RECENT SUNRISER NEWS
Sunrisers Helping Kaley Helping Those in Need

Our own Scott Williams, member of the RCNS Community Services Committee was able to stop by Kaley’s Restaurant to present her with a cheque for her Buy One, & Donate breakfast program. The money is used to provide morning nutrition to those who may be in need. The timing was good as the program had recently stalled due to lack of funds. Kaley does little advertising for donations and relies on word of mouth to keep things running. Thanks to Jim Simpson, RCNS member who brought this idea forward to the committee. Keep up the great work Kaley & Team. 
 

Rotary Exchange Students Help to Conquer an Algonquin Winter
Celebrating are (l-r) George-Owen Damoyi Bouridis, Charli Goulet, Daniel Muller-Vidal, Rasmus KJaer and Richard Baeker

Recently, Rotary District 7090 organized its annual winter excursion to Algonquin Park in support of the Rotary Youth & Exchange Programs. Representing the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise were Rasmus (inbound exchange student from Denmark), Daniel (inbound exchange student from Spain) and Charli (outbound exchange student going to Brazil). Representing the Rotary Club of Simcoe were Richard (inbound exchange student from Germany) and George-Owen (outbound exchange student going to Japan). The whole group (split into two) from D7090 had the experience of a lifetime from 11-14 &14-17 Feb '26 as conducted by the  the Algonquin Background Canoe Experiences team.
Go to the ‘Read more …’ tab to read a short summary of the trip as written by the students themselves. Also given is a short video that the students produced that captures their Algonquin experience and excitement.

Read more...
Guest Speaker 03 Mar '26 - Shannon Porter - NH Hospice Developments
Co-Pres Ross Gowan, CTA Reps Gail Catherwood, Gail Bouw, Shannon Porter & Co-Pres Mary Mercato
On Tuesday morning, 03 Mar ‘26, Kristine Carey welcomed Shannon Porter as our Guest Speaker - Shannon is a passionatre advocate for, and a Board Member at, the Norfolk/Haldimand Community Hospice. At our hybrid session, he provided us with a most informative update on the progress being made to bring a modern, effective, 10-bed hospice to our community. Over the course of his presentation, Shannon detailed the background of the initiative, the scope of the project and the progress being made by the community. Suffice to say that fundraising is on-track and the plan is for ‘shovels-in-the-ground’ this summer!
More information describing the NH Community Hospice is at this link.  
It was a great insight into this long-sought facility within Norfolk County. Many, many questions followed; all capably-answered by Shannon. In the end, Co-President Mary Mercato offered appreciative remarks in thanking him for his passion and for the progress being made. She also indicated the ways in which our Club, like so many others, is behind the project; morally, materially and physically. Shannon was then presented with a cheque for the NH Hospice representing one-half of the proceeds we raised from our most-recently completed 10th CTA Licence. 
Read more...
We're Going to be 30!

In the spring of 1996, a new Rotary Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Simcoe, appeared on the Norfolk scene. The aim was to expand opportunities for Norfolk residents wanting to serve locally & internationally by participating in Rotary programs and activities. On May 16, 1996 the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) received its Charter from Rotary International (RI) and began its own record of  "Service above Self”. Go to the ‘Read more …’ tab to see our Charter members!

Read more...
First RCNS Music-Bingo; They Came, They Dined, They Sang, They Danced & They Donated
Iris Smith flashing the 'Big Prize' from the Even-Steven Draw

Fellowship, food, fun, footwork and fundraising - who could ask for more!
On Valentines Day of the 2026 Family Day long-weekend, the RCNS organized and hosted our first-ever Music-Bingo, Dinner-Dance fundraiser at the Simcoe Legion.
With almost 100 Rotarians and guests in attendance, the RCNS filled the house and had a great time. As organized by our W&M leader Cathy Harrop, supported by music-bingo entrprenuer Hal Whitcomb (DJ Hal) & wife Debbie and catered by Bobbi Howe and her team, we all sang and danced ourselves into the night. Through the generosity of so many of our Club members, a huge array of donated prizes were available to win as a result of the bingo, even-steven, door and penny-table games and draws.
After it was all over, it was estimated that we had raised over $3500 to support our different Rotary support programs. So much work went into pulling off this very popular fundraiser. Helping Cathy to put it all together were Sunrisers Bettyann Carty, Sue Finney, Michelle Langedyk, Tina Millea, Linda Muir, Sarah Muntz-Flowerday and Louise Schebesch,    
A selection of photos are at the ‘Read more…’ tab and an even larger number are at the Club's Photo Album at this link.
As leader of the initiative, Cathy was thrilled with the results, noting that so many people encouraged a repeat event that she was already thinking of ways to do it better -  talk about ‘Service above Self’

Read more...
PH Awards '26 - Foundation Support
RCNS Co-Pres Mary Mercato, Keith Jones, Jim Simpson, Co-Pres Ross Gowan
One of the three ways that a Paul Harris Fellowship may be awarded is for an individual to make a substantial personal financial contribution to the Rotary Foundation. As a result, in 2025 the Rotary Foundation has recognized Jim Simpson & Keith Jones with Paul Harris Fellowships for their continuing support of the Foundation. The recognition pins were introduced and presented by Co-Presidents Mary Mercato & Ross Gowan.
Donations to the Rotary Foundation by Club Rotarians such as Keith & Jim, are the lifeblood of our corporate body, supporting projects around the world such as polio eradication, clean water, youth development and providing grant money back to Clubs for their local projects.
We are so proud of the many selfless and generous RCNS leaders such as Jim & Keith who support this cause.
YiR
Read more...
RCNS Receives Peace & Reconciliation Global Grant
Youth Participants at the 2025 Y2Y Experience in Halifax

The RCNS is pleased to announce the award of a $75,000 Rotary Global Grant to foster Peace and Reconciliation. The grant, with supporting funding from Rotary clubs in Brantford, St Catharines, Hamilton–Stony Creek, Niagara Falls and Toronto area clubs and International club South Portland Cape Elizabeth, Maine is in support of the upcoming Youth to Youth (Y2Y) Truth and Reconciliation Experience to be held at Chiefswood Park in Ohsweken (near Brantford) March 22-29.

Read more...
CTA Lic#10 - The Ace has been Caught!
Mary Mercato (Co-Pres RCNS), Kane & Jennifer Irwin, Judy Buck (PD Legion), Gail Bouw (RCNS)
Winner, Winner!  Gagnon, Gagnon! … the elusive Ace of Spades has been caught for the tenth time.
After 38 weeks of anticipation, The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) is thrilled to announce the winner of their 9th lottery licence is Kane Irwin of Port Dover. Kane picked lucky envelope #48 holding the Ace of Spades. As the weekly winner, Kane pocketed $500, but as the lottery grand-prize, winner, he also took home $28,500. Not bad for a Friday night at the Port Dover Legion. Kane and his wife Jennifer made it known that they had just recently been told that they were about to become grand-parents for the very first time and that getting to that event in Paris France would now be a lot easier! Kane also remarked about the value that both the RCNS and the local Legion play in the community and that he was more than grateful for that wider community support.
Read more...
Again in 2025; The Dragons Invaded and We Slayed Them
Evidently, the 'Dragons' like it hot ... not even the most serious heat-wave in recent memory could dampen the energy for 24 DragonBoat teams (over 500 paddlers) brought to the Dragon Boat Festival in Waterford, Sunday 22 June 2025.
Sponsored once again by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and the Cancer Resource Support Program (CSRP), this annual, community event is a major fundraiser for both organizations. Well-over 30 volunteers were onsite including Rotary Sunrisers, CSRP members, family, friends and students.
On Race Day, the heats started at 9am and finished up around 4pm. In spite of the record temperatures, spirits ran high throughout the park with many moving to the great music provided and the cheering as race times and winners were announced. Everyone was kept nourished with the local food vendors onsite and entertained with music all day long. Again this year, we arranged for formal team pictures to be taken behind the wooden dragon boat and paddles made by Abel Enterprises. Again his year, a highlight of the day was the carnation ceremony to remember all those currently battling breast cancer, those in remission and those who have died.
Go to the 'Read more ...' tab for more on this story, the participating teams, notes of our appreciation, our connection to the CSRP and more.
Until next year - Paddles Up!  (or maybe down for a wee rest)
Read more...
Happy Trails in Norfolk County

"A speaker at a Rotary meeting sparked an initiative that led to a valued legacy project by the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) and for our community.  In 2008 the RCNS hosted a speaker from Norfolk County’s Planning & Economic Development Department to speak about the County’s new Strategic Plan. One of the goals identified in that plan was for the County to develop a walking and cycling trail through Simcoe on the historical Lake Erie and Northern Railway line.  Following that meeting, and some discussion by the RCNS Board, we told the County “We can help with that!”  And help we did, to the betterment of our community."

See how we went about this at the 'Read more ...'  tab.   Watch the video to see how much fun we have with this task!

Read more...
CTA Licence Progress & Results
Following ten, successfully-concluded licences of our ever-popular Catch the Ace (CTA) fundraiser, the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise, with the support of the Port Dover Legion Branch 158,  will be re-starting the game on Friday 03 April '26. This new start will be our eleventh licence and it will conclude once the Ace of Spade is finally drawn later in the year.
Once a licence is concluded, a summary of the results is generated. This summary information is then shared with the local print media and can also be found on this web-site - ie see our FUNdraiser Tab at the top of this website to see the results  from our tenth completed licence.
Read more...
Upcoming Events
GUEST SPEAKERS
Doug Hunt
Mar 17, 2026 7:00 AM
Simcoe Lions Club - Wellington Park Developments
tba
Mar 24, 2026 7:00 AM
tba
tba
Mar 31, 2026 7:07 AM
tba
Jim & Marjorie Dawson
Apr 21, 2026 7:00 AM
Y2Y 2026 Progress Report
tba
Apr 28, 2026 7:08 AM
tba
View entire list...
RCNS Bulletin Subscribe
Subscribe to our eBulletin and stay up to date on the latest news and events.

Click here to sign up!
RCNS FaceBook
Social Media Links
Facebook   Instagram   Linkedin Graphics   YouTube  
RCNS Supports the Free Reading Program
 
Co-Presidents Mary & Ross' Message
As we begin year two of our co-presidency, we will stay the course with a few exciting and innovating ideas. This past year we hosted a very successful Invasion of the Dragons Festival, made a generous donation to the Norfolk Haldimand Community Hospice, planted 120 trees and supported many other organizations and projects in our community and abroad. With community projects/service and youth in the forefront for the coming year, we are committed to making a difference locally and globally. We are truly thankful to our fellow Sunrisers for their dedication and support.  
If you are interested in Service Above Self, this very dynamic and engaged Club invites you to join us at one of our meetings and get to know us. Be part of the good of our community. 
Mary
Photos '25-'26
Business Partner
Business Partner
Business Partner
Community
Sponsors
Sunrisers - Fun Photos