By: Kenneth Pastushyn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Members of the Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial along with their partner, WindsorEssex Community Foundation presented a cheque for $45,000 during the town council meeting. It was the first installment of the Rotary Circle at LaSalle Landing.
“We are excited to present the citizens of LaSalle with a lasting legacy that will beautify our
town and give its citizens and visitors a place for relaxation and reflection,” said Mary Lou
Amlin, past president of Rotary Club of LaSalle and chair of the legacy committee for
Rotary Circle when addressing the mayor and town councilors.
The Rotary Circle is part of the town’s waterfront beautification plan along the Detroit River.
It’s a “multi-amenity environment” nestled beside a 250-metre year-round trail. In the
summer, adults can relax on benches while watching the kids play at the water feature
comprised of 24 jet-sprays. When those spray-jets aren’t in use, the open space can be
used for large gatherings such as performances. (In the winter, the area can be used for fire
pits.) Three large canopy sails will provide cool-shaded spots.
This project is one way of celebrating Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial’s 20th anniversary. A
past project included the Rotary Room at the Vollmer Recreation Centre.
The Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial is one of over 45,000 clubs worldwide with more than
1.4 million volunteers dedicated to improving local and global communities. The Rotary
Club motto: Service Above Self.
“Helping people, creating goodwill and promoting peace,” said Amlin, 65 and retired,
“Our main goal is to eradicate polio worldwide.”
Amlin added Rotary (clubs) have been working to eradicate polio by providing funds for
vaccinations since 1979, with polio remaining endemic in only two countries. Supporting
education is another global initiative.
“Our club supports a young girl in Guatemala to go to high school,” said Amlin, where in
many impoverished nations, parents cannot afford to pay for their children’s education.
In LaSalle, the Rotary Club awards two $1,000 scholarships annually for local high school
graduates. Other youth activities include the sponsorship of the Interact Club which as
Amlin says, “introduces young people to the value of leadership.”
The Rotary Club also increases people’s awareness for such things like Oneday Dreams
for terminally ill adults (the equivalent to Starlight and Make-A-Wish foundations for
children) along with Hiatus House, which supports women suffering from gender-based
violence. Their next fundraiser, Big Hats and High Tea Social, in May will support Hiatus
House.
Amlin also mentioned the Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial’s improvement of the
environment with annual park and trail cleanups.
“We are service-minded people,” said Amlin. “People who don’t mind getting their hands
dirty.”
And the volunteers of the LaSalle’s Rotary Club do work with their hands when it comes to
reducing food insecurity by cutting up vegetables for soup mix at the Southwestern Ontario
Gleaners in Leamington. Club members also prepared and served meals at the Downtown
Windsor Mission and distributed Holiday Hope food baskets for the needy.
Fellowship, making friends, working together and having a good time is what Rotary Clubs
are all about according to Amlin.
“Sometimes it’s hard for adults to make new friends,” said Amlin. “At Rotary, you meet like-
minded people.”
And since the pandemic, all service clubs have had problems attracting new people. Amlin
said the Rotary Club LaSalle Centennial is starting to grow again.
If you are interested in joining, Amlin suggests visiting the rotarylasalle.ca website and
sending an email to lasallecentennial@gmail.com and there will be a reply. They are always
happy to welcome new members.
Amlin’s last word was the reminder of the grand opening in the spring at LaSalle Landing
assuring it will be “a big event” and a chance for everybody to enjoy the Rotary Circle.”
To learn more about the Rotary Circle or to donate, go to: rotarylasalle.ca/rotary-circle
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