The 2025 recipient is Laurie Lantaigne

Laurie’s Classification is Charity Fundraising.  She is Financial Director for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington.  She provides leadership to the financial administrative and fundraising areas of the organization.  Laurie shares her passion and commitment to enhancing the well-being of children and youth by connecting them to experiences and supports that contribute to their sense of belonging and help them reach their full potential.  She shares opportunities for others to help meet those goals by promoting participation in programs such as Trees for Tots, Keep Kids Fed and other fundraising initiatives.  Her efforts have ensured that the Children’s Foundation has a solid presence, contributing to Ribfest.  With 18 years tenure, she mentors new staff and volunteers behind the scenes in a quiet unassuming manner.
 

In the Club, she has served many years as the Youth Director and most recently as the Membership Director.  She also organizes all of our fellowship events and is our Member Cares Chair, making sure our members receive support in bad and good times.  She has a kind heart and is always thinking of others.

When you bring a group of newcomers to Canada together, and language could be a barrier, what do you?

 

The Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium found some solutions at their recent Family Fun event on September 28.

 

When families first arrived at the event, they were asked to show on a map of the world where they were born, and from that exercise we learned that we had 17 countries represented at the event and a total of 75 people participating.

 

To get the children involved, we had Steph Dean from Shake it Off Studio lead them in Zumba – and some adults joined in as well.  It was such fun as the children danced to the music.  No language was needed, they just followed Steph’s lead.

 

Then there was the henna and face painting which again did not involve much conversation, more pointing at what the participants wanted.

 

Immigration Services, the Arab Women’s Society and the City of Guelph were involved to share resources and information to the families who were provided with an information bag.  The Children’s Reading Room also gave away free books to the children there.

 

Refreshments were provided by Rotary member Sharron Riley Persson as well as the SEED which is also based at Shelldale where the event was held.

 

And to wrap it up, like all parties, the families were given goodie bags to take home, full of contents that had been donated by local companies, like Mr. Kettle Corn who gave bags of popcorn.

 

All told it was a great event and our thanks to all involved.  It truly takes a village. 

Donna B reminded us that Maureen Smith was a beloved member of the Rotary Club Guelph Trillium for many years until her death in January 2023.  As Chair of the club’s Sunshine Committee, she provided leadership to the care of and compassion for club members.  Proud of her 45 career as a nurse, she was a tireless volunteer for many charities and her community. 
 

Through the generous donation of Maureen’s family, represented by her husband Peter, our club will give out a scholarship every year to a high school student embarking on a career in nursing (either RPN or RN program). 
 

This year we are proud to give out two scholarships in honour of Maureen.
 

Ryl Garrido is graduating from Our Lady of Lourdes High School and has been accepted into the BScN program at Western-Fanshaw.

Ryl credits his mom, who is a nurse, for inspiring him to pursue a career in caring for others.  Ryl contributed to the school community through leadership in the Athletic Council and Relay4Life Council.  He maintains a job at SportChek as well as at a nursing home.  His teachers let us know he is a driven student leader, who is admired by his peers for his exceptional academics, creative initiative as well as his kindness and compassion towards others – all desired qualities in a registered nurse.

Pictured with Donna and Peter are Ryl and his mother Jeryl
 

 April Guthrie is graduating from St. John Bosco Alternative High School and will be attending the RPN program at Georgian College.  April enjoys helping others and giving back to her community and has succeeded at school placements in long term facilities.   She has also played a large role in caring for her grandparents for the past while.   April was the school Senator last year and has represented the school at senate meetings with the Director of Education.  She was a member of the school Wellness committee and volunteers both in her Brant Ave Neighbourhood Group and her dance studio.  Her teachers say that April is welcoming, kind and compassionate – all attributes that will serve her well in her career as a Registered Practical Nurse.

In the photo from left to right is Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium President Anne Day, Anne McKay(Wellington Hospice), Trevor Barton (Enabling Garden), Lawrence Lutgendoff (Alzheimer's Society), Lynda Abshoff (Brain Injury Association), Lindsay Sprague (Sanguen Health), Kevin Coghill (Royal City Mission), Leslie Fisher (Guelph Dance), Jannette TenHag (Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Allocations Committee Co-Chair)
 

On February 28, 2024 the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium presented donations to seven charities. While the charities serve different populations, there was a recurring theme of treating people with dignity and respect.

 

The Alzheimer Society received funds to support patients and caregivers attending their Mind in Motion program, while Enabling Gardens is using their funds to purchase five medical grade bariatric chairs which would better support people participating in their horticultural therapy workshops. 

 

Royal City Mission is creating a green space in the alley way by the church which can then be enjoyed by their clients and Hospice Wellington is purchasing new linens and warming blankets to provide comfort to their residents and their families.   Guelph Dance received funds to subsidize fees for families who could not afford to send their children to their creative camp programs.

 

Safety was another theme as funds were presented to the Brain Injury Association to provide bike helmets to children whose families could not afford them.  Through its mobile units, Sanguen Health will provide food, clothing, hygiene products, sleeping bags to people who are homeless. 

 

The Guelph Trillium Club received 33 applications for funding, representing a total of $73,000. After a committee review, a total of 13 agencies will be awarded funds from the club with the second cheque presentation arranged for early April. The $24,000 donated to these 13 community organizations was raised through two annual community fundraisers - Tour de Guelph and Ribfest.

 

Tour de Guelph, hosted in partnership with the Guelph South Rotary Club, will be held on June 23, 2024 and the main beneficiary will be the Guelph Hospital Foundation.  Anyone interested in volunteering for this event visit  https://tourdeguelph.ca/volunteer/

 

The 26^th annual Guelph Ribfest will be held at Riverside Park on August 23-25, 2024. Volunteers are at the heart of Ribfest – anyone interested joining our team visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/event-listing/guelph-ribfest-volunteer-sign-up   

 

We thank the community for their ongoing support of these events, which makes it possible for us to give back to worthy causes and organizations in the community.

 

 

The Home for Good Campaign is a bold call to action to solve homelessness in our community.  Through the generosity of individual donors, corporate supporters, and government partners, the campaign will raise $5 million to build Homes for Good for people experiencing homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County.

So excited Ribfest Guelph is in-person at Riverside Park, Guelph. Join us all weekend long - starting at noon on Friday Aug 26 to Sunday Aug 28.  Join Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium tastiest fundraiser. There is no admission - donations are welcome.  For more details visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/

 

A big thank you to our amazing sponsors - Linamar Corporation, Sleeman Beer, Battlefield Equipment Rentals, Guelph Today, Magic 106.1, Farms.com, RBC, Reid’s Heritage Homes, Ramar Contractors, Tacoma Engineers, Distinctive Trophies, Original Home Furniture, Palmer Audio Event Services, Hanlon Park Storage, Balnar Management, Home Realty Group, Town and Country Fencing, Scutt Signs, HIS Humansystems Inc., Switzer-Carty Transportation

 

The weekend is packed with great food, music, and fun for the whole family. Don't miss out!  

 

10 + Live bands - Sandy MacDonald and Friends, Fresh Water Funk, Just Journey, The Killin Time Band, Bluesynergy. Keep the Faith, Symply Skynyrd, Blackwater Trio, Evermile, FOG Blues & Brass Bands, Practically Hip and More.

 

Fantastic rib teams – Billy Bones BBQ Canada, Silver Bullet BBQ, Boss Hogs BBQ, Camp 31 BBQ, Smokehouse Bandits, FatBoys BBQ, Bibbs Texas BBQ (new)

 

More Food from - Billy Bob's Bloomin` Onions, Ontario Corn Roasters & Pappy`s Soda, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Alabama Lemonade, Festival Food Service, Taste the Tornado,  Aberfritter Snack Company, Chao Bistro

 

Family Zone activities with Magical Midways Inc. , Guelph Grotto Climbing Gym, Guelph Storm Hockey Club, Guelph Curling Club, Face painting

 

Classic Cars – join us for the 23^rd annual Gregg Mitchell Classic Car Show (Sat and Sun) - Day of registration - $10/vehicle and 8 Award Categories: Best GM, Ford, Chrysler, truck, Import, Paint Job, Hot Rod and Vintage

 

Don’t forget to plan your visit by looking at the FAQs – parking is limited – consider taking transit or bike (there is valet bike parking with GCAT); Bring a refillable water bottle, many vendors only accept cash – ATMs will be on site. For more information visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/faqs