A recording of today’s meeting is not available as this was an in person event.
Visiting Rotarians
Cheryl Ewing, RC of Halifax Northwest
Guests
Jody Goddard, from the Basketeers, guest speaker
April Scida, from the Basketeers, guest speaker
President's Comments
President Vince welcomed all to the meeting this evening.
Happy Jar
President Vince is delighted that the Leafs are on a winning streak.
Membership Updates
We were pleased to re-induct Cheryl Ewing into our Club tonight. She became a member of our club in 2001 and served as president in 2007-2008. Her business took her to Nova Scotia for the past five years where she became an active member of the Rotary Club of Halifax Northwest. She has now returned to the area and is back again as a member of Kitchener Rotary.
Yuliia Poliakova has resigned from the club due to business pressures and Jim Brown has left the club due to health issues.
Club Announcements
Online Auction
We still have just under two weeks to go before our 2026 Online Auction goes live and there is still time to bring in those donations and sponsors. If you have not already done so we do urge all members to contribute to this critical fundraiser. It provides the funds we use to support needy groups and individuals in our area. If you are unable to source a donor, please consider making a personal donation. A gift certificate/card purchased from a favourite store or restaurant would be welcomed. A successful approach that has been used in the past is to ask the store owner/manager if they will match the gift card you purchase with an equivalent donation, e.g., you offer to buy a $50 gift card and ask that they match it for a second $50 gift card or a single $100 gift card. As always let us know if you need any help or if you have items to be picked up.
Be sure to participate in our Sign Campaign – see emails sent recently.
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
All members will have received an invitation to register for an RLI session. There are three Parts, each of which is a full day of interactive and insightful learning about Rotary and Leadership which are beneficial to Rotarians regardless of how long they have been a member. Please note that for member of our club the club will cover the $75 cost of registering. Contact Bill, Adrian or Vince if you have any questions.
Program Highlights
Our presenters today were April Scida and Jody Goddard from the Basketeers. April is a Grade 4 teacher at Forest Hill Public School and Jody works at Grand River Hospital. Both ladies have lived in the area for most of their lives and have a passion for helping others.
Here are some of the highlights from their presentation:
Our Charity
Two Local best friends trying to fill a need in the community
Annual campaign to support women and children in YWCA Supportive Housing
Donate baskets filled with personal hygiene, home care products and winter items
How Did It Start?
Basketeers was running in KW under different coordinators and Jody had heard about the cause and wanted to help. She would throw “donation” parties at her home where guests would bring items and together we would build and wrap baskets. The first few years we were able to donate 4 to 8 baskets that were delivered to the YMCA shelter.
Becoming Coordinators
Basketeers was originally started by a woman in Toronto over 26 years ago and has grown to have chapters in a variety of cities across Ontario. When the local organizers decided to retire we knew we had to step up to the challenge and continue the vision . . .
Reaching Out
We just started to ask our friends and family and the donations came in. Everyone was happy to help local. We used our living rooms to collect, sort and wrap.
Past Campaigns
2012: 35 baskets
2022: 55 baskets – Block Line Shelter
2023: 40 large baskets and 17 children’s gifts
2024: 45 large baskets, 55 medium baskets & 25 children’s gifts – 2 locations
Typical Basket Contents
Personal Items – blankets, towels, socks, winter hats / gloves and scarves, chocolates
Hygiene Items – Toothpaste/brush, Shampoo Conditioner, Body Wash, Deodorant, Face Cloths, Hairbrushes
Children’s Gifts – Each year we purchase personalized gifts based off their wish list, we try to include games, winter attire or cozy sweaters and a sweet treat!
Local Support
All of our Donations come from friends, family and neighbours. We rely on people sharing the idea with others. The campaign is run out of our homes and only grows when we can expand our supporters
Rotary Donation 2025
Kitchener Rotary donated $1,000
Last year’s donation allowed us to purchase any of the items that we still needed to complete all of the baskets and requests. We always try to keep baskets equal and we often need to do some shopping once all product donations have been received some can ensure everyone gets the same. Your donation allowed us to do that and add a few treats as well.
How People Can Help
Campaign runs from November 1st to November 28th
Purchased items can be donated – Shampoo/Conditioner, Body Wash, Deodorant are items that are always appreciated and needed.
Or money can be donated to use for Children’s gifts or products that are needed to fill the baskets
Help spread the word of the program to others. The more supports we have the more JOY we can spread
Please reach out to April or Jody if you have any questions, or would like to get involved:
Kitchener Rotary e-Newsletter
