As spring fully embraces our beautiful city, we have several meaningful occasions to acknowledge and celebrate in May.
On May 7th, we honour those whose hands and hearts brought comfort to our community through the Tree of Remembrance.
In the spirit of Rotary's "Service Above Self", these dedicated volunteers stood as beacons of compassion during times of remembrance.
We give thanks for each Rotarian and volunteer who shared their time and comfort with those honouring loved ones and sending messages of Hope & Peace to the world. You are the quiet heroes whose dedication leaves an indelible mark on the world.
Sunday May 11th, we celebrated Mother's Day. I extend my warm wishes to all the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures in our Rotary family.
The love, dedication, and sacrifice of mothers are truly remarkable, and I am grateful for all that you do.
This Mother's Day, let us celebrate the special women in our lives who have nurtured and cared for us, and who continue to inspire us to be our best selves. Whether it is through a simple phone call, a handwritten note, or a small act of kindness, let us take the time to show our appreciation and love for the mothers in our lives.
To our members who are mothers, THANK YOU for balancing your family commitments with your dedication to our club's humanitarian efforts. Your contributions make our community stronger.
May marks Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry and significant contributions of Asian Canadians to our nation. From pioneering railway workers to modern-day innovators, Asian Canadians have helped shape our country's identity through their achievements in business, arts, sciences, and community service.
As Rotarians, we are committed to embracing diversity and creating a more connected and inclusive society. Let us celebrate Asian Heritage Month by supporting and appreciating the contributions of our fellow Asian Canadians and promoting the values of unity and respect.
I salute those who transform words into action, igniting a flame of compassion that illuminates the darkest corners of human need.
With heartfelt admiration to all who serve - past, present, and future!
THANK YOU!
Message from President Binoy
Wednesday May 7th, 2025
Remembrance Tree Party at The National Club
Hosted by Vice-President Pauline Lyons & Rtn. Liam Hancock
On May 7th, the Rotary Club of Toronto hosted the 2024 Remembrance Tree Party. The remarkable event was led by Vice-President Pauline Lyons and Rotarian Liam Hancock, who marked his first anniversary as a member just a day later.
President Binoy kickstarted the evening with a heartfelt Lands Acknowledgement and the traditional invocation. The atmosphere was filled with patriotism as REVV52 delivered a soul-stirring rendition of O'Canada.
Amidst the celebration, President Binoy proudly introduced our newest member, Leticia R. Devens, whose journey from the Rotaract Club of Toronto symbolizes the club's growth and dedication to service (read her bio later in this newsletter).
Vice-President Pauline took center stage, highlighting the Rotary Club of Toronto's extraordinary efforts in our community, donating an average of $1 million annually towards vital projects focusing on education, environment, food security, seniors' well-being, water & sanitation, and disease prevention, to name a few.
The hosts then shed light on the origins of the Remembrance Tree, recognizing Rotarian TP Sheehan and Past President Anny-Sandra Hamel for bringing the idea from Ireland to fruition within the Rotary Club of Toronto.
A parade of partners who made the Tree of Remembrance a resounding success was acknowledged, including Mayor Olivia Chow and the City of Toronto, Sankofa Square, Winter Glow, The Thornton-Smith Corporation, and Chevrolet, whose eco-friendly Chevy Silverado EV powered the lights of the magnificent Tree.
None of this would have been possible without our generous sponsors, whose contributions were acknowledged with heartfelt gratitude.
A special mention was given to the dedicated Rotary Club members and volunteers from other clubs and organizations who worked tirelessly during the cold December weather, promoting Rotary's values and the Tree of Remembrance. This included the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, whose members selflessly offered their assistance.
The evening reached its climax when the Champion Trophy winner was revealed.
Tom Sanderson, who is over 85 years old and a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Etobicoke, took home the prestigious trophy for his unwavering commitment to volunteerism and completing the highest number of shifts at the Tree. Despite the frigid temperatures and snowy conditions, Tom's spirit remained strong, serving as a true inspiration for us all.
As the celebration drew to a close, President Binoy expressed gratitude to all participants, extending a warm invitation to join in the 2025 Remembrance Tree and announcing the beginning of fundraising efforts for the event.
The remarkable evening symbolized the collective strength and dedication of our community, united by a shared commitment to serve and make a difference in the lives of others. We look forward to another year of growth, collaboration, and celebration at the 2025 Remembrance Tree Party.
On May 8th, President Binoy and I had the honour of attending Embrace The Grace, a fundraiser for Grace Hospital, specifically their Remote Care Monitoring program, following an invitation by Dr. Jake Tran.
This allows seniors to age at home rather than in hospitals or long term care. This program is fast becoming the standard of care across Ontario and now BC and PEI.
A few years ago, I introduced The Grace and The Rotary Club of Toronto and Rotary provided the seed money for this amazing program. It has taken off beyond their wildest dreams. This will allow thousands to age at home, currently over 20,000, and save governments millions. It has been amazing to watch this small hospital that has been around for decades become such a leader in Senior care.
The genius vision and leadership of CEO Dr. Jake Tran (proud member of our club), AI research and the amazing team at the Grace have a lot to take credit for and be proud of.
Guest Honorary Speaker was Canadian icon Dr Hayley Wickenheiser absolutely inspiring. I didn’t even know, besides hockey she is also an Emergency Room Doctor!!
We got a great dose of Canada Pride!!
Pictures & Write-up by Past President John Fortney
The 2025 Rotary HIP (Honouring Indigenous People)
Y2Y Program
Fifty indigenous and non-indigenous students gathered with Mi’kmaq FN elders in Nova Scotia last week for the third annual Youth to Youth (Y2Y) program.
Youth came from Rotary Districts across Canada to experience Truth and Reconciliation first-hand.
Activities across five days build friendships and familiarity with Mi’kmaq history and culture. Youth describe their time as “life-changing” and joined a close network of friends.
Phyllis Webstad, the creator of Orange Shirt Day across Canada, started the week with a deeply personal account of her experience in a residential school. Phyllis joined the students for two days; answering their many questions and sharing all aspects of her journey.
Elder Albert Marshall spoke about the Mi’kmaq teaching of “Two Eyed Seeing”. Youth could see Two Eyed Seeing in action as they visited hemlock forests. Outdoor activity and shared experiences included;
Story telling at the sacred fire
Making regalia for dancing
Guided hikes through hemlock forests
Working with park rangers and Mi’kmaq healers to treat infected trees
Playing lacrosse
Learning and tasting native healing plant remedies
Drum making
Imagine fifty happy teenagers playing their new drums together! HIP and the Y2Y program started at Rotary Club of Toronto. Our Club is a leading funder and supporter of the 2025 program and members will have a chance to meet the five District 7070 students at meetings this fall.
Write-up & Picture provided by Bill Empey
Champion – Indigenous Partnership Working Group, District 7070 Coordinator for HIP
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS
Rotary Members Retreat
Camp Scugog Service Weekend
May 23rd - 25th
This weekend, we transform lives – including our own.
Our annual Camp Scugog service weekend is just around the corner – May 23-25 – and we need YOU to help prepare this special place for the children who will soon fill it with laughter and create memories to last a lifetime.
Picture this: The morning mist rising over Lake Scugog. The satisfying feeling of fixing a cabin door that will welcome a child who's never experienced camp before. The camaraderie of working alongside fellow Rotarians who share your commitment to service above self.
What you'll give: A weekend of meaningful work – painting, repairs, grounds clean-up – that directly impacts children's summer experiences.
What you'll get: Priceless networking with like-minded Rotarians, revitalizing fresh air at beautiful Lake Scugog, and incredible meals prepared by our talented chefs that will have you coming back for seconds (and thirds)!
Service weekends like this embody the very essence of Rotary – fellowship, service, and making a tangible difference in our community.
Sign up today. Make this the year you're part of the team that makes Camp Scugog magic possible.
Past President Susan Howson at showson@researchcapital.com
Dinner Meeting June 4, 2025
Guest Speaker - Rebeccah Love
Rebeccah Love is a Toronto-based filmmaker, writer, visual artist and community organizer. She studied at the University of King’s College, then completed a BFA in Film Production at Ryerson University, and an MFA at the University of Guelph in Creative Writing. Her short stories have played TIFF, VIFF, FNC, and CBC, and have been featured in the Globe and Mail and the Montreal Gazette. She is interested in questions relating to mental health, city planning, art history, and folk storytelling.
At age 18 Rebeccah Love was diagnosed with Bipolar I, experiencing mania, psychosis and depression. In the past 10 years, as a part of her recovery, she has produced and directed eight short films that touch on love, neighbourhoods and mental illness. She has shared these films in the country's top film festivals, in psychiatric units and at community events as tools of inspiration and education, often inviting top CAMH psychiatrists to speak at her premieres.
Rebeccah will be talking about Psychosis, Civic Responsibility and the Imangination.
Her debut feature film “Fortescue” lands in Toronto this coming June.
Rebeccah Love is the daughter of Esteemed Past President Peter Love.
To register, please email Sarah Olsen at admin@rotarytoronto.com OR
Leticia, originally from Brazil, was inducted into our club on May 7th, 2025.
Her current classification is Marketing Management.
Leticia joined the Rotary family at a very young age in Brazil - she is a founding member of the Interact Club of Aracruz, past member of the Rotaract Club of Vitoria Praia Do Canto, and most recently a member of the Rotaract Club of Toronto.
Leticia's parents are also involved in Rotary, her mum being a member of the Rotary Club of Aracruz and her dad an honourary member of the same club.
Leticia is well known to many members of our club as she has already participated in several sweat equity projects and social gatherings of our club.
Members please reach out to Leticia to welcome her to our club and to get to know her better. She will soon be added to our WhatsApp channel.
Welcome to our club Leticia!
May Birthday Celebrations!
On behalf of all our members, we wish a very Happy Birthday to everyone celebrating their birthday in May!
The Rotary Club of Toronto
Membership Anniversaries
On behalf of the entire club, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations and heartfelt appreciation to those celebrating their Rotary Club of Toronto anniversaries this quarter (April to June 2025).
Your dedication, commitment, and invaluable contributions have played an integral role in our club's success and impact throughout the years.
Your unwavering support and tireless efforts continue to inspire us all, and we are honored to have you as part of our Rotary Club Toronto family.
Thank you for your service and for embodying the spirit of Rotary in everything you do.
Here's to many more years of fellowship, growth, and shared accomplishments!
Message from President Binoy
"52+ Good News Stories": A Spark of Hope and Inspiration
Our long-time Rotarian Chris Snyder just published his new book “52+ Good News Stories”.
Immerse yourself in a refreshing oasis of positivity with "52+ Good News Stories." Born from Chris’ uplifting blog, this treasure trove of heartwarming tales offers a delightful escape from the daily barrage of negativity.
Showcasing the remarkable power of good news, this collection serves as a reminder that kindness and compassion are thriving forces within our global community. With over 52 inspiring stories, each chapter is packed with hope and positivity, inviting you to embrace the transformative power of optimism.
As you journey through this celebration of the human spirit, you'll discover that good news doesn't just lift spirits—it fosters productivity, resilience, and opportunity.
While adversity persists in the world, "52+ Good News Stories" illuminates the power of focusing on the positive and cultivating hope for a better tomorrow. By embracing these uplifting narratives, you can join the good news movement and be part of a force that uplifts, inspires, and unites us all.
Chris has generously offered to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book to our club members to our club. If you would like to help Chris and our club, please email Carol at office@rotarytoronto.com, she has a few copies.
WhatsApp Group
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.
Would you like to write for the Voice or have a story or picture to share?
Contact Brinda Luckoo at brinda.luckoo@rotarytoronto.com
