Brian and Sandy Stewart are the producers of the latest film in the Sharkwater series; Sharkwater Extinction. They also have set up the Rob Stewart Sharkwater Foundation in Canada, in the name of their late son Rob Stewart who was lost diving off the Florida Keys while filming the movie. The Foundation will continue the work Rob started as well as develop new projects to help further protect sharks, our oceans and all its creatures. The foundation will work alongside United Conservationists the 501C(c)3 charity Rob set up to operate in the United States.
Rob was an award-winning filmmaker, author, biologist, and conservationist who dedicated his life to the preservation of sharks and life on Earth. Already passionate about animals and underwater photography at the age of 13, Rob went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Western Ontario, additionally studying in Jamaica and Kenya. But when Rob was fulfilling his dream of photographing sharks in the Galapagos, he found the creatures he loved and revered were being senselessly killed by indiscriminate longline fishing practices, in one of the most protected marine preserves in the world.
Brian Stewart, CEO Tribute Entertainment Media Group (TEMG) including Big Screen Entertainment Inc. and InTheatre Media Inc.
Mr. Stewart has worked in marketing motion picture since the late seventies. In his current position as CEO of Tribute Entertainment Media Group he leads Canada’s most innovative, award-winning entertainment marketing and production company. Mr. Stewart pioneered the in-theatre media business for exhibitors across Canada, developing advertising initiatives/strategies/revenues for Famous Players, Empire Theatres, Guzzo Cinemas, Landmark theatres, and independent exhibitors. He was instrumental in initiating the current alternative content business in digital theatres, by bringing sporting and music events to theatres.
Sandy Campbell, President Tribute Publishing Inc. Each month millions of consumers get the scoop on the hottest new movies, thanks to Sandy Campbell.
In 1979 Sandy co-founded with her husband and partner Brian, the Tribute Entertainment Media Group of companies. Their first venture was Tribute Magazine, a free publication for in-theatre distribution. During the subsequent 40 + years they grew that franchise. The roster of magazines included Kids Tribute and Teen Tribute, the most widely read teen magazine in Canada, as well as En Primeur and En Primeur Jeunesse. And among the other holdings of Tribute Entertainment Media Group were Tribute TV, Canada’s top- rated movie preview show, and In Theatre Media Inc. which provided in-theatre slides, posters, on screen advertising for exhibitors across Canada and Big Screen Entertainment Inc, the content creation company responsible for producing over 500 Episodes of Tribute TV, two extremely successful documentaries, Sharkwater and Revolution, plus thousands of on-screen content segments.
Stephanie Christensen sends Thank you to the Toronto Rotary Foundation for its generous contributions to our cause. $10,000 will be used for Pakistan and $10,000 for the Horn of Africa
Pakistan
More than 1.8 million houses have been damaged or destroyed, leaving behind millions of people in need of urgent shelter.
We have had teams in Pakistan since the flooding occurred, they have distributed tents, water filters, mosquito nets and solar lights in some of the hardest hit areas (and are continuing to do so)
Our teams are now planning the second phase of our response looking at helping families prepare for winter
Given the scale of the need, and our experience working in Pakistan/ability to provide the aid people are looking for, this will be a long term response for ShelterBox.
Horn of Africa
ShelterBox is distributing emergency shelter and vital aid in the Somali region of Ethiopia affected by drought. Our first project which is underway now will reach 13,000 people. We are also planning a response in Somalia that will reach thousands more which will begin shortly.
More than 36 million people are affected by the most prolonged drought in 40 years in the Horn of Africa. It’s almost double the number of people affected in July 2022 (19.4 million), highlighting the rising needs in Ethiopia and Somalia.
More than a million people who live in Somalia have been displaced and many of them are on the move as they desperately search for food.
With focus on other crises around the world, the humanitarian response in East Africa has been challenging - especially in Somalia where 60% of people in need of emergency shelter don’t currently have it.
Across the Horn of Africa, more than 36 million people have been affected by the drought which began in October 2020. At least 20.5 million people are already waking each day to high levels of acute food insecurity and rising malnutrition across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, and this figure could increase to between 23-26 million by February 2023.
I will continue to provide updates as we have them. Thank you so much again for your ongoing support of ShelterBox Canada. The Rotary Club of Toronto remains the largest Rotary supporter of ShelterBox in the world and we are so grateful for the difference you make around the world.
Help Wanted!
Sign Up and Mark Your Calendars Now
Holiday Hampers: every Rotarian is encouraged to invite guests to a party that they host and ask each guest to donate $40 toward a hamper. Also need a crew to pack the hampers on December 10th.
Holiday gift bags for Seniors: crew to pack the bags (venue & date TBD), drivers to deliver the bags to various locations around the city (date TBD but will be a weekday in December). This is in lieu of a party.
Steam Whistle Fundraiser in March: need 1-2 people to field questions as we start the planning (our member Fabio will provide guidance).
Contact Don Bell
Lori Brazier
Steve Smith
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District Conference October 14-16
Serge Sourou, Prince Kumar and Anny-Sandra Hamel at Saturday's dinner
Over 200 Rotarians gathered at the Nottawasaga Inn for a great weekend full of fabulous speakers.
Our own Neil Phillips did a topnotch job as Master of Ceremonies (with a cane he threatened to use if people went overtime).
District Governor Iosef Ciosa was a wonderful host. We got to meet the exchange students and our Global Scholar Dr. Sam, here from Australia studying Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases at SickKids. He is here with his wife and son for two years.
World Polio Day October 24
We are finally back to normal and our Rotarians and friends are invited to attend! On Friday October 21st 2022 we will be raising the END POLIO NOW flag at Toronto City Hall.
10:30 - 11:00 am.
With a confirmed case in New York and a breakout in Mozambique/Malawi it is important that we continue the fight.
