Minutes of the Meeting of the Richmond Hill Rotary Club, September 29, 2014

Chair: Dr. Emmanuel A

Rotary Minute: Paul T on the Importance of Fellowship within Rotary

Announcements:

Dr. Emmanuel A:  Sunday Nov 9 will be the Festival of Praise and Remembrance concert honouring our vets.  Tickets are $25/adult, $20/senior/child.  Please reserve your seats now.

Jason C: Please start to enter your items for the TV Auction.  Also, there are two more Debates amongst the candidates for the Municipal Election coming up.  Thursday, October 2 is the debate for Regional Concillors.  Tuesday, October 7 is the debate for Mayor.

Keynote Presentation: Daniella Ballan and Louise Wilson from St.Vincent de Paul Society.

They have 1200 volunteers in the Greater Toronto Area

Their services are aimed at the homeless, immigrants, working poor, drug addicts, seniors, and others in need.

97% of funds raised go the poor

Daniella and Louise’s group, consisting of 30 volunteers, cover only a subset of Richmond Hill.  Last year, they made 508 visits to 100 people/families in need.

They have a used/winter coat campaign.  Last year they collected 1500 coats.  Many people lined up to choose a coat.  The extra coats were provided to one of their partners, the Salvation Army, for distribution.

They also provide a Christmas Party to the poor, where they have a turkey meal, crafts for the kids, visit from Santa, with stocked hampers and gifts.