By Lawrence Loiseau
The Rotary Club of 100 Mile House celebrated its 40th anniversary at the Valley Room in 100 Mile House on Oct. 22.
The 20-member club and its guests filled the Valley Room. They enjoyed a catered dinner and a celebratory cutting of the anniversary cake. After dinner, there were speeches and the central theme was the history of the organization.
Maureen Pinkney, who presided over the Rotary Club from 2012 to 2014 notes the club first formed in 1976. Since then, it has helped initiate many projects in 100 Mile House.
“That’s the motto of the rotary ‘Service Above Self’. As a businessperson organization, our goal has always been to start things for others to take over. We’re a great promoter of facilities. The Horse Lake Training Centre, we got that going.
“We were also instrumental in saving the Agriplex in 2002.”
Such projects are just the tip of the iceberg. The Rotary Club started Creekside Seniors Activity Centre. The club also gifted the District of 100 Mile House the Rotary Clock to the community hall three years ago. The large, ornate time piece is worth around $20,000. The District now attends to the maintenance.
The soccer fields is one of the larger projects the Rotary initiated for the benefit of 100 Mile House, Pinkney says, adding they also managed to renovate the community hall.
The Rotary Club has also provided more than $100,000 worth of scholarships for students throughout its 40 years.
The scholarships emphasize subjects such as peacekeeping, conflict resolution and political science – all of which highlight the worldwide organization’s commitment to service and to the 3 Hs: Hunger, Health and Humanity.
The Rotary Club also hosts a free Seniors Turkey Dinner for 350 seniors, and the event has been held every December for 25 years.
“We are especially grateful for the many volunteers,” Pinkney says.
The Rotary Club is currently preparing for this year’s dinner on Dec. 3.