Do you want to make a difference? Do you want to change the world or make your neighbourhood a better place to live? If you do, then check out the Rotary Club of Aldergrove. Members of this Club are making a difference in Aldergrove, in Langley and in communities around the world.
The club was chartered in 1991 and has 30 members. Aldergrove Rotarians are proud of their community and it shows. That’s why many of their activities are local. Club members ensure that the street banners along the main street of Aldergrove are well maintained and changed according to the season. The club was instrumental in partnering with the Township of Langley to complete the community picnic shelter and Rotary Field House at Aldergrove Athletic Park. They are part of the Adopt-A-Street Program and every Christmas members put up the festive lights to get Aldergrove ready for the holiday season.
This active service club believes in empowering families and in particular it focuses on the communities’ youth. For the past 13 years the club has dedicated over $75,000 to support youth literacy. The club has helped sustain a number of programs directed at elementary school students in need of a hand up. This year, for example three students are being sponsored to attend a literacy camp at Betty Gilbert Elementary School.
To support youth leadership and education the club provides major scholarships to students graduating from Aldergrove Community Senior Secondary and D.W. Poppy Secondary School. The club also sends students to Ottawa every year to attend the Adventures in Citizenship Program.
To help youth at risk, the club has partnered with the Aldergrove Neighborhood Services Society to establish the 272 Youth Homelessness Initiative. Building 272 is a place for young people to hang out in a safe and supportive environment. In addition, club members know that hunger impacts a child’s ability to learn, so they have assisted financially with the breakfast program at Shortreed Elementary School.
This year, Rotary International’s theme is Peace Through Service. To embody this theme the club is focusing on a wide variety of service projects in the community and around the world. “As local Rotarians we work through the world-wide Rotary movement to change lives and we make the world a better place through our volunteer service and efforts.” said Charlie Fox, the club’s president.
Internationally, for the past 12 years the club has been instrumental in bringing water well systems, latrines and smokeless stoves to remote areas of Nepal. Every year the proceeds from the annual golf tournament go directly to this cause and this spring two club members will visit Nepal to see firsthand the work made possible because of the club’s support. The Rotary Club of Aldergrove regularly partners with the other three Rotary clubs in Langley to help improve health care in Zimbabwe and club member Katy Lowen and her family went to Zimbabwe to visit the people whose lives were made better by this project.
The Rotary Club of Aldergrove celebrates excellence in business and annually recognizes a person or business who exemplifies excellence and the ideals of Rotary. This year a Vocational Award was presented to the Vancouver Game Farm General Manager, Jody Henderson.
The Rotary Club of Aldergrove has raised and distributed over half a million dollars and the members have fun doing it. Fellowship and camaraderie are important values to Rotary Clubs. “Making the community and the world a better place strengthens friendships and builds relationships. Rotary is a service club whose business is mankind and whose product is service. Being a Rotarian is an opportunity to make a difference. Consider joining us.” added president Charlie Fox. “Absolutely” added president-elect Sean Davis
The Rotary Club of Aldergrove meets Friday mornings for friendship,
fellowship and business at 7:10 a.m. at the Best Western White Spot in Aldergrove, 3070- 264th Street. For more information call President Charlie Fox at 604-533-3352.