At lunchtime on a cold January day in 1937, a small group of Meaford citizens gathered, most likely at the Bank of Toronto (today’s TD Bank). The first meeting of the Meaford Rotary Club established four committees – Vocational Service, Club Service, Community Service, and International Service – and the Club embarked on a long-lived commitment of service in our community.
In the years since, the Meaford Rotary Club has contributed an estimated three million dollars to the wellbeing of the people of Meaford.
Meaford Hospital Foundation and Bumstead Clinic
$275,000 over several years
Support for Mental Health Initiatives at Meaford Hospital
$50,000 in 2020 alone
Meaford community parks, cultural centers and events, including the new Library build
$250,000+ over 10 years.
Godfrey Apartments
In August of 2000, the Meaford Rotary Club took ownership of four apartment buildings on Nelson Street in Meaford. In the years since, the 32-unit Godfrey Apartments have offered sustainable, affordable housing in Meaford. The Rotary Club continues to invest substantially in upgrading the building and renovating individual apartments. Folks living in the Godfrey Apartments can trust in housing security because Meaford Rotary Club chose to house hope for its residents.
Rotary Harbour Pavilion
On June 25, 1990 the first shovel went in the ground for the Rotary Harbour Pavilion. Under the watchful eye of Russ Bumstead, who’d designed the structure, a group of volunteers – club members and friends of Rotary – enthusiastically raised the building in time for summer events that year – including a Bavarian Garden and food both and the annual Poker Run. Since then, this popular gathering place has hosted community events throughout the year for generations of Meaford families.
