Recent Club Projects:
Our work begins in our own community.
· Access for All Wheelchair Accessible Playground at Mattie McCullough Elementary School in Red Deer ($500,000)
· Camp Waskaway, a collaboration with Youth HQ and Boys & Girls Club, to develop a new leadership camp for youth ages 13 – 17 in Central Alberta ($15,000)
· Mel Stevenson Art Student Scholarships awarded each year in Red Deer High Schools ($1,400)
· Team Alex – suicide prevention coaching program, Christmas Wreath Fundraiser with Stems Flowers and Café ($1,200) l
International Projects:
Funds raised locally also provide opportunities to leverage funding for large global projects. We are proud members of Rotary International with access to worldwide connections and talent.
· Belize Maya Villages Empowerment project, co-partnership with 4 other Rotary Clubs, to encourage sustainable economic development and entrepreneurship
· Rotary Foundation International and the Polio Plus Campaign. Since our Club was chartered, members have contributed over $219,000 for the eradication of Polio
· Three Adopt a Village projects completed in Uganda to assist with health, hunger and education provisions for small rural villages. Our $28,000 donation was matched and multiplied by the Rotary Foundation and the Government of Canada for a total allocation to the Uganda projects of $105,735. In 2009 five Sunrise Rotarians traveled to Uganda to conduct a site visit of the first Adopt-A-Village project and identify other project opportunities
· Shelter Box project raised funds to help provide a temporary refuge for families devasted by natural disaster and conflict. A small contribution to the Rotary International partnership with disaster relief charity Shelter Box made a big difference
· Honduras Micro Credit Program ($6,000)
· Monty Audenart Dentistry program ($5,000)
For more information on Club International projects click here https://rdrotarysunrise.ca/page/international-service
International Youth Exchanges:
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Student exchanges that have been supported include:
· Finland 2017-18 (Outbound student Naomi Forschle – Inbound Malena Frankenhaeuser)
· Austria 2015-16 (Outbound student Jayden Bernatsky – Inbound Johanna)
· Switzerland 2013-14 (Outbound student Bailey Lesson – Inbound Isabel Lauwener)
· Taiwan 2011-12 (Outbound student Marissa Clapson – Inbound Phoebe)
· Taiwan 2009-10 (Inbound Oih)
· Japan 2006-07 (Inbound Amie)
· Japan 2003-04 (Inbound Mai)
· Brazil 1999-2000 (Inbound Clara)
— Japan 2003-2004
Scholarships:
· Mel Stevenson Art Student Scholarships are awarded each year in Red Deer High Schools ($1,400)
Club Projects:
We expand our reach by partnering with others. Projects are based on need and have ranged from $500,000 - $200. Examples include:
· Access for All Wheelchair Accessible Playground at Mattie McCullough Elementary School in Red Deer ($500,000)
· Camp Waskaway, a collaboration with Youth HQ and Boys & Girls Club, to develop a new leadership camp for youth ages 13 – 17 in Central Alberta ($15,000)
· Team Alex a suicide prevention coaching program – Christmas Wreath fundraiser – ($1,200)
· Boys & Girls Club, Christmas Gift Bags for teens
· Rotary Youth Camps, we’ve sponsored over 40 Central Alberta teens to attend RYLA, RYPEN, Adventures in Citizenship, Adventures in Technology and Northern Territories Adventure camps.
Community Grants:
The funds we raise are put to work quickly. Over the last 20 years, the Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise, has given over $110,000 to non-profit organizations in Central Alberta for projects that improve the quality of life in our community. Our Community Grant program is well established with a transparent application process. Non-profits identify needs in the community and request funding support for well-planned ideas. Grant reviews are conducted with the professional experience of members and a matrix scorecard. Grants are approved efficiently with minimal ‘red tape’. Non-profit organizations that have received project funding include:
Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre Preschool Scholarship Program
Bowden Grandview School Health Fair
Boys and Girls Club of Red Deer and District
Centre Fest
Central Alberta Children’s Festival
Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association
Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre 24-hour Crisis Line
Central Alberta Special Equestrians
Central Alberta Yogathon
Gibbs Golf for Handicapped Youth
Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre
Red Deer Hospice Society
KidSport Red Deer
Central Alberta Lending Cupboard
Magdalene House Society
Red Deer Aboriginal Dance Troupe
Red Deer College Seniors Christmas Concert
Safe Communities of Central Alberta Bike, Walk & Roll Program
Salvation Army Adopt a Family
St Teresa of Avila School Breakfast Program
Sunnybrook Farm & Museum
Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Tools for Schools
Volunteer Red Deer
Women’s Outreach
Youth Voice/Family Services of Central Alberta
Community Service:
Club members are volunteers. Our motto is “Service Above Self”. We have given our time and talent to the following local events, organizations and causes:
· City of Red Deer Green Deer
· Camp Alexo
· Canada Winter Games
· Canadian Blood Services Blood Donor Challenge
· Festival of Trees
· Junior Achievement Economic for Success
· Mustard Seed – School Lunch rogram
· Red Deer Public Library Books on the Bus
· Red Deer Public Library Reading Pals
· Red Deer Rebels
· Ronald Macdonald House Home for Dinner program
· Salvation Army – Christmas Kettle Bell Campaign