Club News

Stay up to date with the latest news from our club. Learn about upcoming events and other great things happening in our community.

End Polio Now Video

October is End Polio Now month

October 24 is End Polio Now day.

LETS END POLIO WORLD WIDE


Each year in October Rotarians and like minded people around the  world  support Rotary’s World Health  Initiative to fundraiser for the End Polio Now program.
Details on how you can support this program are on the web at 

https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

 

End Polio Now Video
Food Distribution at Sidney Elementary School

Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution for 2024-25 school year.

Once again this school year’s food share program at Sidney Elementary School in which club members picked up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and meat from the food security distribution centre and distributed to parents.
You can read the program details from the above link “ Food Distribution at Sidney Elementary School “.

Food Distribution at Sidney Elementary School

Rotary supports the Environment in Ghana with the Greening for the Future initiative

Our club has recently supported the “ROTARY GREENING FOR THE FUTURE GHANA “ initiative.

Rotarians in Ghana Launch “Rotary Greens Ghana”

The project is to plant and care for approximately 1000 trees annually over the next few years.The initiative seeks to in-still an ingrained social behavioural change, transforming the idea of ‘greening’ the environment from merely planting trees to a comprehensive environmental conservation practice.
For more project information and how to support this initiative contact Ardul Rashid  local Rotary board director in Ghana  @ alhassan.rashid7@gmail.com

                       

Calendar of events and speakers

Rotary supporting Cycling without Age community program

The Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea is proud to support Cycling Without Age Society, Saanich Peninsula  chapter.
Our donation will help expand the program by purchasing an other Trishaw.
We were pleased that our D5020 District Governor Bill McGregor was on hand to be apart of  our club’s presentation of the donation of $15,000.

                   

            Bottom picture  of cheque presentation- from the right to the left:

Rotarian Bob Leitch, Chair Fundraising; Rotarian Bill McGregor, District Governor; CWA Bill Brooks; CWA Pilot Willi Fast; CWA Director Cheryl Brooks; CWA Vice President Maureen Dale; Rotarian Pieta VanDyke, Assistant Governor.

Join Rotary, listen to awesome speakers, meet new friends, have fun and do good!
Calendar of events and speakers

October is our annual poinsettias Saanich Peninsula community fundraiser. Contact any Sidney by the Sea club member to order your seasonal colourful poinsettias.

POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs.  Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November.


place your orders by Oct 27
        

VTRA WEBSITE

Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports VTRA

Rotary funds Socrates

 Rotary club of Sidney  by the Sea with other community groups, businesses and individuals supports the life changing program of the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association  for children and adults.
Recently we provided the necessary funds for the purchase of Socrates.

On September 25th, members of the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club visited VTRA for a special barn tour led by Executive Director Liz Gagel. It was an opportunity to watch a lesson in action and spend time with Socrates, the incredible horse whose purchase was made possible through the club’s donation earlier this year.

We were told that Socrates has been a star at VTRA, the two pictures  with clients below  were taken in action at the annual Horse Show and during summer camps as provided by VTRA.

                                             

VTRA WEBSITE

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community initiatives.

Rotary support to the ArtSea Community Arts Council

 Rotary is  joining in with other community groups and businesses to enhance the Arts in the Saanich Peninsula.

The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea is a 2024 ArtSea President’s Circle Supporter!

ArtSea is grateful to The Rotary Club of Sidney by the Sea for providing a generous contribution toward ArtSea programs, including the Salish Sea Lantern Festival.

 

See us on Facebook at at the Fair

Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community. The Rotary Sugar Shack at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event. AUG 31-Sept 2. Drop by; try our new product “Dole Whip” and the other tasty products.

Our Rotary club will be operating a concession Sugar Shack. We are adjacent to the midway.Thank you to all that supported our concession.
  • While you are at the historic annual Saanich Fall Fair visit the Sugar Shack. Our Rotary club will be operating an ice cream concession serving patrons with delicious dairy soft ice cream, sundaes, dole whip, hotdogs, candy floss and cold drinks. We are located adjacent to the midway.
    Look for the Sugar Shack and know that proceeds from sales go to community initiatives.

See us on Facebook at at the Fair

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. Sidney Thursday evening Street Market

Club booth at the Thursday market

Sidney by the Sea Rotarians joining in with other community groups and vendors at the Thursday evening Street market.

Come and learn why the folks are smiling

                                                                                       

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community initiatives.

Club booth at the Thursday market

Sidney by the Sea Rotary is  joining in with other community groups and businesses to enhance the museum’s 

 

2024 Victoria Ironman

Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2024 Victoria Ironman event

On Sunday 26 May Sidney by the Sea Rotary ran Bike Aid Station #2 for the Victoria Ironman 70.3 triathlon. 24 Rotarians and friends helped supply just under 2000 athletes from 16 different countries with water, gatorade and food to sustain them on their long race. Despite the somewhat  drizzly day all that participated enjoyed helping the athletes with nourishment and encouragement.

This is the 8th year that the club has helped out and helped raise funds to give back to the local community.

2024 Victoria Ironman
PURCHASE TICKETS FOR LOBSTERFEST

Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community by Fundraising with the annual Lobsterfest the first Saturday of June.

Each year Rotary partners with the Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation to host a community Lobsterfest fundraising event.

Lobsterfest takes place at the Mary Winspear Centre the first Saturday of  June.

Over 200 people enjoy a sit down feed of fresh East Coast lobster with all the fixing’s, live music, cash bar a fantastic silent auction.

Funds raised at the event are disbursed to programs that help our community.

             tickets for this years June 1 event are available on line

******to  buy tickets use the purchase tickets button  *******

PURCHASE TICKETS FOR LOBSTERFEST

Rotary supports the Environment by helping remove invasive Scotch Broom and clean up plastics at Island View Beach Park

Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on March 26. About Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing invasive Scotch Broom  as well as litter and washed up debris. 

           

             Area cleared of Scotch Broom.                                    

Learn about the Centre for the Salish Sea

Rotary supports the education of our youth on the Culture and Biodiversity of the Salish Sea by funding environmental educational programs such the 2024 Summer Camps Program.


Our club is pleased to provide funds for the Centre for the Salish summer youth camp programs.

A quote from a former summer camp participant who is now returning as a camp co-leader..

 

Learn about the Centre for the Salish Sea
Elementary School food distribution

Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution opens again for 2023-24 school year.

We are pleased to announce the continuation of our club’s ongoing partnership with the Greater Victoria food security distribution centre established a food share program at Sidney Elementary School. Our club members pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and meat from the food security distribution centre and setup tables at Sidney Elementary. Club members hand out the food to parents after school to ensure families have fresh food at home. The program reaches many families.

Elementary School food distribution
Shredfest video link

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea are Protecting the Environment by  hosting a very popular drive-thru secure  paper shredding fundraiser event on Saturday April 20. The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business, and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled and does not go to a landfill. Come out to this Earth Day weekend event in Sidney 10:00 am-1:00pm or until the truck is full  @ Mary Winspear Centre parking lot near the Sidney Fire Hall.
Recommended minimum donation of $15 per bankers box or equivalent. Please don’t leave us with any plastic.
We appreciate the support of  the  Seaside Magazine, Mary Winspear Centre, Best Shredding, Coastal Heat Pumps, local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.Thank you to all that supported this fundraising event.

Proceeds from this EARTH DAY related event will be given to local community initiatives.

Screenshot


Rotary is very committed to protecting the environment and encourages and embraces not  only recycling but advocating the reduction of waste and plastics.
https://www.rotary.org/en/why-climate-change-issue-rotary
Shredfest video link
Rotarians taking the polar dip

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. The New Years 2024 Polar Bear swim

Rotary taking the plunge at Glass Beach Sidney 2024 Polar Swim

Sidney by the Sea Rotarians joining in with other community ocean dippers Jan 1 ,2024  at Glass Beach Sidney.
We aren’t sure if the white Polar Bear outfits retained any body warmth but they certainly stood out as a group of fun loving thrill seekers.

                         

Rotarians taking the polar dip

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. Sidney Sparkle Parade

  • “Sidney by the Seas  Rotary members Jane Evans (aka: Ms. Claus) and Tara Keeping (aka Frosty the Snowman)  are seen preparing for the Sparkles Christmas Parade in Sidney. The EV Sled is decked out in Rotary colours with Lola the Lobster riding atop to advertise Lobsterfest 2024.
    Pleasing all those young and old alike who watched the parade.”

Calendar of events and speakers

Rotary supporting youth programs

Rotary club of Sidney by the Sea is proud to support the 676 Kittyhawk Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron with a cheque for $2,000.
  The donation will help with the upgrading of the Flight simulator 
Our own, Dennis Sutton, peering over the cheque like Tim the Tool Time’s neighbor, gave an excellent presentation on what Rotary is doing world-wide to eradicate polio.
                                                                                                                                       
Join Rotary, listen to awesome speakers, meet new friends, have fun and do good!
Calendar of events and speakers

THANK YOU TO ALL THE BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS THAT SUPPORTED THIS YEARS POINSETTIAS FUNDRAISER.

POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs.  Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November. Thank you to all that supported this annual fundraiser.

Calendar of events and speakers

Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved

Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.

– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.

Our speaker topic on Oct 2 was Climate change and Environmental Sustainability Town of Sidney.
Mayor Cliff introduced the Town’s commitment. “  In 2019, Sidney Council declared a climate emergency and resolved to continue work towards achieving carbon neutrality both in the community and corporate level”
Kira Gill-Maher  presnted the Towns Climate Action plan.  For specific info reach out to the Town’s  Climate Action & Policy Planner:    Kira Gill-Maher
climateaction@sidney.ca
Do you want to see more awesome speakers live? Join Sidney by the Sea Rotary and see a different speaker every Thursday morning. Message us for details. The first coffee and muffins is on us!
Calendar of events and speakers
Calendar of events and speakers

Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved

Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.

– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.

We will be celebrating Rotary End Polio Now this month with speakers at our Oct 26 meeting sharing their connection to polio.

J

Rotary End Polio Now Initiative             https://www.endpolio.org

No one should have to suffer from a preventable disease. This #WorldPolioday, join organizations like @Rotary, @WHO, @UNICEF, @CDCGlobal, @gatesfoundation, @Gavi and make an impact. Get involved: endpol.io/wpd

Calendar of events and speakers
2023 Victoria Ironman

Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2023 Victoria Ironman event

On Sunday 28 May Sidney by the Sea Rotary ran Bike Aid Station #2 for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. 25 Rotarians and friends helped supply just under 2000 athletes from 17 different countries with water, gatorade and food to sustain them on their long race. This is the 7th year that the club has helped out and helped raise funds to give back to the local community.

2023 Victoria Ironman

Sidney by the Sea Rotary participating in our community events. The Salish Sea Lantern Festival Aug 26, 2023

SID THE LOBSTER AND LOLA THE LANTERN
  • Sid the Lobster from the Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club and his sister Lola the Lantern, also from the same club, are seen here getting ready to strut their stuff at the Salish Sea Lantern festival held at Beacon Park in Sidney on Saturday Aug. 26th, pleasing all those young and old alike who watched the parade.”

Donation article on the Centre for the Salish Sea

Rotary supports the Environment by funding environmental educational programs such as the Microplastics Community Science Toolkit at the Salish Sea Centre.

Our club is pleased to provide funds for the Centre for the Salish Sea to purchase a Microplastic Community Science Toolkit which has been developed by Ocean Diagnostics, Victoria.

Acknowledge and details are found in the article in the Penninsula News review . See the attached link

.

Donation article on the Centre for the Salish Sea

Rotary supports educational achievements by providing scholarships .

Our club through its fundraising initiatives are pleased to provide funds to further post secondary education opportunities to local students.

This year Sidney By the Sea Rotary selected three inspiring young adults by awarding each with a financial scholarship:

– Cordelia “Corde” Taylor -from Parkland Secondary School who will attend UVic entering the Visual Arts program

– Kai Stenstrom – from Claremont Secondary School who will attend McGill university entering the Faculty of Science
– Bianca Staffeldt-Jost – from Stelly’s Secondary School who will attend UBC entering the Environmental Sciences program
We look forward to their scholastic achievements and how they will make a difference!

Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community. The Rotary Sugar Shack at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Sept 2- 4,2023

Our Rotary club will be operating a concession serving patrons with delicious piled island dairy hard scooped ice cream, soft ice cream, hotdogs, candy floss and cold drinks. We are located adjacent to the midway.Thank you to all that supported our concession.
  • This year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club will be operating an ice cream concession serving patrons with delicious piled island dairy hard scooped ice cream, soft ice cream, hotdogs, candy floss and cold drinks. We are located adjacent to the midway.
    Look for the Sugar Shack and know that proceeds from sales go to community initiatives.

 

Paper Shreding Video

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our club is having a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 22, 2023. The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business, and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled. Come out to this Earth Day event in Sidney 10:00 am-1:00 pm @ Mary Winspear Centre parking lot .
We appreciate the support of  the  Seaside Magazine and Mary Winspear Centre , local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.Thank you to all that supported this fundraising event.

Paper Shreding Video
Centre for the Salish Sea

Rotary supports the Environment by helping fund environmental educational programs

Our club through its fundraising initiatives are pleased to provide funds to further the environmental education initiatives at the Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney

.

Centre for the Salish Sea

Christmas Gift Sale November 19 BC CANCER AND ROTARY

SIDNEY BY THE SEA Rotary and Victoria Cancer Foundation Gift Sale Location: Shoal Centre 10030 Resthaven Dr. Sidney BC Date/Time: Saturday Nov-19-2022 from 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

THANK YOU TO THOSE THAT SUPPORTED THIS FUNDRAISING EVENT

Calendar of events and speakers

Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved

Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.

– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.

We had an  awesome speaker in January and he is a Rotarian with the West Shore Rotary Club! He played us a touching video about his and other Canadian’s work in the Ukraine. The following short video was part of the presentation:
      https://youtu.be/y_rUekMiClM
Bob Beckett is returning to the Ukraine with more  medical and emergency supplies, equipment and training. If you would like to donate to this cause, please

 open this link.   https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/city-of-langford-globalmedic-ukraine-humanitarian-/

Do you want to see more awesome speakers live? Join Sidney by the Sea Rotary and see a different speaker every Thursday morning. Message us for details. The first coffee and muffins is on us!
Calendar of events and speakers

Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution

Our club, in partnership with the Greater Victoria food security distribution centre established a food share program at Sidney Elementary School. Our club members pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and meat from the food security distribution centre and setup tables at Sidney Elementary. Club members hand out the food to parents after school to ensure families have fresh food at home. The program reaches many families.

This past September club members helped out with BC 50+ games community.

Sidney by the Sea Rotarians and the BC 50+ Games

Club members  actively supported the 50+ BC Seniors Games September 13-17 with the registration of athletes in more than 22 different events and 3500 participants.

Calendar of events and speakers

Breakfast Speaker meetings Check out our upcoming events page under header Get Involved

Most Thursday morning we have a speaker at our Breakfast meetings.

– details are posted on our upcoming events calendar when you tap on the date.

for example:

Thursday Dec 8 we had an energized presentation by Gary Smith author and former diplomat on  behind the scenes of the Summit Hockey Series 1972 “ Ice War Diplomat: Behind the Scenes at the 1972 Summit Series“ 

Marking the 50th anniversary of the historic Summit Series, here is the incredible story of an unlikely political stage–the hockey rink–where a Cold War, and the threat of nuclear annihilation, is no less important than a power play in the final minute.

check out this Youtube link

https://youtu.be/TqKEU9IlRfI

Another  notable author presentation  was  November 17  by author. Jim Kingham about his recently released book “ Solutions for a Wounded Planet.

Calendar of events and speakers

October is our annual poinsettias community fundraiser. Contact any Sidney by the Sea club member to order your seasonal colourful poinsettias.

POINSETTIA SALES
Each year approaching the winter holidays, our members sell poinsettias to friends, colleagues and local businesses. These sales raise funds to support various causes from literacy programs, ORCCA dental centre, the Sidney Lions Food Bank , local youth and senior programs.  Over 900 poinsettias are sold each year and delivered to buyers by our members in a single day near the end of November.

place your orders by Oct 17.                  

Rotary supports the Environment by clean up litter and plastics at Island View Beach Park

Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on May 13. Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing litter and washed up debris. After completing the community volunteer work we gathered at a picnic shelter enjoying a picnic style lunch and social.


Rotary supports the Environment by clean up litter and plastics at Island View Beach Park

Our club had a lovely sunny outing at one of our local ocean view parks on May 13. Two dozen of us helped clean up Island View Beach Park by removing litter and washed up debris. After completing the community volunteer work we gathered at a picnic shelter enjoying a picnic style lunch and social.


Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community ; the Ice Cream trailer at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Set 3 - 5 ,2022

Each year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club operates an ice cream trailer serving patrons with delicious piled high Island Farms hard scooped ice cream cone.

Purchase Noah and the Tri-ceratops book

Rotarian Stephanie Staples has an illustrated childrens book that will challenge their creative minds

Use Noah and the Try-ceratops  to help children see the fun in exploring, experimenting and trying different things, even when it’s hard.

Purchase Noah and the Tri-ceratops book

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community Rotary Environment Day June 5 was a day of inspiring speakers and displays showcasing environmental sustainability initiatives.

 

Our club’s event is June 5 at Mary Winspear Centre.

“ Acting Locally  –  to save the Environment                    https://rotarybythesea.org/environment-day/

End Polio Now

October is End Polio Now month

October 24 is End Polio Now day.

LETS END POLIO WORLD WIDE


Each year in October Rotarians and like minded people around the  world  support Rotary’s World Health  Initiative to fundraiser for the End Polio Now program.
Details on how you can support this program are on the web at 

https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day

 

End Polio Now

Rotarians volunteer to help with the 2022 Victoria Ironman event

On May 29, Rotarian volunteers hand out electrolyte drinks and energy bars at the Horth Hill/  Tatlow Rd. feeding station

for the athletes cycling this portion of the Victoria 2022 Iron man event.

           https://www.ironman.com/im703-victoria-course

Sidney by the Sea Rotary supports our community ; the Ice Cream trailer at the Saanich Peninsula Fall Fair is one such event Set 3 - 5 ,2022

Each year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club operates an ice cream trailer serving patrons with delicious piled high Island Farms hard scooped ice cream cone.

Rotary’s Canada Flag program was fundraising initiative for our community. This has been discontinued . Thank to those that participated.

Our club recognizes the contribution of 100 year old veteran Peter Chance at our special Remembrance Day meeting

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

 

Our club held  a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 23, 2022; Earth day . Thank you to all that supported this event.We appreciate the support of  the  Seaside Magazine and Mary Winspear Centre , local businesses and residents of the Saanich Peninsula.

The contracted shredder is a certified carbon-neutral business and ensures that all shredded paper is properly recycled.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=703800010650664

Rotary Sidney Elementary Food Distribution

Our club, in partnership with the Greater Victoria food security distribution centre established a food share program at Sidney Elementary School. Our club members pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy and meat from the food security distribution centre and setup tables at Sidney Elementary. Club members hand out the food to parents after school to ensure families have fresh food at home. The program reaches many families.

Rotary reaches out to support COVID-19 prevention

Rotary is taking action in response to the pandemic as our clubs support COVID-19 vaccination and continued prevention efforts around the world.