The Rotary Club of Toronto Volunteers Help Build Recovery Homes for Toronto's Wildlife
There's something quietly profound about building a home for a creature that can't ask for one.
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, members of the Rotary Club of Toronto joined Toronto Wildlife Centre at their new location in the Rouge Valley near the Toronto Zoo — rolling up their sleeves to help construct enclosures that will give sick, injured, and orphaned animals a safe place to recover before returning to the wild.
Thanks to the exceptional teamwork on the day, the Opossum enclosure went up almost effortlessly. What a start!
This wasn't the Club's first contribution to the Centre. Previous Rotary funding enabled the construction of enclosures for bats, waterfowl, woodpeckers, migratory birds, and raccoons. This time, members added their labour and skills alongside those financial contributions — a fitting example of Rotary's hands-on spirit in action.
Toronto Wildlife Centre exists to promote the peaceful coexistence of people and wildlife. Through expert public education, emergency advice, and medical care for thousands of animals each year, the Centre works tirelessly toward one goal: releasing healthy animals back into the wild. The move to the Rouge Valley marks an exciting new chapter, with many more enclosures planned as the Centre continues to grow its capacity.
The work continues, and there are more opportunities to be part of it.
Next up: Environment Committee members invite all fellow Club members to a two-hour nature walk in Tommy Thompson Park on Sunday, June 7, 2026, from 1:30–3:30 pm. More details to follow after May 20. Watch this space!
Stitching Dignity, Education, and Opportunity
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Rotary Club of Toronto members came together at Manor Road United Church for the International Service Pads Sewing Project, a meaningful hands-on initiative supporting girls in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.
In many rural communities, limited access to menstrual hygiene products continues to affect girls’ health, confidence, and ability to attend school consistently. Through this project, volunteers helped create reusable sanitary kits designed to support girls in continuing their education with dignity.
The morning was filled with teamwork, learning, and community spirit. Volunteers contributed in many different roles, from sewing and cutting fabric to quality control, kit turning, and assembly support. Together, the Rotary Club of Toronto volunteers started and completed 97 pads, each one representing practical support and opportunity for girls who need it most.
A special thank you to everyone who helped spread the word, and volunteered their time and energy to make the event possible. We are also incredibly grateful for the refreshments generously provided throughout the morning:
Pizza from President Dauna Jones
Coffee from VP Mark McQuitty
Muffins and fruit from Lorraine Lloyd and
Gluten-free treats from Christine Cote
Their generosity helped keep volunteers energized and created a warm, welcoming environment throughout the event.
Special appreciation also goes to facilitators Janet Thorsteinson and Linda Ames from the Whitby Sunrise club for their continued leadership, guidance, and partnership.
The April 2026 the Rotary Club of Toronto event was co-led by Irene Kuan and Diego Ribeiro Galbiati.
Thank you to everyone who helped stitch dignity, education, and empowerment into every kit created. Hope to see you at the next event!
Written by Irene Kuan
🏀 Toronto Raptors Game Night Recap
🎉 Raptors Win!
What a night to be a Raptors fan! The Toronto Raptors delivered an exciting victory over the Miami Heat on April 7, 2026, giving our Rotary group a memorable evening to celebrate. The energy inside Scotiabank Arena was electric from tip-off to the final buzzer, and our crew was right in the middle of it all, cheering every basket and three-pointer together.
✨ An Unforgettable Social Evening
Beyond the on-court action, what truly made the night special was the incredible social atmosphere our group created in the stands. Rotarians, family members, and friends came together to share laughs, stories, and plenty of Raptor’s pride. The camaraderie was exactly the kind of connection that Rotary is all about, people from all walks of life united by community spirit and a love for the game.
We were thrilled to have President Dauna present alongside her family, bringing wonderful energy and warmth to the evening. The conversations flowed, the excitement was contagious, and the memories made will undoubtedly be talked about at future club meetings for a long time to come.
A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us: Michelle, Jason, Marcy, Diego, and all the friends and family who made the night so vibrant. Seeing our Rotary community come together outside of a meeting setting, in such a fun and spirited environment, was truly heartwarming.
🌟 Thank You, Kevin Power!
This wonderful evening would not have happened without the outstanding leadership and dedication of Kevin Power. Kevin took the initiative to organize the group tickets, coordinate the logistics, and ensure that everyone had a seamless and enjoyable experience from start to finish. He even brought along his sons and friends, adding even more energy and spirit to our group.
Kevin, on behalf all of the Rotary Club of Toronto, thank you for making this happen. Your efforts in pulling together this group outing reflect the very best of Rotary leadership, selfless, organized, and always with the community in mind. We are grateful for your time and enthusiasm!
📢 Stay Connected
Missed this one? Don't worry, we plan to continue bringing exciting social events to the Rotary Club of Toronto calendar. Watch your emails for upcoming opportunities and follow our social media channels for the latest updates. When the next group outing is announced, be sure to grab your spot early!
Go Raptors Go! 🏀
Written by Diego Ribeiro Galbiati
Welcome New Members!
Bobbie McMurrich
Bobbie McMurrich was Raised in Hamilton and was inspired by her father’s longstanding commitment as a Rotarian.
She is a Retired social work executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience with Victim Services Toronto as Associate and Interim Executive Director. Notable contributions to the sector include: the Family Justice Centre, Award of excellence by the Ministry of the Attorney General, the Ontario Association of Chief’s of Police and Toronto Police Services’ Leading the Path Award and Founded and Established Ontario’s first Trauma Dog Program.
Bobbie is looking forward to fully participating in the Rotary Club’s committees, community volunteer and social events.
Franck Olejniczak
Franck Olejniczak was born in France, holds a Master in Science from Lille, France, lived in Switzerland, works for Schweizer Electronic AG Toronto as Country Manager Canada, where he is responsible for establishing and developing the company’s operations across Canada. Franck has two adult children.
Franck was involved in and is interested in mentoring, education, community initiatives, youth development and international projects.
Franck has two children, speaks 4 languages fluently, enjoys golf, water sports, hiking, nature, music, travelling, hands on projects and has already signed up for Camp Scugog!
Martina Crippa
Martina Crippa was born in Carate Brianza, Italy, and lives in Oakville with her Entrepreneur husband. She studied Finance at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, has an MBA from LIUC Cattaneo University as well as ESG in Milan. She was a consultant at Accenture, worked at Deloitte, and was a Senior ESG Specialist at BDO.
Martina was President of Rotaract Milano Europ and concluded her Rotaract journey in 2022.
Outside of work, Martina was a competitive skier, enjoys horses, cooking, music, reading, and traveling.
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
Wednesday June 3, 2026
The National Club
Dinner
Check in from 5:30pm
Members!
Notice Special/AGM - Meeting of the Members
(Part of our June 3, 2026 regular Rotary meeting)
Wednesday Dinner June 3, 2026
Club elections! Vice President, Directors, and Treasurer
—
Friday June 19, 2026
The National Club
Lunch
Check in from noon
Indigenous People's Day
Keynote Speaker; Steve Teekens, Executive Director
Native Men's Residence (NaMaRes)
Topic: NaMaRes Efforts to Address Homelessness
Other Events
Club Events
—
Epic Day of Service - Meals and Sox
Volunteers will prepare and serve meals and distribute socks to the unhoused.
One the form is completed, it will redirect you to the Kindful payment page.
When: Friday to Sunday May 22-24 if you can only come Saturday that is okay.
Cost: Rotarian $165.00 Rotaractor $125.00 includes 2 dinners and breakfasts, 1 lunch
(you can’t afford to stay home)
Where: Camp Scugog just outside Port Perry approximately an hour and half outside Toronto. We will try to organize ridesharing if you need it.
What is Camp Scugog: A fresh air camp for children, teens and Mothers so that they can gain new knowledge, attitudes and skills in a safe environment https://www.campscugog.org/
Why them: Because they are a non-profit camp focused on needy children in the centre of Toronto. They have little funding and need us very much
Why should I come: some member comments” A magnificent fence was erected, many cabins were painted and spiffed up, and the transformation was apparent to all. The Camp staff were there working alongside of us, and their gratitude was palpable. I have left much out, but the important thing to know is this; in my opinion, the Camp Weekend is the best thing you can do all year, to fully experience the rewards of being a member of our great Club”
“All in all, I will remember the weekend as a time of feast, fellowship and fortitude. And although I quipped that "never again" would I attend, of course next year I wouldn't miss it for the world”
“The food and comradery was amazing"
A promise: I can promise you that there will be lots of hard work-painting, nailing, sorting cloths etc. and you will enjoy every minute. There will be laughter, song and incredible food prepared by your fellow members.
If you can’t come for the whole weekend come for the day. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask Susan Howson. showson@researchcapital.com
—
Walk in Tommy Thompson Nature Reserve
June 7, 2026
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Save the date! More details to come.
—
District & International Events
District Assembly May 23, 2026 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Fee: $60.00 Location: Centennial College Event Centre
937 Progress Ave
8th floor
Scarborough, ON
The District Assembly stands as a cornerstone of leadership training within Rotary districts worldwide. This year, we are thrilled to offer a series of dynamic breakout sessions that promise motivation, inspiration, and fresh perspectives tailored specifically for club officers, directors, and those holding key roles. These interactive sessions will not only bolster your skills but also arm you with innovative strategies to amplify your club’s effectiveness and engagement.
This is more than just an assembly—it's a unique opportunity for all Rotarians in District 7070 to connect, share ideas, and explore how your club can inspire positive change in our communities. There are countless exciting aspects of Rotary waiting for you to discover!
Join Liz Compton (DGE) and her Committee for an inspiring weekend celebrating service, connection, and community impact. Meet fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors, learn from engaging speakers, and enjoy time together in the heart of North York.
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.
Want to see a story or pictures of your latest meeting, project, or social in The Voice?
