June 8, (despite the rain), was a wonderful day at Bathurst High School when Bathurst Rotary and the Coronation Park Committee teamed together to Commemorate the Anniversary of D-Day and Family Day.  After a service held in their honor, several veterans, reserves, and cadets as well as family members and the general public enjoyed a BBQ, a wonderful musical score by the Community Band, children’s activities with the help from student volunteers, and much more.  Bathurst Mayor Stephen Brunet and Liberal MLA Bryan Kenny were on hand for the festivities.

Thanks to all who participated in this annual event.

McHappy Days bring together over 1400 participating McDonald’s restaurants across Canada, welcoming local VIPs to help raise funds in their communities.  Since 1977 McHappy Days has raised over $32 million to help provide a healing place for families of seriously ill children such as the Ronald McDonald House in Halifax, N.S. 

Shown here is Rotary President Carmel Hickey participating at the Bathurst McDonald’s on May 8, 2013

The Rotary Club of Bathurst adopted Vanier Blvd as the street they dedicate to clean up every Spring.  Rotarians are to meet at 4:30 at Atlantic Host on May 31, 2013 to begin clean-up and meet afterwards for refreshments at the Host.  Bruce is organizing the event.  Anyone wishing to help out is more than welcome.  If raining, clean up that day is canceled.

Dawn to Dusk is a Food Drive for the local Volunteer Center.  The project was coordinated by Rotarian Meredith Caissie, Old Dutch donated a vehicle for Rotarians to place bags of non-perishable items donated during the day, and delivered later to the Bathurst Volunteer Center.  Drop off locations are at Beresford, Petit Rocher, and at the Promenade Bathurst.  Al Cotton is our Rotary  representative for the Volunteer Center.  During the October 2012 food drive, teamed with MAX 104.9, 289 bags of non-perishable food items PLUS $400 in donations were received by volunteers.  A big THANK-YOU to all volunteers, student helpers,  contributors, sports teams who went door to door, and the public.  Without these donations, the Bathurst Volunteer Center would not be able to provide for those in need throughout the winter months.

The Snow Bear Family Activity Day is an annual event, was held on February 17, 2013, organized by the Coronation Parkommittee, and held in Coronation Park and Bathurst High School. Several activities were organized from noon to 4pm. Free chicken bouillon was served in the BHS cafeteria by Carla Roy, cafeteria manager. We received donations for food items to go with the bouillon — biscuits/donuts/Dairytown milk/ McDonalds juice/water. People volunteered their time to oversee the activities. Doucet’s Landscaping helped build a snow hill behind the BHS bus lane. We offered snowshoeing, snow golf, sliding, boot hockey, horse sleigh rides outdoors. Inside BHS, we had a BounceHouse, cup-stacking, coloring, Lego, and gymnasium sports, (mini basketball, Athletics, Zumba & mini volleyball).

A huge thank-you to all who participated and contributed.

Weekend of Thanks is a project with the Hospital Foundation (both of which
Rotary supports financially). Rotary is the Event Sponsor for the Weekend of
Thanks ($5,000.00 sponsorship) and we have an awareness event (BBQ) held
downtown on a noon hour in advance of the event day. The event day is held at
the Farmers Market when we sell Weekend of Thanks bracelets (also sold at the
BBQ and area banks/credit unions) which entitles the holder to put their name
into a draw box on event day and have a chance to win a turkey, other prizes.
Max 104.9 joins us on event day, promote the event, and announce the
winners (7 or more each hour). Rotary has raised about $10,000.00 annually for the
Hospital Foundation with this event – sponsorship makes up at least 1/2 of that
amount – THANK-YOU TO ALL WHO HELPED IN THE 2012 EVENT.