Rotarians across Oakville, their families and members of District 7080 joined in the celebration of 100 years of service to the community and beyond with a gala dinner at the Oakville Conference Centre April 30, 2025. From the Oakville Rotary Club came the Oakville Trafalgar and Oakville West Clubs and collectively all members came together to celebrate.
With 200 participants and special guests in the audience, attendees were blessed with five amazing speakers including:
1. Bob Dodds, Chair of Trafalgar Strategic Homes Initiative
- Creating and managing affordable housing
2. Julia Pietrangelo from Darling Home for Kids
- Expanding to include hospice
3. Zeus Eden Bursary Recipient
- Rotary Oakville Education Awards
4. Melissa Cameron, Acclaim Health
- Expanding care for those with Alzheimer’s
5. Gary Comerford, Chair of RCO Foundation
- Exciting future & $100,000 to local charities
In addition, a number of guests popped up to share how Rotary had impacted their lives from their experience as an Exchange Student from Venezuela, a High School Interact student about her Dominican Republic school re-build, an Education bursary recipient and an Indigenous Scholarship recipient, as well as a young man reflecting on participation in Camp Enterprise as a youth and a long time Rotarian attending an International grant program Water for Humanity in Africa. Wonderful and inspiring
segues into becoming a Rotarian.
segues into becoming a Rotarian.
During the Gala, it was announced that $100,000 would be given to local charities over the next 12 months. Each organization to receive $10,000. The $100,000 is a
collective from the Rotary Club of Oakville (RCO), Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar (RCOT) and the Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW). In addition, the three clubs
committed another $100,000 would be given to 30 graduating grade 12 students from Oakville seeking post secondary education. Attendees were provided with a
commemorative booklet of the history of Rotary in Oakville, keepsake pin and a longer version of this amazing story available online.
Commencing in June with the Oakville Rotary Education Awards, 30 exceptional students received a minimum of $3,000 towards their post secondary education.
The first $10,000 donation (June) from RCOT went to local charity Safety Net to purchase new clothing donation bins and feminine hygiene products to support
financially challenged families. The second $10,000 (July) from RCO went to Reach Out Center for Kids (ROCK) for their Camp Unity summer program for children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In addition, $10,000 went to Sheridan College Rotary Technology Bursary and was formally presented by RCO at Sheridan’s Metis Nation of Ontario youth tour of the campus in August.
financially challenged families. The second $10,000 (July) from RCO went to Reach Out Center for Kids (ROCK) for their Camp Unity summer program for children and youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In addition, $10,000 went to Sheridan College Rotary Technology Bursary and was formally presented by RCO at Sheridan’s Metis Nation of Ontario youth tour of the campus in August.
The Gala was a wonderful evening of collaboration and sharing wonderful Rotary stories of giving back to community and the impact of Service Above Self. Here’s to
another 100 Years!
Written by:
Susan Sheppard
Past President of Rotary Club of Oakville West
Rotary Oakville Cluster Communications Chair
Susan Sheppard
Past President of Rotary Club of Oakville West
Rotary Oakville Cluster Communications Chair