The Children's Committee Still Going Strong Since Its Inception in 1926!
Steve Wright Steve Haws
As part of the Club's efforts to inform and educate both Rotarians and non-Rotarians about local and international projects and initiatives, presentations are being made during this Rotary Year as part of the weekly meeting program. Committe Chair, Steve Wright and member Steve Haws provided an overview on the committee's history and projects.
The following write-up is courtesy of the Club's LODE Committee...
The Children's Committee has a long history with the Rotary Club of North Bay: just three years after the club's founding in 1923, a program to assist “crippled children” was established. Dr. R.I. Harris, an orthopedic surgeon from Toronto, regularly came to North Bay to run clinics for parents and children.
Today, the committee's focus is to serve youth and young adults with different abilities. Families, usually through One Kids Place, submit a funding application to the committee, which has the authority to authorize projects up to $5000. Projects that exceed $5000 require Board approval. Each application is carefully vetted before approval is given.
In the past 10 years, the Committee has funded projects - from special bicycles, lifts, computers, kids bridge club, communication aids to home renovations, elevator systems and vehicle conversions - totalling $613,612. This year's budget is $67,000, of which $30,000 has been given to NADY, $18,000 to other family requests, with $17,000 yet to be granted.
The “Rotary 4 Kids, Longest Radio Show,” and Rotary at Home TV Bingo are two of the club's ongoing fundraising activities that support the work of the Children's Committee.
Many Committee members, past and present, spoke warmly about their experiences helping families, and Steve Haws said, “All committee members have to be commended for doing their utmost to meet the needs of the families we support.
Clearly, Rotary does make a difference.”