Rotary Club pays tribute to Dan Hunt, inducts 2023-24 board over the past week

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“All of you made a difference in his life,” Thom told the crowd.

Rotary Club of Amherstburg president Joan Donaldson said Hunt left “an indelible mark” on the club and the town. She called the clock project “a brilliant idea” and also pointed out Hunt was part of the original committee that organized Ribfest. In addition to that, Donaldson said Hunt helped with Beef in the ‘Burg, the Rotary’s Christmas parade float and “really too many other events to mention.”

“What set Dan apart from the rest was his ability to make sure every guest felt welcome in the club,” she said, noting it didn’t matter if it was a long-time Rotarian or a newcomer.

Donaldson said Hunt had “an unwavering commitment” to Rotary’s values, she added, and said Hunt was known for such qualities as integrity, passion and dedication. She hoped the memorial stone will “serve as a catalyst” for others to be generous, compassionate and philanthropic.

“We are very proud in Amherstburg of our Rotary Club,” said Mayor Michael Prue. “We are very proud of what you do, the members and the work you do.”

Prue encouraged the family to “remember this day. We’ll all remember this day. It’s a day to honour Dan and the Rotary Club.”

Sunday’s event included a visit from “Captain Rotary,” who was former District 6400 governor Noel Jackson in a superhero costume. He encouraged Rotarians to keep being “superheroes” in their communities.

The Rotary Club of Amherstburg also installed its executive for the new Rotary Year last Wednesday night at Lord Amherst. Donaldson will continue as president this year with Jeremy Warnock becoming the president-elect. The past president and treasurer continues to be Susanne Rainhard.

Rainhard was recognized as the Rotarian of the Year

The Rotary International Theme is “Create Hope in the World,” and the District 6400 theme is “Be the One.”

Among the accomplishments over the last Rotary year that Donaldson highlighted was working with the community to gather 150 cake boxes and goodies for our district-wide “Day of Service.” That saw a donation to Amherstburg Community Services (ACS), she noted.

There was a 24-hour Rotary Gleanathon in Leamington which Donaldson said resulted in the largest turn out from the club along with other volunteers.

Donaldson also pointed out a donation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for the Amherstburg Fire

Department. The cost to do that was $4,000 with the use of a matching community grant.

“We had our big Toronto Maple Leaf Alumni Game,” said Donaldson. “We managed to overcome challenges from the COVID-19 lockdown and brought the club and the community together.”

Donaldson added the Rotary Club participated in a “Socks and Bottoms” initiative that provided support for the homeless in Windsor-Essex County. They worked with other clubs on the program and kicked in $250.

“We donated $5,000 for a support dog to a young girl who was struggling with serious mental health concerns after experiencing trauma,” she added.

A program to help purchase diapers and wipes for Safe Families Windsor-Essex brought in $600 cash and approximately $300 in goods, Donaldson pointed out. The club also held a Christmas dinner using matching community grant funds for Safe Families volunteers and families.

Donaldson further stated the Rotary Club of Amherstburg took part in Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157’s Remembrance Day ceremony and presented a wreath.

The Rotary Club also awarded two scholarships over the past Rotary year. Donaldson said the generosity of the Paisley family allowed for the June “Roadhouse” Paisley Memorial Scholarship to be awarded to North Star High School graduate Daniel Morujo in the amount of $3,000.

Kara Murray, a graduate of E.J. Lajeunesse Secondary School, was chosen to receive the $2,000 Hazen Price Memorial Scholarship.

Donaldson offered special thanks to the club’s scholarship chair Karen Davidson.

The Rotary Club plans to honour Price with a memorial garden at the Park House Museum, she added. Price, who was described as “our most precious, longest serving member” passed away Dec. 2, 2022 at the age of 99.

Price was in the Rotary Club for over 74 years.

Having fundraisers, including a pair of fish fries, in memory of another former Rotarian helped raise money for Easter Seals, she added.

“We raised money for Easter Seals in memory of Martin Breshamer in March, donating $2,384 over two years,” said Donaldson.

Growing the membership of the Rotary Club of Amherstburg is a longstanding goal with Donaldson stating they gained three new members and two honourary members over the past year.

In addition to last Sunday’s event to recognize the club’s 90th birthday, a fundraising dinner is planned for Nov. 4 to help raise money for mental health initiatives. She stated mental health and wellness will be a focus for the club. That event will be at the Libro Centre and featured a catered meal and a chance to share Rotary memories.

More information and tickets will be available at a later date for the 90th birthday celebration dinner, she stated.

“We will participate with other clubs for Gleaners in Leamington in September,” said Donaldson. “We will continue to raise funds for Easter Seals in memory of Martin Breshamer.”

For more information on the Rotary Club of Amherstburg, please visit www.rotaryamherstburg.ca.