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HOW CLUB MEETINGS HAVE CHANGED:
Weekly in-person club meetings, usually held at Soul Sistas Restaurant in Huntsville on Thursday mornings, were put on hold in early March, as public health officials recommended physical distancing in the wake of the international COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, the club has switched to weekly online meetings held via a video conferencing app.
“Attendance has been very good, and it is nice to catch up with our Rotary friends on a weekly basis,” says Cara S., club president. “The focus of the meetings has been to maintain some semblance of normalcy in our lives with our typical updates, while also brainstorming ways to help the community.”
But she notes, too, there are also efforts to incorporate some different activities into meetings, such as yoga-instructor-led breath-work and stretching to decrease individual stress in these challenging times.
Online meetings will continue for the foreseeable future.
HOW THE CLUB IS HELPING THE COMMUNITY:
President Cara says the club has now partnered with Huntsville Senior Citizens' Club 55 to support older adults, who need help accessing groceries.
“We have a group of volunteers that goes out for the grocery shop, and then organizes a drop off with sanitization instructions to ensure we are being safe,” she says.
The club is also re-routing some of its funds to support The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation, as food security has become a challenge for individuals and families affected by widespread layoffs in north Muskoka. Food insecurity will likely worsen in the coming months.
The non-profit foundation operates a food bank at 9 Hanes St., Huntsville, and also offers takeout meals to those in need, on select days of the week.
A MESSAGE FOR THE COMMUNITY:
President Cara adds that Rotary is here to help.
“If there are any needs that are not being addressed, drop us a line and we will see what we can do,” she says. “Support each other and stay healthy!”
The Rotary Club of North Muskoka is one of three Rotary clubs based in Huntsville.
Contact the Rotary Club of North Muskoka at president@rotaryclubofnorthmuskoka.com