The 856 Pickering Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron had their 27th Annual Review at the Don Beer Arena on Sunday, June 7, 2026. At the event, the Rotary Club of Pickering was honoured for supporting its youth leadership focused activities, which are free to all participants.
The Club's contribution to this fundraising effort was $1,500, presented during a cheque distribution event on May 19, alongside other recipients. “We distribute funds raised from various initiatives, including partnering with Delta Bingo & Gaming in Pickering and our own Pickering Rotary Ribfest, through which we raise funds to reinvest directly back into local and global charities and community organizations such as 856 Air Cadets,” said Don Alton, outgoing President of the Club.
The Rotary Club of Pickering celebrated another successful year, organizing and participating in numerous events and activities that reflected Rotary International’s principles of truth, fairness, goodwill, and service to our members and the community.
As the holiday season approaches, the Rotary Club of Pickering organized its annual cheque presentation to disburse $20,000 during an event on November 12 at the McEachnie Family Centre, 20 Church Street North, Ajax.
From an organization that provides recovery programs to human trafficking victims, to a charity that helps individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, and an organization bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples together for community well-being, 10 organizations received donations in cash and in kind from the Club.
From Left: District Governor Virginia O’Reilly, District DEI Chair and
Assistant Governor Shauna Moore, Pickering Rotary Past President and Executive
Director of HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) John Currie, District
Governor-Elect Niecy Dillon-Tyrovolas and Pickering Rotary President Don Alton.
The Rotary Club of Pickering’s August 18 regular club meeting became special with dignitaries from Rotary District 7070 joining in. Among the in-person visitors were District Governor Virginia O’Reilly, District Governor-Elect Niecy Dillon-Tyrovolas, District DEI Chair and Assistant Governor Shauna Moore and Assistant Governor Ferd Longo.
It was also a special event, as John Currie, past president and current member of the Club, was presented with this year’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award by Rotary District 7070. It was in recognition of the work by HIP (Honouring Indigenous Peoples) and Currie, who is the organization’s Executive Director.
Recently our Community Services Director Susan Eberth travelled to Cameroon to volunteer with the Ape Action Africa “AAA” project, something she has been doing since 2005. Our Rotary Club sponsors the AAA education program since we believe in the power of education. Investing in the youth of today secures a better world for tomorrow. During her visit she was able to spend some time with the educational staff and meet some of the students.
As teamwork and collaborations are customary in Rotary, we would like to share information and photos about an international project we recently supported.
On November 19th our club had the honor of attending the 2016 Mayor’s Gala at the Pickering Recreation Complex. Mayor Dave Ryan, and his wife Anne, put on a spectacular event themed, “Old Hollywood – An Affair to Remember”. The Gala Chair, Diana Hills, organized the entire event in true Hollywood fashion, complete with “paparazzi” and a red carpet walk.
On the evening of August 23rd Jim Louttit, the new District Governor for 7070, joined us to not only to introduce himself to the club, but to also impart his vision and objectives for the district in the coming year. Jim joined Rotary in 2005 as a founding member in Lima Peru and in 2007 moved back to Canada joining the Toronto Sunrise Club holding many positions including President.
To help boost the population, the Pickering Rotary Club is doing its part by working with partners to install pollinator habitats -- or bee condos -- in Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park in Pickering.
The goal of at Rotary at Work is to help people with a disability find meaningful work. That means a real job with real pay, commensurate for the position.
Rotary at Work is a new business to business educational program that takes a fresh look at disability and how this market segment can contribute to the workforce.
The Rotary Club of Pickering honoured the Shiv Bansal Team for their pivotal role in making the 2025 Pickering Rotary Ribfest a great success.
.jpg)