Terry Johnston, the morning man on CKDO Radio in Oshawa and the voice of the Oshawa Generals, received his second Paul Harris Fellow Award from Ted Morrison, President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, in honour of Terry's outstanding service to the community. The award was presented at the regular weekly meeting of the Rotary Club, on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club. Terry's wife Susan and sons Ethan and Curtis and a surprise visit from his Mom Sharon were all there to enjoy the occasion with Terry....
The keynote speaker at the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood on Tuesday was the Mayor of the City of Oshawa and Oshawa Rotary Club Rotarian John Henry. Mayor Henry gave his annual “State of the City “ address to the Rotary Club and praised Terry for all of his community service.
Terry's service to the Oshawa community and Durham Region are the reason that Terry received The second Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Terry is the master of ceremonies for numerous charitable events, (about 100 per year), many of which are golf tournaments, raising well over $1.5 million dollars annually. He works with local charities (over 100 per year) which include the Grandview Children’s Centre Foundation, The Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, MADD Durham and the United Way.
On Oct 26, 2012, a total of 32 deserving local candidates were honoured with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award. It is given to those who have made a significant contribution to their country, province or community. And Terry received the Diamond Jubilee Medal is in recognition of the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne, on Oct 26, 2012 from the late Jim Flaherty, MP and Finance Minister.
He received his first Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise for his service to the community. And he continues with all of his community work today.
Terry is also a committee member of the Kids' Safety Village of Durham, the signature project of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood and the Optimist Club of Ajax, and for a number of years, Terry has been instrumental in putting together the Festival of Lights for all to see at The Village in December. This past year, Terry brought together many community businesses and community groups and launched the 12 day Festival of Lights at the Kids Safety Village in late November, much to the delight of children and parents alike. And today, he continues to help make the Kids Safety Village a showpiece in Durham Region.
Terry is also a good friend of Rotary District 7070. For a number of years, Terry interviews our District Governors and airs the interview a number of times in the week leading up to World Polio Day every October.
A few years ago, the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood hosted the debate of Oshawa candidates running in the Federal Election and Terry volunteered to be the moderator of that debate which aired on Rogers TV.
President Ted Morrison said, “The Paul Harris Fellow is the highest award that a Rotary Club can bestow on a member of the community. The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.”
The Rotary Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary Clubs worldwide to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.
“The Rotary Foundation transforms our gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects,” Mr. Morrison said.
“Using donations from the Rotary Foundation, Rotary has wiped out 99 percent of all polio cases. And the more than 35,000 Rotary Clubs carry out sustainable humanitarian service projects. The donations train future peacemakers, support clean water, and strengthen local economies,” he added.
Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk. And now, Terry Johnston has received his second Paul Harris Fellow Award.
L to R: Susan Johnston, son Curtis, son Ethan, mother Sharon, and Terry.
L to R: Rotary Club of Oshawa- Parkwood President Ted Morrison and Terry Johnston
L to R: Oshawa-Parkwood Rotary Club President Ted Morrison, Mayor John Henry ( also a Rotarian in the Oshawa Rotary Club and two time Paul Harris Fellow) and Terry Johnston.
Background Information:
The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood is one of more than 35,000 Rotary Clubs in the world all striving to make the world a better place.
The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, now in its 40th year, has assisted many organizations in the city, which include Lakeridge Health-Oshawa, the R.S.McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre, many Oshawa senior citizens services, organizations that assist handicapped adults, the Grandview Children’s Centre, U.O.I.T., Durham College, YMCA, and the Kids’ Safety Village of Durham Region, just to name a few.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from 200 countries and geographical regions. Their work impacts lives both at the local and international levels, from helping families in need, right here in Oshawa, to working toward a polio-free world.
Rotarians are neighbours, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world. With differing occupations, cultures, and countries, Rotarians are given a unique perspective. Their shared passion for service helps Rotarians accomplish the remarkable.
The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood has been serving the Durham Region for over 39 years through various fundraising endeavours. If you would like to learn more about Rotary or become a member please call President Ted Morrison at 905-623-3810 or Membership Director Lennis Trotter at 905-985-0963.
Look for us at www.rotaryoshawa-parkwood.org and like us on Facebook Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Oshawa-Parkwood/144377628968467?ref=tn_tnmn
See The Rotary Foundation at https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation
And be sure to visit : The Kids Safety Village of Dirham Region at http://www.durhamsafetyvillage.com/