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.
This week, the Rotary Club of Barrie held our annual Presidential Changeover, an important tradition where we reflect on the year past and set our sights on the path ahead. Outgoing President Brian Galbraith opened the meeting by sharing Rotary’s powerful vision:
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
Brian highlighted the Club’s incredible impact this past year, including raising over $400,000 in support of local programs and initiatives. He expressed deep gratitude to the Board and Club members for their contributions, earning a standing ovation for his steady and thoughtful leadership.
The spotlight then turned to incoming President Todd Tuckey—our 80th Club President. Introduced by PDG Peter Dean and PP Jody, Todd’s story reflected decades of service and deep connections to Rotary and the Barrie community. A meaningful moment came when PDG Jim, Peter, and Sgt-at-Arms Jacklyn presented Todd with the Chain of Office and President’s Pin in a multigenerational show of Rotary continuity.
PP Betty Ann shared heartfelt remarks recognizing Brian’s contributions, noting how his leadership strengthened the Club through collaboration, balance, and quiet determination. She then presented him with his Past President’s Pin and gavel.
Taking the podium as President, Todd thanked his new Board of Directors and outlined his vision for the year ahead: a renewed focus on member engagement, connection with families and the broader community, and highlighting the good Rotary continues to do every day.
A Barrie native, Todd’s service journey spans decades—from launching Tamarco Contracting in 1989, to chairing Kempenfest and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, to surviving a life-altering aneurysm. Through it all, Todd has shown resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Thank you, Past President Brian Galbraith, for a year of incredible leadership. And to President Todd Tuckey, we look forward to supporting you as we continue living Rotary’s values and making an impact together.
President Brian proudly presented this year’s Aber Award to our Treasurer, Chris Van Niekerk, recognizing his outstanding work behind the scenes keeping the Club’s finances in order. Chris’s quiet dedication and attention to detail have not gone unnoticed. In accepting the award, he shared his gratitude and humbly acknowledged that many others in the Club are just as deserving. Congratulations, Chris!
In a meaningful step toward reconciliation, the Rotary Club of Barrie allocated $10,000 to support Indigenous initiatives within our local community. President Brian designated these funds to take tangible action in line with our Club’s commitment to reconciliation. Indigenous Club member Kerry Weatherbie was asked to lead the effort and provide recommendations for where the funds could have the greatest impact.
Over the past year, Kerry formed and led an advisory committee, working closely with local services and the Barrie Métis Council to ensure the funds would reach underserved members of the Indigenous community. The Barrie Métis Council, a volunteer-run organization serving over 1,000 registered citizens, was selected as the primary partner for this initiative.
Funds were distributed as follows:
Food Bank Support – $4,600 The Barrie Métis Council supports over 200 families per month with fresh produce and meat. As they do not accept food donations due to quality concerns, funds are used to purchase fresh items directly.
Youth Camp Funding – $1,400 Rotary supported access to the Barrie Métis Council’s youth camp, covering registration costs for several children to attend this important cultural and educational experience.
Post-Secondary Bursaries – $4,000 Bursaries will be provided to Métis youth entering their first year of post-secondary education, helping to remove financial barriers to higher learning.
This presentation and donation took place during National Indigenous History Month. Representatives from the Barrie Métis Council, including President Roxanne Shank and Chair Tony Muscatt, accepted the cheque. Roxanne thanked the Club, noting that Métis and other Indigenous communities continue to face systemic challenges related to income, education, and employment. These donations directly support a brighter future through education and food security.
On behalf of the Barrie Métis Council, Roxanne offered a heartfelt message:
“Maarsî, Chi Miigwetch, thank you. These contributions have a huge impact for the families who receive them. For hundreds of years, Métis citizens have been part of our community and continue to be proud Barrie residents.”
Special thanks to Kerry, Chris Gariepy, Michael Hesson, Roxanne, and Toni for making this initiative a reality.
