Our November 21st meeting brought Rotarians together and featured guest speaker Sue Collings, a former Toronto Police Officer with more than 30 years of experience investigating suspicious and fraudulent auto insurance claims. Sue shared her expertise on the rise of staged auto collisions, how these schemes impact everyday drivers, and the challenges investigators face in bringing organized fraud to light. She also spoke about her work as President of CASIU, the Canadian Association of Special Investigation Units, and how collaboration across agencies plays a key role in combating insurance crime. We left with a better understanding of how staged collisions affect all of us through higher premiums and increased risk on the road.
Hustle, Heart, and Holiday Hampers
On Saturday, November 22nd, we traded our usual Saturday routines for harnesses, hustle, and a whole lot of heart at The Daily Bread Food Bank, for our sixth year of supporting people in need of basic groceries. From the moment we arrived, the energy was buzzing. With Neil Hetherington, Daily Bread’s incredible CEO, setting the tone and guiding us, our group quickly transformed into a well-oiled assembly line of packers, stackers, and drivers. At times, we were moving so fast it felt like we’d accidentally entered the Olympics of food-hamper building, and we even skipped lunch to power through (sorry, Lorraine!😂).
Each hamper was packed with care and consistency: two cereal pots, a box of cereal bars, two fruit juices, kidney beans, peanut butter, two tins of tuna, Dijon mustard, Goldfish crackers, garden peas, pasta in sauce, and two packs of rice. By the end of the day, we had assembled an incredible 7,200 lbs of food in record time, record spirit, record teamwork and a whole lot of good vibes.
But beyond the fun and momentum, the day held deeper meaning. As we approach the festive season, we’re reminded that many in our community are facing difficult times. Being able to show up, contribute, give back and live our Rotary values - Service Above Self, fellowship, integrity, and being united for good - felt more important than ever.
A heartfelt thank you to Don Bell, our incredible Rotarians, and all the families who brought their enthusiasm. Thank you to the team who delivered the hampers of food to The Native Canadian Centre residence for seniors on Spadina and Progress Place Club, a leader in psychosocial rehabilitation on Church Street.
If you haven’t volunteered at a food bank before, consider this your gentle nudge. It’s inspiring, grounding, and a beautiful reminder of what happens when we come together with purpose.
By Paige Caldeira
Welcome New Members!
JONATHAN DWEK
Jonathan Dwek lives in midtown Toronto with his wife Amy and has 4 younger brothers. He is a finance professional, transitioning from the Chief Financial Officer of a small public company into life insurance and wealth management.
He is a CFA Charterholder and received his Masters of Finance from The Rotman School of Management.
He is an avid poker enthusiast and has been to nearly 30 countries with one of his goals to visit the 7 Ancient Wonders of the World (currently, 3 have been knocked off his list).
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ENRICO MOCCI
Enrico Mocci is the Director of Finance for Canada at Eataly and has been with the organization since the opening of its first Canadian location in 2019.
Originally from Italy, he moved to Canada in 2018 after falling in love with the country during an internal exchange program in Niagara Falls in 2010.
Enrico was a member of the Rotaract Club of Toronto in 2018, where he had the opportunity to work on several exciting projects alongside members of the Rotary Club of Toronto.
Enrico loves going to the gym and studying companies’ financial statements in his free time.
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BRIGITTE BOGAR
Brigitte Bogar was born in Denmark and moved to Canada in 2006. In 2014 when the Danish Royal family paid a visit to The Rotary Club of Toronto Brigitte was invited to come and sing. After a bit of persuasion, she joined the club on November 21st 2014 and fell in love with the club and later on with the in-house pianist, estate planner and club member Glenn McGregor Davis, Victoria’s dad. Brigitte, Glenn and Victoria lived in the Beach with their dog George and their cat Merlin, until Glenn’s recent passing in March 2025.
In the fall of 2018 Brigitte defended her fifth university degree - a PhD in Music and Theatre, and two days later she sang the female lead in Wagner’s opera Der fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman). After a long break she returned last month to the world of opera with a special timely performance for Opera by Request singing the lead part of Magda in Menotti’s opera The Consul.”
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DIANE MCQUAIG
“Diane McQuaig, lives in Toronto and is a happily returning member of our club and was introduced to Rotary by her late husband Don McQuaig, and father in law Jack McQuaig.
She is the proud Mom of 4 remarkable daughters, and 8 wild and wonderful grandchildren and enjoys, hiking, travel, pickleball and music.
She was a senior consultant in the speaking business for 25 years, teaching innovation globally to Fortune 500 companies. She founded a registered charity Camp Cucumber 35 years ago, which enriches the lives of struggling, homeless single moms and families.
The 7th International Dinner Series: A Night of Ukrainian Cuisine & Culture
On Wednesday November 12th, 20 cheerful Rotarians and guests gathered for an evening of fellowship and culinary adventure at Hoyra Gastropub, a Ukrainian restaurant. This was the seventh outing for our club’s International Dinner Series.
The menu was as extensive as it was tempting. The service was family style, and we watched in amazement as dish after dish arrived, filled with foods many of us had never tasted before. There was deruny, a golden, crispy potato pancake; adjarian, a bread boat bubbling with three cheeses and a fresh egg yolk; and shashlik, a beautifully grilled chicken skewer, to name just a few.
Was there room for dessert? Yes—and the sour cherry varenyky was delicious.
Between chatter and plenty of good-natured laughter, the room was alive with that unmistakable Rotary spirit. Hoyra’s hearty hospitality and authentic flavours made for an unforgettable evening. Thank you to the organizers Neil Phillips and Kaitlynn Almeida.
On Sunday, December 7th at 11am, we will host our 93rd Annual Holiday Party for kids with disabilities at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel Conference Centre.
Each year, we welcome children and their families from the Bob Rumball Canadian Centre of Excellence for the Deaf, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), Easter Seals Ontario, the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. This tradition has been part of Toronto since 1929, and it remains one of the most meaningful events we hold.
This year, we expect more than 450 children and family members to join us. The day will be filled with clowns, face painters, storytellers, and all the classic comfort foods—hot dogs, mac and cheese, and chicken fingers. The 3D Band will be back to fill the room with live rock and roll, and the dance floor always fills with kids moving to the music.
Santa will be there too, and every child will head home with a gift bag full of presents.
And of course, the highlight of the day returns: a joyful “snowball” fight between children armed with Styrofoam snowballs and officers from the Toronto Police Service. Last year, 50 officers joined in and made the moment unforgettable.
For many of these kids who spend so much of their time in hospitals and in care, this party means the world. For one afternoon, they get to step away from it all, laugh freely, and simply be kids.
Call for Volunteers
We’re still looking for more volunteers to make this event magical for the children! Contact kai.devonish@rotarytoronto.com or mcquitty@windsorparkcapitalcorp.com to sign up and bring holiday cheer to children & families in need this holiday season.
Written By Mark McQuitty
Contribute to the Voice!
Are you interested in building your communication skills while helping the club? Are you interested in sharing your experiences in the Voice? We are looking for members interested in helping cover club meetings for the Voice. If you are interested please contact Voice Editor Kelsey Horning at kelsey.horning@rotarytoronto.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Club Meetings
Join us for the final meeting of the year and help us close out 2025 with community, connection, and a little holiday cheer.
Friday, December 12, 2025
Mix & Jingle Holiday Party
The National Club
5pm
Other Events
Club Events
Help Us Reach Our Holiday Hampers Goal
Oktoberfest and our packing day may be behind us, but we have one more opportunity this year to support our Holiday Hampers fundraising campaign. We’re still short of our $10,000 goal for the Daily Bread Food Bank, and if you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, we truly need your support. Please share with friends, neighbours and colleagues who may wish to make a meaningful Christmas donation.
In many rural areas, including Consuelo in the Dominican Republic, girls face a monthly challenge: lack of access to sanitary hygiene products. This affects their health, well-being, and causes them to miss at least five days of school each month, limiting their education and future opportunities.
Join us on Saturday, November 29th for the Sanitary Pad Sewing Project as we assemble 250 reusable sanitary pad kits for girls in the Dominican Republic. Each kit includes flannel liners, shields, underwear, and hygiene supplies. These kits will help girls continue their education with dignity and confidence.
No sewing experience? No problem! Whether you’re cutting fabric, sewing, or assembling kits, every helping hand makes a difference. Together, let’s stitch a path to education and empowerment.
Join us in preparing preparing Holiday Gift Bags filled with essentials and small treats. These bags are delivered to seniors who often live alone, face financial hardship, or have limited support. There are two opportunities to participate:
1. Packing Volunteers
Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 2:00pm
Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd, Etobicoke, ON M9A 3C1
We need up to 10 volunteers to help fill the 205 gift bags.
2. Delivery Drivers
Monday, December 1, 2025
Volunteers will deliver the bags to the agencies listed above.
This is a no-cost event, and all supplies are purchased by a small team of Club shoppers using an approved project budget. If members wish to make a donation toward the project, it is welcome but not required.
For all members who have joined or wants to join the WhatsApp Group, please note that we will use your first name & last name - no business name or acronym please. Thank you.
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