President Elena welcomed all to this our second meeting of the Rotary year.
Letter from DG Susanne Zbinden
The following letter was received from District Governor Susanne Zbinden:
Dear Members of the Kitchener Rotary Club,
I want to again thank you for your very kind invitation to this year's Club Turnover and Awards Evening on Monday, July 7, 2025. It was my sincere pleasure to attend this event and to get to meet many of your members in person.
I am looking forward to visiting your club again for one of your meetings or to attend one of your events.
Thank you all for everything you do in Kitchener, in the District and beyond.
Yours in Rotary,
Susanne Zbinden
District Governor 2025-26
Rotary Club of Orangeville Highlands
519-217-6918
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are still needed to assist with the Easter Seals Celebrity Golf Tournament.
Deer Ridge Golf Course - Monday August 11
Responsibilities will include:
Running a hole activity, giving out samples, being a hole in one spotter
This is a 7-hour commitment including buffet breakfast, lunch, snacks and refreshments
Kids Welcome - volunteer hours available!
Contact Louise Gardiner for more information or to express an interest.
Youth Exchange
Boyd Pendleton reported that our exchange student Saimi has returned home safely.
Our program today was an update on the work of our Ukraine Committee, presented by committee Chair, Oksana Tereshchenko,
Oksana provided a detailed overview of the work of the committee since its beginnings in 2023. The Kitchener Rotary Club formed the Ukrainian Support Committee at the end of 2022 to respond to the urgent needs of the Ukrainian newcomers fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking safety place in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. The committee began by providing support for Ukrainians living locally but more recently have provided direct support, with other partners, to a Children’s Hospital in Ukraine.
Here are some highlights from her presentation:
POWWR Pickleball Tournament
This initial fundraising event, in collaboration with POWWR association, in October 2023 brought the community together for a day of sport and culture.
- 100 participants - Local pickleball enthusiasts joined in solidarity
- $3,500 Raise - From tournament registrations and sponsorships, spent $805 in expenses
- $583 also raised - through a Ukrainian Funfair - Additional net proceeds from souvenirs, art, and baked goods
- From the USC budget and funds collected from the Pickleball Tournament, we used $1,570 for three-season Pickleball Youth Program lessons
"Friends of Ukraine" Art Calendar
We organized an art contest bringing together 24 children from Ukraine and Kitchener-Waterloo to share their visions of peace, home, and friendship through artwork.
- Children aged 6-14 submitted original artwork
- Local printing company donated partial production costs
- Community members pre-ordered calendars
- $1,320 raised after production expenses
- "Art speaks when words cannot. These calendars allowed children to express their hopes while raising funds for continued support."
- We allocated $443 from calendar funds to send special gifts to the 24 children who contributed artwork.
- Each gift package included quality coloured pencils, sketchbooks, Canadian souvenirs and personalized thank-you notes acknowledging their contribution.
CPR Training for PLAST Teachers
In April 2024, we sponsored first aid training for 10 teachers from the Ukrainian Scouts (PLAST) organization.
Canadian Health & Safety Education provided professional CPR certification, equipping these educators with critical skills for youth supervision.
Ukrainian Library Establishment and Support
We donated over 80 Ukrainian-language books to the Ukrainian Catholic Church library, supporting language preservation and cultural connection.
- Children's literature
- Ukrainian classics
- Contemporary fiction
- Educational resources
Youth CPR Training
Building on our success with educator training, we expanded first aid education to Ukrainian youth.
- 18 PLAST teens completed CPR certification in May 2025
- Two intensive training sessions
Youth Outdoor Navigation
- 10 professional compasses donated for wilderness activities
- Empowering youth with practical life skills
Medical Equipment for Children Hospital in Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Part of Mykolaiv region was under occupation from March to November 2022.
The city and the overall region suffer from frequent air-strikes.
- Mykolaiv Children's Hospital Project
This project represents our largest humanitarian initiative to date, directly supporting frontline healthcare for children in a region severely impacted by the conflict.
$10,000 – to supply critical medical equipment to Mykolaiv Children's Hospital in Ukraine. Funds received from Rotary Project Partnership Fund (5 Clubs) and the Ukraine Relief Fund of Kitchener Conestoga Rotary
Successfully installed 3 vital signs monitors in the pediatric intensive care unit, with assistance of Charity fund “Kindness and Trust”, immediately improving care for critically ill children.
Completed delivery of additional equipment and conducted remote training sessions for medical staff on equipment operation and maintenance.
Thank You for Your Support
Rotary Project Partnership Fund (5 Clubs) and the Ukraine Relief Fund of Kitchener Conestoga Rotary
Special thanks to Bill Carter, Tom Mennill, Elena Shpinel,Ray Taylor, Louise Gardiner, Michael Ellis, Richard Bruckeder, and the entire Kitchener Rotary Club
POWWR, Crema Pastry, Canadian Health & Safety Education, Charity Fund “Kindness and Trust”
Those who donated countless hours of service. Special thanks to Yulia Polyakova – future member of our Club
- Your compassion has made a meaningful difference in the lives of Ukrainian newcomers in our community and children abroad. Together, we've raised over $14,155 and implemented 10 distinct support initiatives during the last two years.
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
