A Walk in the Park with Rotary - Sunday, September 26, 2010

What a beautiful day we had to host the annual Foundation Challenge Walk!  It really was a “walk in the park”, literally in Earl Rowe Provincial Park, and figuratively since everyone who participated made it so easy to have a wonderful day.

Over 350 Rotarians and family and friends joined the members and friends of The Rotary Club of Alliston for a day of fabulous scenery, terrific fellowship, and tremendous generosity as District 7070 raised more than $125,000 for our Foundation.   This is a great “kick start” toward our district’s Foundation goal this year.

The walk began at our Rotary home, The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture.  Early arrivers had the benefit of touring this building that, from 2000 to 2007, was transformed from “factory to fabulous”.   The walk itself took place in the provincial park where participants were welcomed by the Honourable Earl Rowe himself and learned much information about the natural and cultural history of this hidden gem of a park.   Lunch was served and formalities observed, with the introduction of club presidents, assistant governors, past district governors, the outbound Vocational Training Team, and the Youth Exchange students.

The most significant was the introduction of this year’s winner of The Foundation Challenge Walk.  With the highest per capita pledge total, the honour of hosting next year’s walk is The Rotary Club of Cobourg.  Well done and we look forward to another great walk next year.

Once again, a huge “thank you” goes to all who participated.