From left to right: Bayne Mann (Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club President), Jim Leung, Monty Armstrong, Kurt MacDonald, Rick Euper, John Ward, and Tom Slater.

April 23th 2006
Donations to Courtenay Fire Department

Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club donated 2 defibrillator and 2 Defib Training units to the Courtenay Fire Department. In the past year, there have been over 500 calls the Fire Department has responded to. The use of defibrillator may have been necessary not just for victims, but also for the Volunteer Fire Fighters that respond to the calls. Due to the stressful nature of the calls, fire fighters have a predisposition to heart attacks and the defibrillators may also be used on the fire fighters themselves is necessary.

Costing approximately $7200, the two defibrillator and training units are rated to last over 5 years, and are automated to not only scan the patient for vital signs, but actually decide whether or not to shock the patient. This is all done while the defibrillator explains what it is doing to the attendant that is using the device.

Rick Euper displays Defibrillator with dummy

All Fire Fighters have taken the training to use the defibrillator and are certified in case of emergencies.

Jan 25th 2006
Robbie Burns Day

Treasurer Janet Orosz and Most Excellent Chief Helena Bell of the Pythian Sisters look on as Cumberland Rotary Vice-President Dave Stevens presents the new thermal imaging camera to Cumberland Fire Chief Ken McClure to the delight of Cumberland Mayor Fred Bates.

Nov 16th 2005
Cumberland Fire Department Receives New Thermal Imaging Camera

With the cooperation of the Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial and the Pythian Sisters, sufficient funds have been raised to purchase a new thermal imaging camera for the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Ken McClure of the Cumberland Fire Department was presented with the new camera, valued at just under $13,000.00, at the Fire Hall on Wednesday. Dave Stevens, Vice-President of the Cumberland Rotary Club and Most Excellent Chief Helena Bell and Treasurer Janet Orosz of the Pythian Sisters were on hand to present the new device to the Chief and Mayor Fred Bates of the Village of Cumberland. The funds for this project came in part as a cash donation from the Pythian Sisters and in part from proceeds of the Rotary club's Extravaganza Italiana held in Cumberland on 15 October. The Rotarians were also able to secure a simplified grant of $2,500.00US from Rotary District 5020 to help purchase the equipment.

From left to right: Bayne Mann, Strathcona-Sunrise Rotary, Daryl Dancer-Wade, artist, Ronna-Rae Leonard, Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards, Suzanne Murray, Area A Director, Barbara Price, Area B Director, and Chip Ross, Strathcona-Sunrise Rotary.

Nov 16th 2005
Interpretive Signage Goes up Along the Millard Walkway

The Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards (MPWS) have installed the first of six interpretive signs in the Millard Greenway. The 4’x4’ signs depict nature scenery from local artist Daryl Dancer-Wade, along with a brief explanation of the unique characteristics of the Millard-Piercy stream ecosystem. The Stewards are grateful for the support of the Strathcona-Sunrise Rotary Club, Evergreen-Unilever Foundation, Areas A, B, and C of the Regional District of Comox-Strathcona, and the province of British Columbia. The Millard Nature Park, where the sign is located, was recently purchased from the province by the City of Courtenay. The sign may be viewed from Anfield Road at the entrance to Millard Nature Park. The remaining signs will soon be mounted along the Rotary Walkway located in the Millard estuary and at the other 2 entrances to the Millard Nature Park from Fraser Rd and the island highway. Volunteers from the Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards along with Ronna-Rae Leonard, M PWS Watershed Coordinator, installed the signs last Wednesday, November 16th. “It is our hope that the beautiful artwork and insightful information provided on these signs will increase awareness within the community of the fragility and importance of stream corridors in the Comox Valley” says Ronna-Rae Leonard.

The Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards is an organization that has been dedicated towards the protection and enhancement of the Millard-Piercy Watershed since 1998. To become involved as a volunteer, or for more information, please call Lora at 898-7426 or email her at lorat@shaw.ca.

The first of six signs was installed at the entrance to the Millard Nature Park on Anfield Rd.

A "bird's-eye" view of the Cumberland Recreation Hall filled with 250 diners on Saturday night.

Oct 15th 2005
Cumberland Italian Dinner Event Raises $20,000

The Cumberland Recreation Hall was filled Saturday evening with a sold-out crowd of 250 participants in the first major fundraiser held by recently chartered Rotary Club of Cumberland Centennial. The event featured a sumptuous array of fine Italian food from antipasti, several different main course choices, salad and freshly baked bread through to the grande finale tiramisu dessert. The meal was organized and, in the main, prepared by Rotarian Pauline Vaillancourt and was served by Cumberland firefighters and members of the Interact Club of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School. Uncle Harry's Wire Choir provided music throughout the dinner and then Rotarian and veteran auctioneer, Dave Stevens, led a live auction that netted over half the total of the $20,000.00 realized. The purpose of the event was to raise sufficient funds to purchase a new thermal imaging camera for the Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department. The many generous businesses and individuals in our community who donated auction items, cash and services and the participation of the enthusiastic throng of diners and bidders made the event the great success it was. Rotary President Mac Fraser praised his small club of Rotarians for their dedication to serve their community.