By: Devan Mighton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
The Windsor-St. Clair Rotary Club recently celebrated a major milestone, marking 50 years of service to the community it has called home since 1975. Chartered in 1975, the club used its anniversary not only as a moment to reflect on the past but also as an opportunity to deepen its impact through action.
Rather than focusing solely on a single commemorative event, the club dedicated its anniversary year to a “12 Months of Service” campaign, delivering hands-on projects that reflected Rotary’s long-standing commitment to meeting local needs. At the centre of those efforts was the Child and Youth Room at Hiatus House, a project that club leaders describe as the most significant undertaking of the year.
“Among the many projects we completed this past year, the Child and Youth Room at Hiatus House stands out as the most significant project,” said Paul Charbonneau, co-chair of the anniversary committee and co-recipient of Rotarian of the Year. The space was designed to support children and families affected by domestic violence, offering a safe environment for healing, development, and quiet reflection. The Windsor-St. Clair Rotary Club contributed $81,000 toward the project.
Alongside that major initiative, the club dedicated time to several smaller yet equally significant projects. Phyllis Charbonneau, who shared co-chair responsibilities and received the Rotarian of the Year award, highlighted efforts focused on supporting women, children, and youth across the region. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
Other projects such as ‘Birthday in a Bag’ for the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families, ‘Baby and Mom Baskets’ for Our Lady of Guadalupe Home, and ‘Female Hygiene Products’ that supported the needs of three local youth centres also had a meaningful impact in the community,” she said.
Coordinating a year of service alongside anniversary celebrations presented challenges, especially for a volunteer-led organisation. Paul acknowledged that sustaining momentum over twelve months demanded dedication from the entire team membership.
“The Rotary Club of Windsor-St. Clair is an active club; but still, our 12 Months of Service Campaign was admittedly taxing in many ways,” he said. “However, members embraced the Club’s commitment to this initiative and stepped up in a way that made it rewarding for Phyllis and I and helped bring our club even closer together.”
That sense of connection was also evident at the 50th anniversary dinner, where current members were joined by former Rotarians who helped shape the club over the decades. For Phyllis, reconnecting with those past members was one of the most memorable parts of the celebration.
“Paul and I both enjoyed reconnecting with past members and inviting them to our anniversary dinner,” she said. “Seeing how much that meant to them reminded us that our club values every member—past and present.”
While the Windsor-St. Clair Rotary Club has evolved over the past fifty years; its core purpose has remained steady. “Since 1975, our club has changed in size, faces, and the ways we serve,” Phyllis said, “but we’re still a circle of people who care deeply about our community and believe that even small acts of service can make a lasting difference.”
Looking ahead, the club hopes to build on the energy of its anniversary year. “Building on the momentum of our 50th, we hope to continue this rhythm of special service projects—not necessarily every month, but enough throughout the year to make a clear and lasting difference in our community,” Paul said.
As the Windsor-St. Clair Rotary Club moves into its next chapter. The message from its 50th anniversary is clear: the strength of the club lies not only in its history, but in the people who continue to show up, lend a hand, and quietly make their community a better place.
