The Fergus Elora Rotary Club turned 50 this year and club officials wanted to celebrate in a big way.
On May 31, the club gathered to celebrate its 50th year by thanking two of the surviving charter members, presenting a large donation to the local hospital foundation and enjoying lunch and cake.
Cecil Wolfe and Bruce Oldfield were recognized at the celebration for their 50 years of service and for being two of the members when the Rotary Club of Fergus and Elora was officially chartered on May 26, 1966.
Wolfe was secretary for the club for 10 years and said it was an honour to be recognized for his service.
“It’s been very enjoyable. You meet a lot of people,” he said.
Oldfield never took an “exotic” job with the Rotary due to his commitment as a dentist, but offered to help in many other ways.
“I’m very proud of my association, it’s been a real social thing and everything,” he said.
The members were also recognized by guest speaker Centre Wellington Mayor Kelly Linton.
“That’s amazing to have this history and have all your volunteer hours and see how much you mean to the community,” he said to the pair.
Second vice-president Leanne Iravani said before the presentation, “Our motto is ‘service Above self.’ They really illustrated what it means by service above self in that they made the commitment of time, energy and money to be with an organization that has had such a long history within our town.”
The Rotary Club has supported many projects over the years. Among the most notable were the accessible Stait Park in Fergus, along with support of Kids Ability and the Groves Memorial Community Hospital.
The Rotary Club recently received the Community Social Responsibility award from the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce on May 17 and brought the award to present it to members.
The Rotary Club presented a cheque to the Groves Hospital Foundation for $100,000 over five years.
Lori Arsenault, executive director of the foundation, thanked members for their dedication to the hospital.
“(The pledge) brings the total that this club has raised for Groves Hospital Foundation to over $434,000,” she said.
