Tsawwassen Rotary Donates $50,000 to

The Rotary Club of Tsawwassen is proud to announce a $50,000 donation to the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs’ Capital Campaign, supporting the construction of a new Breeding and Training Centre of Excellence.

The commitment was inspired by a compelling presentation delivered in June 2024 by Bill Thornton, CEO of BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. Thornton shared how the new facility will reduce wait times and expand access to professionally trained guide dogs for people who are blind or have low vision, as well as service dogs for children with Autism and Veterans and First Responders with Operational Stress Injuries such as PTSD.

Motivated by the presentation, two club members immediately volunteered for the organization’s puppy raising program. The club then rallied behind a larger effort to support the campaign financially.

“When I heard this new centre would allow the organization to double the number of professionally trained dogs in just five years, I knew we had to be involved,” said Rotarian Blake Cowan, a board member of the Rotary Club’s Charitable Society. “Supporting inclusion, access, and mobility is a natural fit with our mission.”

Rotarian Tom Smith, who led the project for the club, shared a touching detail: “One of the first puppies raised through Rotary’s Puppy Room will be named Gerry, in memory of the Rotarian who made this grant possible.”

This pledge underscores the club’s commitment to improving the quality of life in the community and exemplifies their motto “Service Above Self.”

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of National Flag Day on February 15th, Tsawwassen Rotarians have joined a nationwide call from former Prime Ministers for Canadians to proudly fly the Canadian flag. In response, the Tsawwassen Rotary Club has placed a display of flags at the entrance to the community.

Rick Lewall, who leads the club’s flag fundraiser twice a year for Canada Day and Remembrance Day, emphasized the importance of recognizing the milestone. “It was short notice, but we definitely wanted to mark the occasion,” said Lewall.

Blake Cowan, a past President of the club, expressed the sentiment behind the display, noting, “The flags are our way of showing our love for Canada.”

This year’s National Flag Day holds special significance, marking six decades since the flag was first raised in 1965. The Canadian flag remains a powerful symbol of unity, pride, and the shared values that define the nation.

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This past week, the Crosses of Remembrance were once again installed in South Delta, as members of the South Delta Secondary School Interact Club placed forty-one crosses in the field near the South Delta Recreation Centre on 56th Street. Each cross honours a Delta veteran who lost their life in the First and Second World Wars, the Second South African (Boer) War, and the Afghanistan conflict.

Once the installation was complete, Interact Co-Chair Amy Yang reflected on the significance of the event. “Remembrance Day is a time to reflect on the past and honour those who served in wartime. By placing these crosses each year, the South Delta Secondary Interact Club aims to show our deep respect for those who fought so courageously.”

Co-Chair Evie Li echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the crosses serve as a powerful reminder of the privileges we enjoy today: “They remind us of the peace and freedom we have, thanks to the sacrifices made by others.”

Rick Lewall, the Interact Liaison for the Rotary Club of Tsawwassen and a long-time advocate for the Interact program, supported the installation. “The display of the white crosses is an important tradition for our community. People are especially impressed to learn that it is driven by the youth at the high school. These students exemplify the spirit of youth leadership that our Rotary Club is proud to support.”

Through their efforts, the Interact Club not only honours the memory of fallen veterans but also inspires a sense of gratitude and reflection within the community.