HAPPY BUCKS:
Hilda Finnigan - went to the USA to see her grandson play football. The team won. And it was 55 years ago she become a nurse
Dave Andrews thanked Devon and Linda for hosting their party for their 50 th anniversary
Janice Coupland was excited to do some yoga and at a recent medical conference.
Dr. Kris Sachdeva won a iPad computer at the same medical conference.
Bob Stewart was happy that his putter is working and a couple tips from fellow Rotarian Mike McLaren
Devon Biddle had a wonderful European trip for their anniversary and thank again for everyone attending their function.
Ted Morrison was thankful for winning a round trip ticket for two to Florida at the resent travel show.
ROTARY MOMENT:
None tonight
GUEST SPEAKER: Trish Long – Highway of Heros Tribute
Bob Stewart introduced Trish Long.
Trish's Remarks:
Trish began her remarks by explaining the Highway of Heros and the concept of planting one tree along the Highway of Heroes for each of Canadian killed in action since Confederation – a goal of 117,000 trees!
How can we make a difference?
HOH Tribute board members include Tony DiGiovanni, Mark Cullen and Michael de Pencier, along with our master landscape designer Ron Koudys developed the idea for the Highway of Heroes Living Tribute. In May 2015, they invited Scott Bryk on to the team as Executive Director to drive the project forward.
Our Founding Partners are: Mark’s Choice (Mark Cullen); Landscape Ontario; The Garden Club of Toronto;
Maple Leaves Forever; Forests Ontario
What types of trees are you planting?
We are planting a variety of native species, both coniferous and deciduous. We are working with industry experts to ensure that the proper preparation of the soil occurs and that the correct species of tree is chosen for each location. Our goal is to ensure the trees survive and thrive.
Who will take care of them?
With your donation, the cost of 2 years of maintenance (and replacement if necessary) is covered. This work is being undertaken by professionals under contract with the Ministry of Transportation. Trees planted in public and private locations off the highway will be maintained by the land owners.
Who is planting the trees?
The trees along the 401 right-of-way are planted by various professional tree planting and landscape companies that specialize in highway tree planting. The companies must abide by the strict safety protocols outlined by the provincial Ministry of Transportation. Trees planted in public locations will be planted primarily by volunteers from the community.
Are all of the trees going right along the side of the highway?
2 million trees in total are being planted as a tribute to our veterans and their service to Canada. These trees will be planted in areas and towns along the Highway of Heroes. These are known as “Service Trees”. Of that total, 117,000 “Hero Trees” will be planted alongside the 401 in honour of all those that have lost their lives in military service to Canada since Confederation.
Where will the signage be for the trees so we know who they are dedicated to?
We are honouring our veterans and war dead in a public and respectful way so they are never forgotten. The Ministry of Transportation has determined that it is unsafe to put individual dedications or signage on trees along the highway: the risk of people stopping along the highway and causing a distraction is too high.
We post the names on our website and in our monthly newsletter. In addition, if you purchase a Canada 150 Tree you will receive a certificate worthy of framing, naming the person for whom you are dedicating a tree.
We are currently exploring other means of permanent recognition along the Highway of Heroes, perhaps in the EnRoute rest stops along the Highway of Heros.
Can I make a donation of securities or stocks? Yes, we accept donations of securities/stocks
How much of my donation goes to administrative and fundraising costs?
100% of your donation goes toward planting the 2 million trees. ALL administrative costs are funded by an anonymous Legacy Donor to ensure all public donations go directly to fulfill our mission.
Trish noted that the trees will be about 3 to 3.5 feet high and the cost is for planting and maintenance of the trees. She knew about Rotary International President, Ian Riseley’s goal of planting one tree for every Rotarian globally.
Our District 7070 goal is to plant 30,000 trees this year, one for each attendee at the RI convention in June.
District 7070 has partnered with Highway of Heroes Tribute to help make this a success. Our District has already donated $25,000 and Rotarians and their families will be able to plant them in April 2018.
So we only have 27,744 trees to go!
Individual Rotarians and our Rotary Club can join in support of Highway of Heros or carry out their own tree planting program or initiatives .
She added that 15, 000 trees have been planted to date. HOH Tribute is working with the Ministry of Transport to ensure the tree planting will look like living art as the tribute. An additional 8,000 trees will be planted in the Port Hope area in 2018 and the our area will be either the fall of 2018 or spring of 2019 along the h
Highway of Heros. The plans are to raise the money in three years and have the trees planted in 5 years.
As a district, we have committed to plant 2,256 trees by partnering with the Highway for Heroes Tribute.
Rotary International President Ian Riseley said “The time is long past when environmental sustainability can be dismissed as not Rotary’s concern. It is, and must be, everyone’s concern...”
Here's a Global TV News Report featuring Mark Cullen: https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/923555395684/
Here is a head start for Rotary Clubs:
Be sure to check out the website at http://hohtribute.ca/rotary7070 and
watch this YouTube: https://youtu.be/szEfq54taHM
HOW OUR ROTARY CLUB CAN GET INVOLVED:
For every $150 Rotary donation, 2 “Hero Trees,” two of the 117,000 honouring our war dead, will be planted along the Highway of Heroes. These “Hero Trees” will serve as a permanent part of the living tribute that will last for another 150 years, reminding future generations about the service and sacrifices made by the Canadians who came before them.The $150 also includes 2 years of maintenance and if necessary, replacement of the 2 trees; 2 Official customized Highway of Heros Tribute Certificates; your hero's name on a rolling marquee of Honour and remembrance on the Highway of Heros Tribute website; and a $150 tax receipt.
Under ‘Order Notes‘ please enter any special delivery instructions or instructions about your donation.
Under ‘Donation in Honour Of‘ please enter the 2 names of the Canadian heroes you are honouring with your donation. Please enter the names EXACTLY as you would like them on the certificate.
Under ‘Note/Message‘ please enter Rotary 7070 (and your club name if you wish).
In addition, as a result of the support of District 7070, there will be an official tree-planting day in April 2018, very close to April 22 Earth Day at a location to be confirmed, (two months before the International Convention in Toronto) in which ALL District 7070 Rotarians and their families can actively participate.
What a wonderful opportunity for Rotary support and participation!! You will also receive 2 official certificates to commemorate your gift to Canada. This certificate, worthy of display, can be customized to recognize whomever you wish. You may choose to honour one or all of your local veterans (named on your local cenotaph), members of our club, or those we believe are heroes in your eyes.
Donate online: http://hohtribute.ca/rotary7070 OR Cheque Payable to: The Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation Mail to: 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton, Ontario L9T 2X8 Please reference Rotary 7070 in the memo line on your cheque. OR we can raise funds and make a donation from our club and still get the individual recognition by working with Trish.
For further information on Highway of Heros and other tree planting initiatives and to add your numbers our district numbers please email Kevin Power at Kevin.power@rotarytoronto.com .
Sonya Thompson thanked Trish for her presentation
Meeting Adjourned by President Ted Morrison
IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT, MAKE UP : Go online at www.rotary.org go to the club locator and find a club or clubs near your destination. Or you can add the free App Rotary Club Locator to your phone for instant look up of any club in the world. Please mail or fax your make-ups to Secretary Robbie Larocque, or give your make-up card to the attendance/registration officer at the next club meeting.