Club News

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 support this fundraising event.

                                                                                                   


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
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.                                    

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.”

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

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
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

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
        

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

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.

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.”

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!

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
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

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.


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.

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

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

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/

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

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

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

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.

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

Rotary reaches out to support COVID-19 equipment needs.

Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club contributed funds to the Rotary Club Agra Tajmahal to purchase equipment to help in the fight against Covid 19.  

Thank you to those that supported the Rotary summer raffle and the Ice Cream wagon at the Saanich Peninsula Fair

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our club held a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 24. The contracted shredder was a a certified carbon-neutral business, which ensured that all shredded paper was properly recycled. Thank you to all that supported this event. 

This September is Rotary Education and Literacy month . We encourage you to support Saanich Peninsula Literacy programs

Check out the details for the 1000×5 children’s books program that our club supports.

Our ice cream wagon at the Saanich Peninsula Fair is back! September 4-6 ,2021

SAANICH FAIR ICE CREAM WAGON

Each year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club operates an ice cream wagon serving patrons with delicious piled high Island Farms hard scooped ice cream cones. Funds raised at the ice cream wagon support Christmas hampers our club prepares for local families in need, scholarships for high school students.

Our Rotary summer raffle fundraising programs is back! Draw date September 7

Check out the details for our annual raffle and purchase tickets on our RaffleNexus site.

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our club held a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 24. The contracted shredder was a a certified carbon-neutral business, which ensured that all shredded paper was properly recycled. Thank you to all that supported this event. 

June 8 Ocean day beach clean up and restoration

Rotarians volunteered at Island View Regional Park on June 7th for World Ocean Day.

It was beautiful morning outing to greet park visitors, pickup plastic and debris along the beach shoreline and diligently remove invasive species Scotch Broom from the park. Rotary is supporting the environment with hands on projects like this.

A Big Wish - A Big Gift

Reem, the eldest child of a Syrian refugee family in our community had a special Christmas wish: to receive a Christmas Tree for Christmas. Sidney by the Sea Rotary members came together to make her wish come true.  To the family’s surprise, a fully decked out tree arrived at their door this Christmas to be the family’s first Christmas tree.

Sidney by the Sea Rotary Celebrates 25 Years of service

Our club’s 25th anniversary was November 20, 2020. To celebrate, the club displayed 25 flags and our club banner at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Thank you to the Mary Winspear Centre and the community at large for supporting Rotary over the last 25 years.

COVID-19 Support

Our club works diligently within our community to help those most affected by COVID-19. For example, our club made face masks that were available by donation for the local Food Bank. This past Spring our club members supported a double up initiative for our local frontline medical workers and support staff.

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 equipment needs.

Sidney by the Sea Rotary Club contributed funds to the Rotary Club Agra Tajmahal to purchase equipment to help in the fight against Covid 19.  

This month 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 Nov 1.

Thank you to those that supported the Rotary summer raffle and the Ice Cream wagon at the Saanich Peninsula Fair

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our club held a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 24. The contracted shredder was a a certified carbon-neutral business, which ensured that all shredded paper was properly recycled. Thank you to all that supported this event. 

This September is Rotary Education and Literacy month . We encourage you to support Saanich Peninsula Literacy programs

Check out the details for the 1000×5 children’s books program that our club supports.

Our ice cream wagon at the Saanich Peninsula Fair is back! September 4-6 ,2021

SAANICH FAIR ICE CREAM WAGON

Each year during the historic annual Saanich Fair, our club operates an ice cream wagon serving patrons with delicious piled high Island Farms hard scooped ice cream cones. Funds raised at the ice cream wagon support Christmas hampers our club prepares for local families in need, scholarships for high school students.

Our Rotary summer raffle fundraising programs is back! Draw date September 7

Check out the details for our annual raffle and purchase tickets on our RaffleNexus site.

June 8 Ocean day beach clean up and restoration

Rotarians volunteered at Island View Regional Park on June 7th for World Ocean Day.

It was beautiful morning outing to greet park visitors, pickup plastic and debris along the beach shoreline and diligently remove invasive species Scotch Broom from the park. Rotary is supporting the environment with hands on projects like this.

Rotary supports the Environment while fundraising for our community

Our club held a very popular paper shredding fundraiser event on April 24. The contracted shredder was a a certified carbon-neutral business, which ensured that all shredded paper was properly recycled. 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.

A Big Wish - A Big Gift

Reem, the eldest child of a Syrian refugee family in our community had a special Christmas wish: to receive a Christmas Tree for Christmas. Sidney by the Sea Rotary members came together to make her wish come true.  To the family’s surprise, a fully decked out tree arrived at their door this Christmas to be the family’s first Christmas tree.

Sidney by the Sea Rotary Celebrates 25 Years of service

Our club’s 25th anniversary was November 20, 2020. To celebrate, the club displayed 25 flags and our club banner at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Thank you to the Mary Winspear Centre and the community at large for supporting Rotary over the last 25 years.

COVID-19 Support

Our club works diligently within our community to help those most affected by COVID-19. For example, our club made face masks that were available by donation for the local Food Bank. This past Spring our club members supported a double up initiative for our local frontline medical workers and support staff.