A Rotary Waterloo Fundraiser

Honoring community service, empowering youth and raising funds for a worthy cause. Those were just a few of the highlights as Rotary Waterloo and the City of Waterloo presented Mayor David Jaworsky’s final State of the City address on September 15, 2022.
 
The event is one of Rotary Waterloo’s premier fundraisers and this year the proceeds were donated to House of Friendship, in support of their new ShelterCare program opening in Waterloo this Fall. With ShelterCare 100 men who are experiencing homelessness will not only have staff support and a safe place to stay, they will also have access to services onsite including primary health care, mental health and addiction supports.
 
Rotary Waterloo President Carol Parsons opened the event by presenting a Paul Harris Fellowship to John Neufeld in recognition of his community service as the Executive Director of the House of Friendship since 2009.
 
Mayor Jaworsky delivered a humorous, heartfelt speech highlighting memorable moments from his eight years as Mayor under the theme of “positive leadership”. He recently announced that he will not run in the next municipal election.
 
Accompanying the Mayor were two past winners from the Grade 5 'Mayor for a Day' contest, Mayor Alyssa Panda from 2018 and Mayor Elspeth Forde from 2019. Both of these young women had the room enthralled, with their stories of what it was like to be 'Mayor for a Day'. It would not surprise anyone to see one or both, as community leaders in the future.
 
This event and the funds that it generates for local charities would not be possible without the generous support of the sponsors and participants. This year we thank GSP Group, Sorbara Law, Walter Fedy and Google Canada for their support.
 
An added bonus this year were the beautiful centre pieces made by the Milky Way Farm. These centre pieces were created from a colourful array of fresh vegetables that were donated to the House of Friendship after the event.
 
 
Submitted by Janice Moore
Rotary Waterloo