In 1936, Governor
Walwyn laid the cornerstone for the Rotary
Sunshine Park at Hogan's Pond. For many
years to follow, the Club raised the funds
and members and groups made in-kind
contributions to develop the park for the
use of handicapped and underprivileged
children.
In 1971, during the Club's Golden
Anniversary, the Park was turned over to the
City of St. John's to administer. Today, the
park continues to be improved in partnership
with City Council.
In 1937, the Club
started an annual Radio Auction to raise
funds for the Sunshine Park and its many
other community service projects; it was a
popular event well into the 1980's, was held
as a television event for two years and
continues currently as the Spring (live and
silent) Auction at Hotel Newfoundland.
In 1944, the
members were instrumental in establishing
the Newfoundland Chapter of the Tuberculosis
Association and in 1951, the first
Newfoundland Branch of the Victorian Order
of Nurses.
In the late 1950s,
the Club assisted with the establishment of
the CNIB Army Cadet Corps 2515, the first of
its kind in the country. The Corps is still
supported by the Stokers Group. During its
history, the Club has sponsored numerous
other youth organizations - army, sea and
air cadet corps, boys and girls clubs, etc.
In the 1960s, the
Club established the Rehabilitation Council
and the Mental Health Association of
Newfoundland.
In the 1980s, the
Club raised funds for the acquisition of an
emergency response vehicle for the General
Hospital and established the Lifeline
Emergency Alert project for senior citizens
and the Emergency Alert Foundation. This
vital service now extends across the
province and serves over 400 clients.
In 1992, the Club
undertook an ambitious fundraising project
and, combined with in-kind contributions,
established the Iris Kirby House in St.
John's, a shelter and resource centre for
female victims of family violence.
In 1997-98, in
partnership with other Clubs in the region,
we raised the funds to purchase a Cavitron
Aspirator, a vital brain surgery tool, for
the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's.
A major project,
which began in 1999, raised $50,000 in funds
and in-kind support to help establish an
Autism Resource Centre for Newfoundland and
Labrador.
From 2000, the
Club has raised funds and in kind support
for the Junior Achievement Economic of
Staying in School Program and other
community-oriented groups.
The Major Club
Project for 2002-03 was to
refurbish/renovate Access House, a
transition house for outpatients.
Rainbow Riders
Rotary Riding Ring was the focus in the past
few years. In 2003, the Club raised $50,000
to construct an indoor riding stable for the
Rainbow Riders. This volunteer group
provides ponies and counselors to special
needs children so that they may avail of the
therapeutic benefits of horse back riding.
Construction of this facility is in
progress.
For the current
Rotary year (2003-04), the Club has taken on
a fundraising project to supply a van to the
Brighter Futures Coalition. This is a new
non-profit organization dedicated to
assisting single expectant mothers in need
by providing them with the resources to
utilize medical and other advisory services.
Youth-oriented
projects include working with Junior
Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador on
a school program called "The Economics of
Staying in School". Our Club has also
established a Rotary youth club (Interact),
headquartered in a local high school.
The Rotary Club of
St. John's is also actively involved
internationally.
- Rotary Youth
Student Exchange
- Group Study Exchange
- Dominica Eye Project: This project
began in 1997, through Club member Dr.
John McNicholas, who is helping to
detect and treat Glaucoma, a common
cause of blindness in that country.
During his visits, with colleague Ed
Doherty, John performs operations with
the local Ophthalmologist, holds public
clinics and arranges for vital medical
supplies with leading drug companies.
- Canadian Relief Fund for Chernobyl
Victims in Belarus: In 1998 and 1999, we
helped 36 Belarus child victims of the
Chernobyl disaster to make a health
restoring visit to Newfoundland and
Labrador.
- RI's PolioPlus Eradication Project was
a major focus for our Club over the past
year, and as a result of tremendous
support received from Rotarians in our
Club, the PolioPlus Eradication Fund
will receive an estimated $40,000 from
our Club.
