At our recent meeting, The Rotary Club of Barrie was proud to present a $5,000 cheque to Michael Christianson on behalf of ReACT Kenya. This dedicated organization works to rescue, restore, and release at-risk children in Kenya, many of whom are affected by the HIV crisis.

In the past, our Club supported ReACT’s mission by funding the drilling of a well. This new contribution will help repair a residence in Kentalli, providing a safe and stable environment for children in need. Michael expressed his gratitude to Rotary, thanking our members for helping make a tangible difference in the lives of some of Kenya’s most vulnerable children.

How ReACT Kenya Helps Children:
ReACT’s staff work directly within communities to assess the needs of children and their caregivers. Whenever possible, children are placed in home-based care with extended family members, with ReACT covering the costs that often prevent this option. When urgent physical needs due to HIV or other challenges make home placement impossible, children may be admitted to The Veronica Home, where they receive medical care, emotional support, and stability while staff develop long-term care plans.

What makes ReACT unique is its vision: empowering local Kenyans to lead and manage the work in-country. While accountability and responsible stewardship are at the heart of the organization, ReACT believes that Kenyans are best equipped to care for their own communities.

Rescue. Restore. Release.
ReACT’s mission follows a powerful progression:

• Rescue children from desperate and often life-threatening circumstances.
  
• Restore them by providing safety, healing, and hope for a better future.
  
• Release them as equipped adults, ready to create lasting change within their own communities.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is proud to support organizations like ReACT Kenya, whose work not only transforms the lives of children but also strengthens entire communities. Together, we are making a difference, locally and globally. For more information about ReACT Kenya please visit their website.

At our recent meeting, PP Chris Gariepy introduced guest speaker Lucy Gowers, Executive Director of Youth Haven. Lucy delivered a moving presentation about the incredible journey Youth Haven has taken to their new location on Wellington Street and the organization’s vision for the future: expanding services, strengthening support systems, and ensuring long-term sustainability for youth in our region.

A Lifeline for Vulnerable Youth
Youth Haven operates as more than a shelter—they are a lifeline for young people experiencing homelessness. With 24/7 intake available every day of the year, the organization provides immediate safety, support, and stability. Each year, Youth Haven’s emergency shelter serves about 200 youths, while hundreds more receive support through their Transitional Housing Program and Outreach services. From counselling and case management to employment, education, and housing assistance, Youth Haven meets the unique needs of every young person who comes through their doors.

Stories of Transformation
Lucy shared inspiring stories that illustrate the impact of Youth Haven’s work:

• Kyle’s Story: At 18, Kyle left home due to emotional and mental neglect. At Youth Haven, he received critical mental health support, which gave him the confidence and stability to enroll in college while working toward permanent housing.
  
• Emily’s Story: Unsure how to navigate adulthood, Emily came to Youth Haven seeking guidance. With the support of the team, she developed practical life skills, secured part-time work, and proudly completed her high school diploma.

These stories are powerful reminders of the life-changing difference Youth Haven makes in the lives of vulnerable youth—helping them not only survive, but thrive.

The Power of Community
Lucy emphasized that this work is only possible thanks to the generosity and support of our community and partners like Rotary. As she shared, the passion and commitment of groups like ours continue to inspire a collective effort to build a better future for youth across the region.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is proud to stand alongside organizations like Youth Haven, whose dedication ensures that young people are given the opportunity to heal, grow, and succeed. Visit Youth Haven’s website for more information and to support this wonderful cause. 

The Rotary Club of Barrie was proud to celebrate the incredible success of our most recent Catch the Ace lottery with a cheque presentation to President Todd for $385,000. David Mills introduced the hardworking Catch the Ace Committee, including David Mills, Paul Marley, Anita Laking, Heather Gittings, Ian Pavlik, and Steve Glover, thanking not only the committee members but also the many volunteers who made this project possible.

This fundraiser wouldn’t have been such a success without our strong partnership with the Barrie Legion. Marcel Vigneault, President of the Legion, and Steve Glover both expressed gratitude for the collaboration that allowed this initiative to thrive and deliver such a meaningful impact in our community.

The excitement reached a peak with the announcement of our grand prize winner: Congratulations to Lydia Heise, who selected Envelope #47 and uncovered the elusive Ace of Spades, winning a combined total of $750,416.50! 💰 Lydia’s incredible win marked the thrilling conclusion of this Catch the Ace round.

But Catch the Ace is about more than winning big; it’s about giving back. Each ticket purchased contributed directly to raising funds for important community initiatives, making this event a true win-win for everyone involved.

We are thrilled with the results of this round and grateful for the community’s support. Stay tuned, plans are already in the works for the next round of Catch the Ace, and your chance to win (and give back) could be just around the corner!

This year’s Kempenfest Beer Garden was another great success, with Rotary Club of Barrie volunteers working tirelessly to serve thousands of visitors while raising funds for community initiatives. The final financials are still being tallied, but it’s safe to say it was another outstanding year.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who was part of the roster and to their families and friends who supported them throughout the weekend. Special recognition to Jeff McCuaig, Jon Ingram, John O’Brien, and Michael LeCollier, who not only put in countless hours at the Rotary tent but also supported Kempenfest as a whole.

President Todd was congratulated and thanked by Paul Markle for his leadership, and in turn, Todd highlighted the tremendous contributions Paul makes each year to keep things running smoothly.

Congratulations to the entire crew for making this event such a success once again. Rotary Barrie is proud to be part of this incredible community tradition!

The Rotary Club of Barrie is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Barrie Fun Run Committee presented a cheque for $25,000 to Past-President Brian! This generous contribution comes from the success of this year’s 38th Annual Barrie Fun Run and will go directly to support local initiatives and charities in our community.

Despite rain showers, the event was full of energy, smiles, and community spirit. From runners and walkers to our amazing volunteers, cheer squads, and of course, crowd favourite Sprocket, the Barrie Fun Run was a true celebration of giving back.

These funds will help The Rotary Club of Barrie continue its work across various community programs, supporting initiatives that make a meaningful impact in Barrie and beyond.

A huge thank you to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making the 2025 Barrie Fun Run a tremendous success! Your energy, dedication, and heart truly make a difference.

At a recent meeting, the Rotary Club of Barrie Charitable Foundation proudly presented cheques in support of several important community and international initiatives.

Chair Ian Pavlik announced that the Foundation has been matching payments for projects brought forward by Club committees, further multiplying the impact of their efforts. Later in the evening, cheques were presented to the Salvation Army and Christmas Cheer, with heartfelt thanks expressed for the early boost to their holiday campaigns.

This round of funding included:

• $1,000 – Community Service Committee, for a much-needed power wheelchair.
  
• $3,000 – Community Service Committee, to support Christmas Cheer.
  
• $3,000 – Community Service Committee, for the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle Campaign.
  
• $2,500 – International Committee, to support the ReAct Kenya project.
  

These contributions highlight Rotary’s commitment to improving lives locally and abroad. From providing mobility and independence to an individual in need, to ensuring families can celebrate the holidays with dignity, to supporting global initiatives in Kenya, each donation demonstrates the power of service above self.

The Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game was an incredible success! Thanks to the support of players, sponsors, fans, and friends, the event raised $605,210 to benefit local charities and community causes.

The evening brought together hockey fans and athletes for an unforgettable all-star game, featuring NHL stars John Tavares, Quinton Byfield, Erik Gudbranson, as well as PWHL stars including Jessie Eldridge, Jill Saulnier, Abby Roque, and more.

Proceeds from the Barn Burner will support RVH, PIE Education, and many other local initiatives, helping to strengthen our community and provide resources where they’re needed most.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, cheered, and donated. Your generosity made this night one to remember!

The Rotary Club of Barrie is proud to welcome two new members, Jeff Cook and Blair King, to our community of service-minded leaders.

Jeff Cook
Jeff is both a financial planner and a licensed electrician, bringing a unique blend of skills to the club. Born and raised in Barrie, Jeff recently married his wife, Nicole, in 2023. Together, they share their home with two much-loved bulldogs, Hank and Cali.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jeff has been a long-time volunteer at Kempenfest and is dedicated to giving back to the Barrie community. We are thrilled to welcome Jeff and look forward to the contributions he will bring to Rotary.

Blair King
Blair has called Barrie home since 1970, attending Hillcrest Public School and Barrie Central Collegiate. His career began at Bell before he found his calling in policing, where he now serves as a Uniform Patrol Sergeant. Throughout his career, Blair has worked in various areas of policing, including the Tactical Support Unit.

Blair and his wife, Lesley, have been married for 29 years and have three adult sons. Community service has always been important to Blair. He has served on several boards in the area and is especially passionate about Big Brothers. His commitment to service and leadership aligns perfectly with Rotary values, and we are delighted to have him join our ranks.

Looking Ahead
Jeff and Blair embody the Rotary spirit of fellowship, service, and leadership. Please join us in warmly welcoming them as they begin their Rotary journey with us.

As July draws to a close, so too does a very special chapter at Rotary Barrie. Our incredible Rotary Youth Exchange student, Petra Hoffman, is heading back home to Hungary after a remarkable year of learning, connection, and unforgettable memories.

While we’re sad to see her go, we are so proud of the bright, confident young woman she is and the impact she’s made on our club and community. Petra brought energy, curiosity, and warmth to every Rotary event she attended, and reminded us all why the Youth Exchange program is such a powerful experience, not just for students, but for everyone they meet along the way.

At her farewell meeting, Todd Armstrong presented Petra with a gift on behalf of the club, and Petra graciously gifted Todd with beautiful items from Hungary. She spoke about how welcome she felt and how much she learned through her time here. “I’m so grateful to Rotary for everything,” she shared, “This year has changed me. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family.”

Highlights from Petra’s Year:

• 🎂 Birthday Celebrations: Rotarians sang a proper birthday song (with enthusiasm!) and shared a delicious chocolate cake lined with strawberries.
  
• 🖼️ Fundraising Auction: Led by Todd Tuckey, a spontaneous auction raised funds to help Petra attend a Rotary conference in Calgary. Items included a Haitian painting and a vintage box of wine, and thanks to generous bids, a significant contribution was raised.
  
• 🤝 Conference Adventures: The Calgary trip gave Petra the chance to meet other exchange students, expand her Rotary experience, and represent Barrie proudly.
  

Petra’s warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting impression. Whether she was speaking at club meetings, volunteering at events, or simply sharing stories from home, she brought a global perspective and a genuine spirit of connection.

We wish her all the best as she returns to Hungary and look forward to hearing about her future adventures. Thank you, Petra, for being a wonderful part of our Rotary family. Safe travels — and don’t be a stranger! 💙

This month, the Rotary Club of Barrie received a truly special and heartfelt gift, a $30,000 donation to The Rotary Foundation made in memory of Past President Dave Brown (1994–95).

Dave was a dedicated Rotarian for 47 years, joining the club in 1974. Over nearly five decades, he exemplified what it means to live by Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a steadfast contributor to the Rotary mission, always showing up with generosity, wisdom, and a quiet strength that made a lasting impression on everyone around him.

The donation was presented by Dave’s son Richard and son-in-law Mike, a gesture that speaks not only to Dave’s enduring commitment to Rotary but also to the deep impact he had on his family and community. In his Rotary life, Dave mentored many—including current member Ian Pavlik—offering guidance, encouragement, and a living example of leadership grounded in humility and service.

This legacy gift to The Rotary Foundation will help carry forward the causes that Dave championed throughout his life: strengthening communities, supporting youth, and creating lasting change both locally and globally. His presence is deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to shape our work and inspire future generations of Rotarians.

Thank you, Dave, for everything you gave to Rotary and to the people you touched along the way.