Our Rotary 2017-18 theme, “Making a Difference” is utmost on everyone’s mind, while doing projects so worthy to our city and the world. We can ask ourselves, “what can I do to make difference to someone’s life, to their world”? Making a difference is offering a part of ourselves, our life, and spreading that time and effort to the most vulnerable. Each person shares themselves in different ways..some volunteer for special projects, some plan the philanthropic projects worthy of our assistance, others attend events and lend a helping hand, others plan fun Fellowship events, others work on program development; everyone helps in their own way..always foremost that we making a difference in someone else’s life.  Rotarians know that by sharing our talents and time, we can make a difference!!

In the spring what a difference we made in the life of our family from Syria!  Maureen Bird and her committee, and family and friends, have worked tirelessly in getting the family acclimatized to Canada and assisting wherever they can along the way. This has indeed been a great achievement as it has surely made a huge difference in their lives. Thank you, Maureen and your committee!
   
We are making a huge difference in the lives of many people in the inner city with the unveiling of the new Sherbourne Health Bus -  how exciting it was to the team at Sherbourne and to us.. this great project enables the team on the Health Bus to now provide more specialized services to the most vulnerable population in the inner city.
 
For many months, Lorraine Lloyd and her Children’s Christmas Party committee and Anny-Sandra Hamel and her Senior Citizens’ Committee have worked with enthusiasm and determination to execute special parties for the young and not so young… Congratulations to all members, families and friends of members, guests, Rotaractors from Toronto, U of T and Ryerson for making these events spectacular. Everyone is to be congratulated in making a difference to so many “young and older ” lives.. just seeing the smiles, excitement and joy in their faces is our thank you. Thank you to these two leaders, Lorraine and Anny -Sandra, and their teams !!
 
The Club Christmas Party committee, led by Dauna Jones-Simmonds will be hosting a great event on Friday.  Her team of enthusiastic volunteers have rallied together, planning to make this one of our very best parties… there will be a silent auction, a raffle with lots of great prizes, delicious food and wonderful fellowship.. the raffle and silent auction revenue goes to one of our projects..  The Club Foundation Board will be presenting a check to a most worthwhile organization.
  
Roadmap 2020 under the direction of Prince Kumar, with Vice President Kevin Power and the new Board Directors has made quite an impact on what we do and will do in the future....we are ready to start making a difference working on the many initiatives voted on by the members of the club. These ideas came from the many sessions held over the summer and fall. We are just starting to get fired up..January will see a mobilization of some of the initiatives. What a difference we will be able to make.. Congratulations and thank you to Prince as Lead for the Special project and Kevin Power and his team for their unwavering input.
 
Every Rotarian gives in their own special way and I want to thank you for your ongoing commitment to serve, giving of your time and effort, to make a difference in others lives. I am proud of your efforts to make our city and world a better place. The world these days, needs the spirit of Rotarians ever more.. “Why do I do this?” My answer is simple..I want to make a difference in others’ lives..if what I do will make a difference to how someone feels and make their life brighter and more joyful, even for a few hours, that is what makes it all worthwhile..…..  The more you give, the more you will receive…ten fold!!
 
The next 6 months will be a busy time as we prepare for the Rotary International Convention June 23 to 27, 2018 but we will not lose sight of our mission to serve others and make a difference to those less fortunate.
 
At this special time of the year, do take time to relax, and to reflect on how lucky we are to live in a country where we are free to be ourselves, have our own ideas, and are able to speak freely.
 
I wish you and your families the very best for a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and Happy New Year.