Volume 48,  Number 19                                                                                                                   November 18, 2004

 

Rotary Club of Toronto West

 

Rotary Grace – O Lord, we stand for every race, for every creed from every place, to give our thanks and say our grace for food, for health. May peace embrace the world through Rotary?

 

Last Meeting–November 4, 2004

            Our last meeting was on November 4th, and Stephen Thiele introduced our guest speaker Julie Brown, fund raiser for the Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre.

            Julie gave us a brief history on the organization, going back over 100 years, when The Ontario Society for Crippled Children was first formed by the Rotary Club of Windsor. The society solicited support of 230 service clubs in Ontario.

            Injured or disabled children went from the Sick Children’s Hospital to the Rotary funded Home for Incurable Children for long term care. Today, many of these children would be cared for at home under a more modern health care system.

            In the 1940’s, Easter Seals, which was first initiated in the U.S. was started in Canada by Con Smythe and Rotary.

Rotary Clubs formed the Ontario Society for Crippled Children, and funded camps for the children.

            It was at that time that two dozen women had a house and a dream. Those are the roots of Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre. The women met to discuss the creation of a “Home for incurable Children”. They called themselves the “Ladies Committee.”

            “While they were socially privileged, they were very aware of the community, and the need to provide a safe, caring environment for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities.”

            Today, Bloorview MacMillan Children’s Centre is Ontario’s largest children’s rehabilitation facility, providing hospital care, outpatient clinics, assistive technology services and community outreach activities to about 6,500 children and youth with disabilities and their families each year.

            They were good deal-makers, using their social connections to publicize their cause and secure donations.. Within seven months, a house and furnishings for 15 children had been donated at 138 Avenue Road. Donations included ice cream every Saturday for the children’s tea.

            The greatest change over the last century has been that “as medical knowledge , scientific discovery and technological innovations have progressed. Bloorview MacMillan has been able to do a lot more.

 

Wine Draw:

            The lucky winner of the bottle of wine, was Earl LaBerge. Congratulations Earl.

 

Visitors:

            Tracy Bailey, an associate of our guest speaker Julie Brown.

            Mark Wells, a guest of Mark Dawber.

            Gordon Lloyd, Rotary Club of Wellington (Belleville).

 

 

This Week:

            We are pleased to welcome Dr. Allan Toguri, Chief of Urology Division, The Scarborough Hospital.

Dr. Toguri will be talking to us about Men’s health issues.

 

Classifications:

Pharmacy.    

Chiropractic Physician.

 

Birthdays & Anniversaries:

Birthday – Albert Kezes – Nov. 4th.

Joined Rotary – Earl LaBerge –Nov. 6th.

Joined Rotary – Willis Rudy -  Nov. 6th.

Birthday – Mark Dawber – Nov. 7th.

Wedding Anniv. – Bill Belier & Allison - Nov. 6th.

Wedding Anniv. – Doug Ford Jr. & Karla – Nov. 12th.

 

Members’ News:

            Your Editor is pleased to be back after being indisposed for a few weeks. Thanks to Bill Belier and Paul Collier for keeping the SPOKE wheels turning.

 

Next Week-  November 25, 2004

            A real treat, Brian Hicks will be giving his classification talk. Brian’s classification is “Consultant-Multi Media”.

            If we are lucky, he will give us some of his tailors secrets.

 

Spoke Joke:

.           A lady phones the hospital and asks to speak with the person who gives out patient information. “But I don’t just want to know that the patient is doing well. I want all the details,” she says.

            A few seconds later a man with an authoritative voice comes on the line. “Are you the woman calling about the condition of Sarah Finkel in room 302. “Yes I am” the woman replied.

            The man say’s “Finkel, Finkel. Let me see. Oh yes, Mrs. Finkel is doing very well. In fact, her doctor says that if she continues improving as she is, he’s going to send her home Tuesday at noon.”

            “Thank God!” exclaims the woman, that’s wonderful news! I’m so happy to hear that!”

            He says, “You must be a close family member.”

            “No, I’m Sarah Finkel!” She says. “My doctor tells me nothing!”

 

Recognizing Veterans.

            It was appropriate that at this time of the year, we were asked to recognize the war veterans in our group.

            Heading the list is Bill Belier, who was a Navigator with the R.C.A.F. and Ron Wayman who served six years with the R.A.F. as a ground crew, engine fitter.

            If anyone has inadvertently been missed, please let the Editor know.

 

Night of 1000 Dinners

            Last Thursday, November11th., we met at the Keg Restaurant to celebrate the Night of 1000 Dinners.

            37 people were in attendance. Mark Dawber took the opportunity to present two certificates to the club for our contributions for the past two years to the “Clear the Landmines” project. A similar donation will be made this year.

            A short video was shown on why it is so important that all remaining landmines be removed as soon as possible  we saw many instances of the damage that can, and is being  caused by those mines that are still undetected.

            While the video dealt mainly with Viet Nam, there are many other places around the world that also need clearing.

            There are over 3.5 million mines still to be cleared, and about 2900 casualties occur each year.

            The video was very dramatic, and showed that support is needed to clear all these mines, as soon as possible.