Community Service

Virginia Park Community Centre - Homework Room Makeover

On Friday, January 27, 2006 (which was also Family Literacy Day), five of our Rotarians spent the better part of the day working as a Paint Crew to freshen up the "Homework Room"at the Virginia Park Community Centre on Harding Road. Our Club had donated $500 towards the cost of the paint and supplies, as well as a couple of new bookshelves. And our Paint Crew (Dave Fowler, John Kearley, Steve Morrisey, Ed Kennedy, and Heddy Peddle) provided the labour. This Homework Room is used regularly after school (3:30 tp 4:45 p.m.) by 30-40 school children from the Virginia Park neighbourhood, as a place to do their homework, read quietly or work on a computer, meet with friends, and as a safe and interesting place to go before dinnertime. The children arrived after school on Friday to find their room totally re-done in bright red (colour selected by staff), and they were very appreciative and excited. The Family Literacy Day cake helped, of course!

Rotary NW's effort in this project was bolstered by the participation of 9 high school students from St. Bon's, along with their Teacher Sponsor, Cathy Carroll. These energetic and eager students also painted, cleaned and tidied the Community Centre, and helped with the preparation of activities for the Family Literacy Day celebrations. These students may become the nucleus of a new Rotaract Club at St. Bon's, and their attendance was arranged by our Club's liaison with St. Bon's, Steve Morrisey. Great idea to bring these students along, Steve, and judging from their enthusiasm, they would make great student Rotarians.

(Dave Fowler and Ed Kennedy at the Virginia Park Community Centre Homework Room Makeover, Jan. 27, 2006.)


(John Kearley at the Virginia Park Community Centre Homework Room Makeover, Jan. 27, 2006.)


(Some of the Rotary Paint Crew at work at the Virginia Park Community Centre, Jan. 27/06. Left: John Kearley; right: Dave Fowler and Ed Kennedy.)


(Rotarian Steve Morrisey perparing to paint, Virginia Park Community Centre, Jan. 27/06. )


(St. Bon's high school students contributed to the cleaning and painting of the Virginia Park Community Centre, Jan. 27/06.)


(St. Bon's high school students and their teacher sponsor, Cathy Carroll (white shirt), helped with the preparation of activities for the school children who were expected to attend the Family Literacy Day celebrations later in the day, Jan. 27/06.)


(Rotary NW Paint Crew for the Homework Room Makeover at the Virginia Park Community Centre, Jan. 27, 2006: Steve Morrisey, John Kearley, Dave Fowler, Ed Kennedy, Heddy Peddle.)


(The candidates for the nucleus of a Rotaract Club at St. Bon's, with their teacher sponsor, Cathy Carroll (2nd from left) and our Rotary NW liaison, Steve Morrisey (far right), at the Virginia Park Community Centre, Jan. 27, 2006. )


(After a hard effort, the children enjoy the room...and some cake!!)