RECENT SUNRISER NEWS
Bringing Smiles to a First Nation

Bringing Smiles to Pikangikum First Nation

Laughter and smiles filled the women’s lodge in the remote fly-in community of Pikangikum First Nation as boxes of donated underwear were opened. Thanks to the generosity of My Top Drawer, more than 200 pairs of new underwear, along with nursing bras and baby support belts, were donated to the women’s lodge, the nursing station for expectant mothers, and the local school to support girls in need.

Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise members Jim and Marjorie Dawson delivered the donations during their annual visit to Pikangikum, where they continue their long-standing involvement with Project Journey. Working alongside community leaders, they help teach canoeing skills to Grade 5 and 6 students and support the high school outdoor education program.

This year, students who successfully completed their canoe training celebrated with a three-day wilderness canoe trip, enjoying the experience of camping, canoeing, and living off the land.

The visit also included a generous donation from Beach Reads, which provided young adult books for students to keep and enjoy. With no high school library in the community, the books were a treasured gift. Within minutes of receiving them, students were reading throughout the school, and several even brought their new books along on the canoe trip.

The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise is grateful to My Top Drawer and Beach Reads for helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people of Pikangikum First Nation.

Ribfest 50/50 Tickets are on sale now

We are back at fundraising this summer with our 50/50 ticket lottery.  For a mere 1 for $5 or 3 for $10, you can have a chance at a potential jackpot of $12,500.  Ticket to be drawn on August 30 at Norfolk Ribfest (Norfolk County Fairgrounds).  In advance of Ribfest, please reach out to any Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise member or email dpmacroy@gmail.com with your request for tickets.  Good Luck!

Farm Workers 3, OPP-WR 2

The 3rd Annual Farm-to-Farm Tug of War & OPP vs. Farm Employee Soccer Match brings together farm workers, local farmers, the OPP, community partners, and families for a day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit.
Our Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise helps in a small way by providing the soccer jerseys for the Farm Employee All-Stars and the local O.P.P. 
Community partnerships like this help create opportunities to connect, celebrate, and strengthen our rural communities.
 

Changeover 2026
Presidents Pam Shantz and Mary Mercato
Following the 2025-2026 activity year, it was time for the Sunrisers to enjoy ourselves at the Waterford Legion and to conclude some timely Club business before our summer break. It was planned as a moment to have some social time, to reflect on that which we have accomplished, to welcome our newest members, to induct our new Board Directors for 2026-2027, to offer our appreciation to Co-President Mary Mercato who served so professionally over the past two years (along with Co-President Ross Gowan) and for the helm to be taken by incoming President Pam Shantz
Go to the 'Read more ...' tab to read more and/or to see selected photos from each of these aims.  Click on this link to see a compilation of all of the photos of this event as kept on Club Runner data site. We thank John Wallace who provided emcee guidance through all of this, Keith Jones who welcomed our new members and Gail Bouw and her Club Services team for organizing such a great evening of Rotary fellowship.
Now, for a short summer break after which we look forward to a challenging fall schedule of business & fun being kicked off on 25 August at our Welcome Back BBQ followed shortly thereafter with our second version of the Norfolk County Rib-Fest set for 28-30 August.
RCNS@30 - Leadership over the Years
RCNS Presidents 1996-2026

As we celebrate our 30th Anniversary in 2026, we are thankful for those who have provided us with such great community and Club leadership since 1996.
We were chartered on 16 May 1996; from the 54 original members, Charter President Keith Flexman emerged as the one who set a leadership example for many others to follow. Including Keith, the Club has been blessed with 26 different Sunrisers who have risen to the challenge and provided leadership that we can all be proud of.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the 26 exceptional leaders who have shaped the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise over its 30-year history. Their dedicated ‘Service above Self’ truly built and continues to promote our lasting legacy.

RCNS@30 - Leadership in the Beginning
RCNS Charter Members 1996

The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) is celebrating this year - we're 30 years old and we’ve provided Rotary ‘Service above Self’ to our communities from the beginning.

The RCNS was charted as a Rotary International Club within District 7090 on 16 May 1996. Our Charter President was Keith Flexman, and he, along with 53 other Sunrisers, charted our early path of success. 
In retrospect, we salute these 53 charter members of the RCNS. Their 1996 vision and early leadership forged a legacy of service, forever inspiring our commitment to the communities we stand for.

The Dragons Invaded and We Slayed Them

Dragon Boat Festival a Great Success at Shadow Lake

Perfect weather helped set the stage for another successful Dragon Boat Festival at Shadow Lake in Waterford on June 20 (practice day) and June 21 (race day), 2026. Seventeen teams and nearly 400 paddlers took to the water for a weekend of spirited competition, community fellowship, and fundraising.

Hosted by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) in partnership with the Cancer Resource Support Program (CSRP), the annual festival raises vital funds to support the work of both organizations. More than 30 dedicated volunteers—including Rotary members, CSRP volunteers, donors, family, friends, and students—helped ensure the event ran smoothly.

Race Day featured exciting heats from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with spectators enjoying live music, local food vendors, and plenty of enthusiastic cheering throughout the day. Teams also gathered for commemorative photos in front of the handcrafted wooden dragon boat and paddles created by Abel Enterprises.

A highlight of the festival was the moving Cancer Ceremony, which honoured those currently living with breast cancer, survivors in remission, and those who have passed away. It served as a powerful reminder of the community spirit and purpose behind this annual event.

Thank you to everyone who paddled, volunteered, sponsored, and attended. Your support made this year's festival another memorable success.

Until next year—Paddles Up!

Calendar
GUEST SPEAKERS

Sunrisers - by the Numbers

RCNS Supports the Free Reading Program
 

President Pam's Message

As we launch into our 31st year of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, we will continue to build on the success of our predecessors.  This year we have pledged to raise close to $75,000 dollars to be distributed in the Norfolk community as well as several projects throughout the world. I am excited to lead an energetic group of leaders this year as we participate in several fundraising projects in our community.  
This year, I will introduce a potential project to the Club members and we will go through the process of developing a new project.  It will be an excellent educational process for the members. I will attempt to respond to some of the ideas that members identified in our satisfaction survey. We have updated our Action Plan and have some interesting goals to achieve this year.  I will work with our committee leaders to achieve these goals. 
We have an active and fun-loving membership that I enjoy being around so I look forward to a successful year.

Pam

Photos '25-'26
Business Partner
Business Partner
Business Partner
Community
Sponsors
Sunrisers - Fun Photos