Posted by Arja Hamalainen
To acknowledge World Polio Day, our club, Kingston Frontenac, had a proclamation from the City of Kingston, an article in the Whig Standard, and a Social Media presence. We hosted a Purple Pinkie night at our club, with a generous donation to Polio Plus , and we also conducted a Purple Pinkie Day at Springer Market Square, generating additional funds and raising awareness, with help from the Kingston Club and the Rotaract Club.
 
Our club is currently in its 59th year, is proud to include in its membership 14 Paul Harris Fellows, 6 Past Presidents, our current Area Governor, and a Past Assistant Area Governor. Our service committees are actively engaged in noteworthy programs both at the local and international level.
 
At the international level, a member of our International Services Committee is currently in East Africa, providing mentorship for a computer technology program. In the offing are an educational program in Brazil, and technology education and mentoring in Nepal. Another "Holiday Appeal" project is being discussed, following the highly successful "Blanket Project" last year, which was supported by other Seaway West Rotary Clubs. The Director of this committee also chairs the Joint International Project Committee.
 
Our Youth Services Committee has engaged a total of 26 students: in the Exchange Program, one long-term outbound, and one long-term inbound. As well, many students have been involved in various Adventure opportunities and RYLA. We award outstanding students with bursaries upon their graduation from High School.
 
The Community Services Committee continues to review requests for funding from charitable agencies in the Kingston area, including Martha's Table and the Robinson Community Garden, both of which have received assistance. 
 
We take pride in our sponsorship of one "Homes for Heroes" residence last year, thanks to a very generous member of our club, as well as a large donation from our Maxsold auction.
 
The "No Mow May" concept, initiated in our club, and in collaboration with the Kingston Club, was in its second of three years this past May. We are in receipt of a Bronze Enviroclub award.
 
Our volunteering encompasses a broad spectrum, in too many areas to mention them all. A few examples are: the Robinson Community Garden, food packing at the Food Distribution Warehouse, planting trees for Little Forests, regularly donating blood ( initiated in our club), Rotary Park cleanup, etc.
 
Our membership is committed to the Rotary goal of "Doing Good in the World", and see an urgent need for Rotary's message to broaden in an increasingly troubled world.