This November, as we celebrate The Rotary Foundation, I invite you to consider not only what we give but why we give. The Foundation is more than a fund for projects. It is the beating heart of our promise that service, rooted in trust and friendship, can create lasting change.
Our Action Plan calls us to increase our impact, and the Foundation is how we make this vision real. Since 1988, Rotary and our partners have immunized nearly 3 billion children against polio. We have committed more than $2.6 billion to this cause, and last year alone we directed $146 million toward the final push for eradication. These numbers are significant, but the true impact is not in statistics — it is in the lives of children who will never again fear polio. It is in the hope restored to families and the peace built in communities once defined by disease.
But polio is only one story among many. Each year, Rotary Peace Centers train new generations of leaders who will transform conflict into dialogue and division into understanding. In 2023-24, nearly 100 new fellows began their studies, continuing a legacy of more than 1,800 peacebuilders from over 140 countries. When we invest in them, we are planting seeds of peace that will bear fruit for decades to come.
The Foundation also touches lives through district and global grants, supporting projects large and small. A clean water well for a rural community, scholarships for young professionals, medical care in the wake of disaster — these are not temporary gestures, but steps toward dignity, resilience, and opportunity. This is how Rotary service becomes lasting impact. And when natural disasters strike, our Foundation allows Rotary to act quickly with disaster response grants.
Our Foundation is not about what we can do alone but what we can do together. Each contribution, no matter its size, joins with others to create a collective act of faith in humanity and in the future.
The last mile of any great journey is always the hardest. We see this in our final steps toward ending polio, in our work for peace, and in every project that seeks to lift people out of despair. Yet every time we give, we declare that our work will continue regardless of the challenge.
This November, let us give with gratitude, with joy, and with hope. Through our Foundation, we Unite for Good, and in doing so, we leave behind not only projects but a legacy of peace, trust, and Service Above Self.
November Theme – The Rotary Foundation
In Rotary, November is designated as Rotary Foundation Month. This month highlights the importance of The Rotary Foundation and encourages Rotarians to contribute to its various programs and initiatives. The Foundation transforms donations into projects that address global issues like poverty, illiteracy, and disease.
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.
Our mission
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
What impact can one donation have?
For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
$50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
$500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
Edmonton West Community Service
A big thank you to all the Edmonton West volunteers who came out yesterday to put up the Christmas decorations at Grandview Extended Care! Your time and effort will bring smiles, holiday cheer, and a touch of magic to the residents. Your service is truly appreciated!
ETS Stuff a Bus
What an amazing night! Together with an outstanding group of volunteers from Edmonton West, MacEwan Rotaract, and Northern Lights Rotaract we helped unload 19,000+ kg of food donations for ETS Stuff-a-Bus—supporting Food Banks across the region during the holiday season.
Edmontonian's really know how to step up with food donations and support their community when it matters most.
Extra appreciation to Lorne, who was instrumental in directing volunteers and keeping the loading process safe and smooth. Thank you to everyone who continues to show up year after year. Community support is what makes this campaign possible.
Root for Trees
Every year, our club participates in a tree-planting event with Root for Trees in Edmonton. This program plays an important role in strengthening our city’s natural environment and fostering community spirit.
Its goals are to:
Expand the urban forest: Increase the number of trees in Edmonton to improve the environment and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Support biodiversity: Create and protect local habitats by planting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that help sustain a healthy ecosystem.
Improve the environment: Reduce air pollution, help manage stormwater runoff, and lessen noise pollution through thoughtful naturalization efforts.
Enhance community connection: Bring volunteers together to make a meaningful impact while helping to naturalize and beautify public spaces.
It’s always a rewarding day of teamwork, fresh air, and giving back to the environment we all share.
The 2025 Root for Trees planting season has officially wrapped up! This year, they successfully planted 45,878 trees and shrubs and 1,804 forbs and wildflowers with the support of 5536 volunteers.
Our club is proud to be part of this program, which supports Rotary’s seventh area of focus: protecting the natural world. Rotary’s environmental work spans many efforts — spurring innovation, restoring and safeguarding natural resources, strengthening community capacity for conservation, and addressing environmental justice issues. This initiative, introduced in 2020, encourages members to take meaningful action through a wide range of service projects and aligns closely with several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
We were delighted to welcome Karra Skale, President, and Emily Geddes, Volunteer Coordinator of the MacEwan University Rotaract Club, who gave an excellent presentation at our November 17 meeting. Their club has been exceptionally active this year, demonstrating strong commitment to service and Rotary values.
The Rotaractors volunteer regularly at the food bank and recently supported the Boyle Street Thanksgiving event, spending the day decorating, slicing pumpkin pies, and serving hot turkey meals. They also participated in Compassion Care Day, a community outreach initiative offering health, wellness, and basic-needs support to individuals experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
Looking ahead, the club is hosting a Christmas and winter card-making event to create handmade cards for local seniors—spreading holiday cheer while also offering members an opportunity to network and build connections within the club.
They hope to partner again with GEF Seniors Housing, where last year they helped with an Oilers watch party and a cribbage tournament, creating meaningful moments of intergenerational connection.
We are incredibly proud of our MacEwan Rotaract Club and all they have achieved so far this year. Their commitment, energy, and compassion continue to make a positive impact throughout our community.
Edmonton West Clothing
Our club clothing order has arrived! I will begin distributing items at the next few meetings, so please be sure to stop by and pick yours up. If you’re unable to attend in the coming weeks, I’ll reach out to you directly to arrange a convenient pickup time.
Thank you for your support—and enjoy your new Edmonton West gear!
70th Anniversary Celebration
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West—sponsored by the Edmonton Downtown Club—was officially admitted to membership in Rotary International in 1955 with 21 charter members. Our charter
president, Ben Lang, provided the leadership and vision that laid the foundation for the strong and vibrant club we are today.
This year, we proudly celebrate 70 years of service, fellowship, and community impact. For seven decades, our members have devoted countless hours to local and international projects, always guided
by Rotary’s enduring motto: Service Above Self.
To honour this milestone, we are hosting a very special anniversary evening recognizing our rich history, celebrating our achievements, and looking ahead to the exciting opportunities still to come. It will be a night filled with memories, laughter, and inspiration—an event you won’t want to miss!
Event Details
Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Location: Chateau Louis Conference Centre
11420 – 117 Street NW, Edmonton
Cocktails: 5:30 PM
Dinner: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $70
Registration
Edmonton West members: please register as a member
All other guests: please register as a guest
