Rotarians Learn About the Personal Tragedies of Living in Ukraine and Having to Leave
Grant Robinson introduced our guest speaker, Natalia
Egorenkov. She has been in Canada for 19 years having immigrated from Ukraine. Her dad came from Belarus. When the war broke out February 24, she was conflicted. Her mom and dad at the time were in Pakistan but she had aunts and uncles still living in the Ukraine. It was a shock for everyone when the war started. No one could quite believe that it was a fact. Her Aunt lives on the northeast side of Ukraine near Russia. When the invasion started, all her aunt wanted was to get her daughter to safety. They decided to go to Germany by going through Romania and Hungary. By the time they reached Hungary, Canada had opened its borders to the Ukraine refugees and with Natalia'spromptings, they fled to Canada. Canada was not an easy choice for them. They had many naysayers who said it was too far away and too cold. They arrived June 1, two groups of three and experienced one of Ontario’s hottest summers. They found the County very kind. One person offered them a bungalow on Paul Street that they could use rent free for a year and then another person did the same with a cottage in Cherry Valley. Our club donated a laptop which enabled them to apply for a SIN and OHIP numbers and book their immigrant medical tests. It also enabled them to learn English with on-line courses.
QHC News Release: Picton Rotary Backs the Build
July 19,2022.A local service club continues to support the campaign for a new hospital in Prince Edward County. Volunteers from the Rotary Club of Picton presented Shannon Coull, executive director of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation (PECMHF) and Back the Build Campaign Cabinet members Elizabeth Crombie and Paul Massey with an $11,024 pledge installment towards their $100,000 commitment to the new hospital fundraising campaign at their weekly meeting. Elizabeth, Paul and Shannon are all Rotarians.This donation, raised through annual fundraising events held by the Rotary Club of Picton brings the total amount raised by the Club to $49,174 for PECMHF’s Back the Build campaign.
“The Rotary Club of Picton’s continued support of the hospital and the community at large is both inspirational and longstanding,” said Coull who is also a Picton Rotarian. “The Foundation’s partnership with the Rotary Club of Picton spans more than 20 years of generosity from the Club over the years. Picton Rotary has contributed over $162,000 which has helped fund essential equipment needed at our County hospital and now Backs the Build for our new hospital.”
The Rotary Club of Picton raised this year’s funds through their annual Waterfalls Tour, the Lilac Ride, cash calendar sales, and other fundraising activities. The breakdown of funds received from each Rotary sanctioned event is as follows:
- Waterfalls Tour - $3,500;
- Lilac Ride - $3,023;
- Cash Calendar Sales - $4,162;
- Other activities - $339.
“We are thrilled to resume with in-person events after a two-year hiatus from many of our regular fundraising activities that support worthy causes in the community, including our local hospital,” said Barbara Proctor, president of the Rotary Club of Picton. “We are grateful to everyone who participates in our events whether they ride through the lilacs, bring their families to see the waterfalls, turn the page on our calendar each month, volunteer with us or donate a sponsorship or item for our auctions.”
The procedure room in the ambulatory clinic in the new Quinte Health Care Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital will be named in recognition of the Rotary Club of Picton’s philanthropic support.
“The work of the PECMHF and Campaign Cabinet would not be possible without philanthropic leaders in the community, and their commitment to making a difference, as the Rotary Club of Picton continues to do,” said Crombie. “The ongoing support from both of our local Rotary Clubs is another excellent example of the collaborative effort underway across Prince Edward County to help get our new, leading edge hospital built.”
Rotary is a global network of business leaders and professionals who place service to others above self. The Rotary Club of Picton was established on June 7, 1943. They are a vibrant club of approximately 50 members who are recognized as passionate supporters of the Prince Edward County community and can be counted on for both charity and volunteering, locally and internationally. More information on the Rotary Club of Picton and their fundraising events can be found by visiting www.pictonrotary.ca.
Pictured at the Prince Edward Yacht Club at the Rotary Club of Picton’s weekly meeting from left: Rotarian Rick Jones; Rotarian and Past President Dan Wight; Rotarian and Back the Build Campaign Cabinet Member, Paul Massey; Rotarian and PECMHF Executive Director, Shannon Coull and Rotarian and Back the Build Campaign Cabinet Member Elizabeth Crombie.
Photo: Briar Boyce
Hike for Hospice
To read the full Picton Gazette article about this event, click here.
Rotary Certificate of Appreciation Awarded to Angry Birds Owners For Ukraine Support
Incoming Rotary Club of Picton President Barbara Proctor presents to Debra Jeanes and Michael Hymus a RotaryFoundation International Certificate of Appreciation. 
Barb Proctor explained how the outstanding contribution by Debra Jeanes and Mike Hymus, owners of Angry Birds Restaurant, towards Ukraine Relief came about . As Rotary is committed to helping Ukraine ,Foundation Committee Chair Bob Bird approached Debra Jeanes to see if Angry Birds Rotisserie Chicken restaurant could contribute 10% of 1 weeks sales for Ukraine relief .Debra’s response was “I think we can do better than that “. In a matter of minutes, Debra has been on the phone to her business partner Michael Hymus and they agreed to pledge a week’s worth of sales including taxes to Ukraine support. The proceeds for the week in March resulted in a donation of $29,740 to support to Ukraine. This donation was divided between Shelterbox Canada and Health Partners International Canada.
Both Debra and Mike thanked the Club and how they were proud to contribute to such a worthwhile and needed cause.
.png)
Picton, ON K0K 2T0
Canada