KidsAbility - Proudly Founded and Supported by Rotarians since 1957
In 1957 the Cornerstone for the KW Rotary Children’s Centre on King Street across from Grand River Hospital was laid by charter Club member, Lieutenant-Governor Louis Breithaupt and Clay Hall, the President of the Rotary Club of Kitchener-Waterloo (as it was known at that time). The Centre was officially opened March 24th, 1958, with Kitchener Mayor Stanley Leavine and Waterloo Mayor Harold Paikin officiating.
In 1986, the KidsAbility Board began planning for a new Children’s Centre to accommodate growth and increased demand. The Rotary Club of Kitchener pledged $150,000 towards the $6.9 million cost of the new 50,000 square foot building which was officially opened on September 29, 1995 at 500 Hallmark Drive in Waterloo.
Our financial support for KidsAbility continues to this day with an average annual donation of $30,000. Since 1998 our total contribution exceeds $1,500,000.