Spring has never been overly predictable in this part of the world (Kingston through Ottawa to Montreal), but this past week’s April ice storm rivalled the winter ’98 ice storm that also took down a huge portion of the Ontario power grid for over a week. This spring storm dropped power lines and trees in areas that still haven’t been cleaned up since the windstorm that did so much sporadic damage just last summer. It’s a reminder of just how puny we and our structures are in the world – and of how many folk don’t have the same resources to put into recovery, or even to keep them safe during a severe weather event. I listened to the chirp of voices and snarl of chainsaws as the younger folk in our neighbourhood helped take down shattered trees before they could injure anybody; I watched as cars drove slowly over the cable that connected one neighbour’s generator to the house across the street, and then next to that one…and so on. I am grateful to be part of a community that joyfully shares strengths and weaknesses. I am privileged to able to support others, and more so, to be part of a larger organization for whom that is a primary goal. Thank you all for being Rotarians.
Here's a local opportunity for fellowship and service for some of you:
I’m passing on a note from Len Goddard.
Sonshine Community Ministries, a Registered Charity, operates a residential camp for individuals with special needs. The camp called Sonshine Cove is located on lac
Corbeau Quebec 120 kilometres north of Orleans off highway #309. Notre Dame Du Laius is the closest town. Each spring we need to do a clean up after the winter to prepare the camp for the summer. The work includes cleaning the beach, waterfront, and grounds, cutting up wood, trimming branches, cutting up firewood, cleaning inside the main lodge, preparing the equipment and water craft and so forth. We look for volunteers to help with the work. We are planning to do this on May 19-22. Would anyone from D7040 Passport Rotary Club be interested in volunteering their time to help (friends of Rotary are also welcome), perhaps for the Saturday or one of the other days. We would provide the meals for any volunteers.
