By Angela Brown

Rotary supports Sask. Hospital campaign

Jun 29, 2018 | 2:00 PM

The Rotary Club of the Battlefords took the opportunity to contribute $10,000 to the Saskatchewan Hospital North Battleford New Beginnings campaign during its year-end wrap-up meeting Thursday.

The 2018-2019 new president Wayne Ray was welcomed during the event as outgoing president Terry Blanchette stepped down after giving some highlights of the 2017-2018 year.

Ray said the new hospital will benefit everyone.

“I think it’s important to support the New Beginnings program,” he said. “The Saskatchewan Hospital has a direct relationship to not only economic activity in the Battlefords, but also to the mental health aspect we’re looking forward to as well.”

The need for mental health support was a highlight of the meeting as Rotarians heard concerns of youth suicides earlier this year. Earlier, Rotary made a financial contribution to support the project to bring TSN personality and mental health advocate Michael Landsberg to the Battlefords earlier in the year to talk about the issue.

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Ray said Rotary is still determining what new project it will undertake to benefit mental health, but this will be a mandate for the club going forward. Ray added Rotary will be meeting with various organizations in the Battlefords in an effort to partner with them on some initiative.    

Centennial approaching

Ray said looking ahead, the local Rotary will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2020 so it is starting to discuss how it will mark this milestone.  

“I think it’s going to be a great year for our Rotary Club,” Ray added. “There are a lot of projects we’re looking forward to.”

He also said the Rotary is in a good financial position with a “sound bank account” right now, and will be working on some “significant projects” to support. 

He said the Rotary also continues to put the word out in an effort to gain more members. It currently has about 31 active members. 

“Rotary is one of the largest organizations in the Battlefords, but we need additional help in some of the projects we’d like to deal with,” added the new president.

Awarding service

During the meeting the Rotary honoured members who have made outstanding contributions to the community with awards for their service. 

It was an emotional night for Sharon Mohagen who received the Integrity Award for her long-term contributions with Rotary and in the community. At one time she had been involved in as many as 30 organizations as a volunteer within the same year.

“I’ve very honoured and of course thrilled,” Mohagen said on receiving the award. “It’s a wonderful group and one that is close to my heart as well.”

“We all have to do our duty and become involved in our community,” she added. “You just have to be involved in your community if you want to make it better.”

Rotary recognized member Keri Payne with the Paul Harris Fellows Award. The award recognizes a Rotarian who exemplifies the motto ‘Service Above Self’ and has made a significant contribution to Rotary.

Williams thanked Payne, who also served as Rotary secretary for the 2017-18 year, for her time and commitment to the organization.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW