the ACE security desk. Let security know you are meeting with Heather Nelson. Please wear closed toe shoes, you will not be admitted to the tour otherwise. Sign up with Dave Andrews before May 5.
Dave Andrews - has Reverse Draw Tickets for you to sell. 80 out now. Our goal is 200 (same as last year).
We have about 25 silent auction items but we need about 50 to 55 more items. Send Dave a photo of the item and description and a Value and Dave will create a poster and post to our Facebook page. Members should start thinking about who they sold tickets to last year. Members were encouraged to think about possible sponsors for this event too. The more the merrier. Dave has supplied everyone with the silent auction items and ticket sales lists from last year, and sample “ask” letters, and promo posters for this year. May 8 will be here before we know it.
SGT AT ARMS: Ted Morrison
ACE OF SPADES: The draw was won by Shashi Bhatia. She drew the 7 of Clubs. Only 10 cards left, for next regular weekly meeting. The pot grows even bigger.
HAPPY BUCKS: Thank you to Ted Morrison for collecting our Happy Bucks.
Larry H – glad to be back. He and Kay had a tremendous cruise to the Frend Polynesian Islands. The Pacific Ocean really is huge. Thanks to Dr Raffy Chouljian for the donation of 3,000 tooth brushes and tooth paste that we can give out at the Kids Safety Village special events. Saving teeth is a very good thing.
Emmy I – a very happy $5 as he welcomed Fahim to our Rotary Club and he is very happy to see Tiffany Kift who he worked with last year on a furniture donation to refugees. Emmy is very proud of his daughter Olivia who is the green party candidate in Toronto Centre.
Shashi B – very happy that Fahim is now a member of our Rotary Club. She was also happy to see Tiffany Kift from Simcoe Hall and very happy to see all of the Rotarians back from their vacations. She was also very happy to be able to find housing for a refugee family.
Linda P - Welcome back to everyone . Welcome to Fahim . Dave Mackey (Bruce’s son) is running for election in Perth Wellington. Welcome back to Stewy too.
Hilda F – A happy $10 – thank you to Davidd Mankiewicz for chairing all of the Rotary meetings while they were in Florida and welcome to Fahim.
Bob K – Thank you to Shashi for the lovely Samosas that we had last week at the weekly meeting.
Bob S (Stewy) – Happy to be back from Florida. On the way back at an Olive Garden, he gave a large tip to the waiter. At Canada Customs they had no problem with Wheaties but were asked about baby formula. They got home safely.
Lennis T – they lost power in Port Perry on Saturday and got it back on Monday.
Al F – Glad to be back, but sad that at this time , last week, he was golfing.
David P – Lots of ice at his cottage. He will be on his way up there with a chain saw this week. He was also very glad to see Al F back too.
Ted M – Glad to be back. Not much sun in Spain for the first two weeks. But this last week was excellent.
SPEAKER: Tiffany Kift – Executive Director at Simcoe Hall
Introduced by Dave Andrews, Tiffany Kift brings a passion for community service and a strong commitment to supporting individuals and families in need. Under her leadership, Simcoe Hall has expanded its impact through essential programs, including the Food Bank, After-School Program, and seasonal initiatives that serve thousands, each year. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the community, Tiffany works tirelessly to foster meaningful connections, secure vital resources, and drive positive change.
Simcoe Hall now 90 years old, started out as the red door that immigrants would come to as they arrived in Oshawa, many by train, many years ago. Simcoe Hall originally started out as a Settlement House for helping those that were immigrating to Canada’s industrial areas. It was at this time that a man named only as Mr. Robson donated his home in Oshawa to the Women’s Welfare League who would be instrumental in supporting the aims of the Settlement House. Settlement houses were started around the world with eventually there being 20 of them. Now there’s only two left… Simcoe Hall and another one in London, England.
Simcoe Hall Settlement House, with its roots stretching back to 1935, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of community service and support in Oshawa. Over the years, as Oshawa has evolved and grown, Simcoe Hall has dynamically adapted, expanding its programs to meet the shifting needs of the local community and parts of Durham Region.
Simcoe Hall is powered by the philanthropy of local citizens and businesses alike, all united in the mission to foster self-reliance among those they serve. The suite of programs offered by Simcoe Hall not only addresses immediate needs but also empowers individuals, providing them with the necessary tools to build a sustainable and independent future.
Simcoe Hall remains a beacon of hope and solidarity, demonstrating the profound impact of community collaboration and generosity.
Tiffany started as a client of Simcoe Hall, in her teens, and remembers it as a very welcoming place when she needed it.
About 5 years ago, Tiffany left the lumber industry and looked for a real purpose and worked all jobs at Simcoe Hall, before becoming the director.
They build the food bank during Covid and it continues today by working with Feed The need in Durham, and many organizations to develop a real sense of community.
Simcoe Hall provides many resources , by working and partnering with community organizations.
They work closely with organizations and provide services to groups like Grandview Kids and they receive many referrals to Simcoe Hall..
Our Mission: We provide wellness opportunities through our food bank and programs to serve children, individuals and families who experience financial and social challenges.
Our Vision: To be part of a community that will allow children, individuals and families to experience and lead healthy, meaningful and socially responsible lives.
OUR VOLUNTEERS: VOLUNTEERS ANNUALLY = 500+; "SUPERSTAR" WEEKLY VOLUNTEERS =
18; CORPORATIONS/GROUPS/TEAMS = 86
OUR CLIENTS: MONTHLY FOOD BANK RECIPIENTS = 2,400; SENIORS INVOLVED IN WEEKLY PROGRAM = 26; CHILDREN IN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM = 50
2023 COMMUNITY IMPACT: PEOPLE SERVED = 10,000+; BACKPACKS PROVIDED TO CHILDREN =
1,700; CHILDREN RECEIVING TOYS LAST SEASON = 2,600
Their after school program (3:30 pm to 6:30 pm) costs $2 /day. Kids come from Village Union Public school. If the kids don’t have the funds, they find a way to cover the cost. They provide crafts, help with school work, and a hot meal to the kids. They also integrate their seniors program with the after school program.
They are starting a youth program that goes beyond grade 8. Leadership skills are a part of this new program and the older kids work well with the younger ones.
They offer march break and summer camp programs as well. Cost is $100 / week and again, if a kid cannot afford that, they find a way to include them.
How can we help? We can volunteer, fundraise, host food drives, find corporate sponsors for them.
Tiffany added that together, we can strengthen the community. It is so good to see what just a little help will do.
For more information, please see https://simcoehall.com/
Tiffany was thanked by Emmy Iheme..
David Mankiewicz adjourned the meeting shortly after 8:15 pm.
MORE INFORMATION IN THE CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Be sure to check out our Calendar for details.!!
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, YOU CAN MAKE UP: Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Janice Coupland, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.