The 73rd Annual Rotary Club of Barrie Online Auction has wrapped up, and we are thrilled to share the incredible impact our community has made together! With the generous support of donors, bidders, and volunteers, we raised an amazing $18,195 toward local community initiatives. This success would not have been possible without the dedication of so many individuals who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make this auction a standout event.

A huge shoutout to Mike H., whose efforts in securing nearly one-third of the auction items played a key role in making this year’s auction such a success. Your dedication and commitment to our community are truly appreciated!

Supporting Our Community, One Bid at a Time

The Rotary Club of Barrie Online Auction is a long-standing tradition, bringing people together for a great cause while offering amazing deals just in time for the holiday season. Each year, local businesses, organizations, and individuals donate items—ranging from gift certificates to local shops and restaurants, to exciting experiences like ski passes, theater tickets, and weekend getaways. Larger donations like BBQs and even hot tubs have also been auctioned off in past years!

The funds raised go directly toward community initiatives, helping to support vital programs and services in Barrie and beyond. From youth programs to local charities, the impact of these contributions extends far beyond the auction itself.

Looking Ahead to Next Year!

With this year’s auction raising $18,195, we’re already looking forward to next year’s event and hoping to surpass that goal! If you’re interested in getting involved, whether through donations, sponsorships, or volunteering, we’d love to hear from you.

Once again, thank you to everyone who donated, bid, and supported this year’s auction. Your generosity and community spirit make all the difference!

See you next year for another successful auction! 💙

On Saturday, February 22, 2025, we had the incredible opportunity to take part in a free CPR Clinc at 59 Lampman Lane in Barrie. This hands-on event brought together members of our community eager to learn life-saving skills that could make a difference in an emergency.

Attendees participated in interactive training sessions covering essential CPR techniques for adults, children, and infants. They also learned how to respond to choking emergencies and properly use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). With two available sessions, from 9:30 – 11:30 AM and 1:00 – 3:00 PM, participants had the flexibility to attend at their convenience.

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who joined us, making this workshop such a success! Your enthusiasm and commitment to learning these critical skills help build a safer and more prepared community.

A special thank you to St. John Ambulance Barrie Simcoe Muskoka for leading the instruction with their expertise and dedication, and to the City of Barrie for their support in making this event possible.

Want to learn more? If you missed this event but are interested in future CPR training sessions, contact St. John Ambulance at YorkSimcoeMuskoka@sja.ca or call (705) 726-0991.

Together, we are building a community that is ready to act when it matters most!

The Rotary Club of Barrie is delighted to welcome two outstanding new members, Arkady Spivak and Susanne Turner Fisher, who bring with them a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to making a difference in our community.

Arkady Spivak: A Life in Theatre and Community Engagement

Arkady Spivak, introduced by his sponsor Arlette, comes to us with a fascinating background in the arts. Having immigrated from Moscow, Arkady ‘grew up backstage’ and has since dedicated his career to the world of theatre. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Talk is Free Theatre, a role that reflects his deep love for storytelling and cultural enrichment.

PP Bas Asselbergs had the privilege of formally inducting Arkady into the Club, where he expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome. He looks forward to getting involved, sharing his experiences, and contributing to the Club’s mission. We are thrilled to have Arkady join our ranks and eagerly anticipate the positive impact he will have.

Susanne Turner Fisher: A Passion for Connection and Service

PP Stu McMillan had the honor of inducting our newest member, Susanne Turner Fisher. Sponsored by Katherine Elphick, Susanne brings an impressive background in business and community engagement. She is a graduate of McGill University, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and International Business.

Beyond her professional achievements, Susanne has a deep desire for connection, purpose, and service. Her enthusiasm and dedication to helping others make her a perfect fit for our Rotary family. We know she will be an invaluable asset to our Club, and we look forward to seeing her contribute to our initiatives and program

The Rotary Club of Barrie is happy to announce that the annual Festival of Trees has once again illuminated our city and our spirits, culminating in a generous donation of $35,000 to support local initiatives. Past President, Bob Greer, and dedicated Rotarian, David Sopuch, proudly presented the cheque, symbolizing the collective effort of our community.

This cherished event transforms downtown Barrie into a winter wonderland, featuring a spectacular display of festive lights and beautifully decorated trees along Lakeshore Drive. The Festival of Trees not only brings joy to residents and visitors but also serves as a powerful community initiative. The funds raised through this event help support the Rotary Club of Barrie’s charitable efforts, focusing on a range of community projects, including local literacy programs and more.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is excited to share the success of the recent Boots and Hearts Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game, which raised an impressive $10,666.53 for our community projects. This fun event brought together hockey enthusiasts and community supporters for a night of excitement and generosity.

The Barn Burner Charity Hockey Game raises essential funds for various local charities, including the RVH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), John Tavares Foundation’s programs for kids, PIE Education, the Rotary Club of Barrie, and several other organizations in our community. 

We are grateful to the players, organizers, volunteers, and fans who contributed to the success of this memorable night. Your enthusiasm and generosity help support and uplift the Barrie community.

These successful fundraising events allow us to continue strengthening our community through meaningful projects. See you again next year!

We are delighted to induct two exceptional new members into our club!

PP Deb DeCaire introduced Ivanka Ljubicic, a talented professional in Interior Design. Ivanka expressed her gratitude to Deb for recognizing her potential and to the entire club for the warm welcome. She has already connected with half of the members and looks forward to meeting everyone else soon!

Christine Pratt introduced Mark Anderson, who specializes in Industrial & Commercial Roofing. Mark shared a heartfelt story about how impactful giving back can be. After a decade without much volunteer involvement, he expressed how grateful he is for the chance to make a difference through Rotary.

PDG Jim Williams led the inductions with his trademark eloquence, reminding us of the deeper meaning behind Rotary’s mission. After the inductions, Deb and Christine pinned Rotary badges on our newest members, and Jim presented each with the Object of Rotary and 4-Way Test plaques.

Please join us in giving Ivanka and Mark a warm Rotary welcome. We’re thrilled to have them on board and can’t wait to see the incredible contributions they’ll make!

Interested in Making a Difference? Join the Rotary Club of Barrie!

If you’re passionate about giving back to the community and want to make a lasting impact, consider becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Barrie! By joining, you’ll be part of a network of dedicated individuals working together on meaningful projects that benefit both our local community and global causes.

From charity events to hands-on volunteer opportunities, there are countless ways to get involved and make a difference. We’re always looking for passionate, community-minded individuals to join our Rotary family. Ready to take the next step? Click here to learn more about how you can get involved and start making a positive impact with the Rotary Club of Barrie!

The Apple Dumpling contest is officially over, and we just dropped off the Chromebook to our winner, Bennett (entered by mother Melanie)!

“Hi! My name is Bennett. I’m writing to enter the Andy’s Apple Dumplings contest because I love cooking and good food, especially when I get to cook with my SueSue (that’s what I call my grandma).

SueSue and I made the apple dumplings together, and we had so much fun! She showed me how to roll the dough just right, and I got to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on the apples (that’s my favourite part!). When they were baking, the whole kitchen smelled so good, like apples and happiness.

SueSue and I love to try new recipes and eat what we make. Cooking with her is one of my favourite things because we laugh a lot and always make something yummy. These dumplings are extra special because we made them together.

Thank you for having such a fun contest. I hope you like our dumplings as much as we loved making them!”

Thank you to everyone who participated, we hope it was fun (and delicious).

This holiday season, downtown Barrie transforms into a winter wonderland, thanks to help from Rotarians and our incredible community of sponsors. The Festival of Trees is a spectacular display of festive lights and beautifully decorated trees along Lakeshore Drive, bringing joy and cheer to all who pass by.

While most people may think the dazzling lights are a city effort, it’s actually the Rotary Club of Barrie that makes it all happen, in partnership with generous local businesses. Their sponsorship ensures that these lights shine bright throughout the winter season, from the moment they’re lit during the Santa Claus parade through to the spring. The twinkling lights can be seen daily by thousands of commuters, with 16,000 cars traveling along Lakeshore Drive every day—that’s over 1.7 million views of the sponsor signs over the course of the display!

The Festival of Trees is not just a visual treat—it’s also a powerful community initiative. The funds raised through this event help support the Rotary Club of Barrie’s charitable efforts, which focus on a range of community projects, including local literacy programs and more. As you stroll along Lakeshore Drive, you’ll see sponsor logos and information proudly displayed on signs that will be visible for a minimum of 110 days, offering tremendous exposure for all involved.

The Festival of Trees is a beautiful reminder of the power of community and the joy of giving. It’s not just about the lights—it’s about coming together, supporting one another, and celebrating the season with kindness and generosity. Whether you’re taking in the lights with loved ones or driving by on your way to work, you’ll feel the holiday spirit radiating from these twinkling trees and shining lights, all made possible by the Rotary Club of Barrie and our generous sponsors.

Darren Robinson, a fellow Rotarian, filmed the amazing light spectacle with his drone. You can watch a clip of that footage here. 

Come see the lights, feel the magic, and be part of a wonderful community tradition. 🎄✨

The Rotary Club of Barrie is thrilled to share the incredible success of our first Charity Fair! With over 400 attendees and a total of $3,155 raised from the prize table, this event exemplified the power of community coming together for a good cause. The funds raised will be distributed among the participating charities and organizations, based on the number of tokens they collected at their booths. This unique token system allowed attendees to directly support causes close to their hearts while enjoying the event’s many attractions.

Each booth was filled with valuable information and engaging displays, but a few highlights made the day especially memorable. At Sweet Charity’s booth, a delightful dog stole the show by collecting tokens from attendees and dropping them into the donation bucket—a crowd favourite! Habitat for Humanity added a festive touch with Santa Claus himself, giving attendees the opportunity to take photos with the big man in red. Adding to the holiday spirit, the Glowing Hearts carollers serenaded the crowd with Christmas songs, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere inside Bradford Greenhouses despite the chilly weather outside.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the Rotarians who contributed their time and efforts to make this event such a success. Your dedication and hard work truly embody the spirit of Rotary. We are immensely proud of what we achieved together and look forward to continuing our efforts to support local charities and organizations.

Stay tuned for more updates on our future events and initiatives. Together, we’re making a difference in our community!

On November 16, 2024, the Ganaraska Hiking Trail Association (GHTA) completed a significant environmental project in the Orrock Tract. With the support of a generous $3,000 donation from the Environmental Service committee of the Rotary Club of Barrie two years ago, three new bridges were constructed over creek crossings, enhancing safety and accessibility for all trail users.

These bridges, located between the Horseshoe Valley Rd/Old Second South intersection and Gill Road, protect sensitive stream beds while making the trail safer. Special thanks to Jason McArthur and Gary Pearson for their hard work in constructing these structures, which were completed with community collaboration and volunteer dedication.

This project is a prime example of how the Rotary Club of Barrie supports efforts that improve local spaces and promote environmental sustainability. We are proud to partner with the GHTA to ensure the Ganaraska Hiking Trail remains a safe and accessible resource for everyone.

Thank you to all involved for making this project a success!