Weekly Meetings

Select meetings are now hybrid. Please check below or on the website to see where your meeting will be held and access your Zoom link (if available).

 

• Tony Mancinone
• Janice Bellemore
• Tolu Oyebode
• Cindy Duggal

• Peter Hrastovec (33 years)
• Robert Gordon (5 years)
• Radhi Mohammed (9 years)
• Sandra Pupatello (33 years)
• Mike Drake (25 years)
• Moe Pomerleau (14 years)
• Michelle White (3 years)

Mayor’s Reception at Willistead Manor

Inspired by the legacy of Hiram Walker and Mary Walker, whose generosity helped shape our community, the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is proud to continue that tradition of giving.

 

Thanks to record-breaking attendance at Art in the Park, our Club presented a cheque in excess of $91,000 to the City of Windsor for the preservation and restoration of Willistead Manor, marking the largest donation we have ever made.

 

What began in 1970 as a small cultural gift to the community has grown into one of the region’s premier events. Today, with just 80 members and an incredible army of volunteers and supporters, we deliver an event unlike any other, all while raising vital funds to preserve this architectural treasure and to support charitable initiatives locally and around the world.

 

As Allan shared, the credit goes back to the example set by Hiram and Mary, a belief that prosperity means little unless it is shared.

 

It is our great privilege to support the ongoing preservation and restoration of Willistead Manor, a space that has inspired generations through books, art, culture, and community.

 

And we’ll do it all again on June 6 and 7, 2026.

 

If you’d like to be part of this impact, we invite you to join us as a sponsor:

www.artintheparkwindsor.com/sponsors

 

SEE THE FULL ALBUM HERE

 

Monday Recap

This week, we had the privilege of hearing from Lady Laforet, Executive Director of the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families.

 

The Welcome Centre has been serving Windsor-Essex since 1990, providing emergency shelter and support for women and families experiencing homelessness. The presentation shared important insights about the realities facing vulnerable families in our community and the growing need for collaboration among local organizations and community leaders.

 

Thank you to Lady Laforet and the entire Welcome Centre team for the meaningful work you do every day to support families in Windsor-Essex.

 

CALL FOR EASTER BASKETS

We are once again aiming to collect 40 Easter Baskets for Children First to support the children who utilize the service while honouring the memory of our late friend and Rotarian, Mark Donlon.

 

Baskets are available for pick up at the Monday meetings, or purchase and fill your own baskets. 

 

Please drop them off at the Monday meetings or the Rotary Office by Monday, March 30th.

 

If you are not able to go out shopping but want to participate, please send funds via e-transfer to info@rotary1918.com (use password Rotary), and we will do the shopping on your behalf.  

 

We kindly request gender-neutral items for toddlers and preschool-age children. Items to consider include:

 

 

Sandbox toys, bubbles, books, Play-Doh, sidewalk chalk, stickers/sticker books, stamps, colouring books/ crayons, pre-school learning books, summer hat, stuffed animals, outdoor ball, art supplies, puzzles, skipping ropes, toothbrush, toothpaste.

 

Now Accepting RYLA Applications 

 

The Rotary Club of Windsor (1918) is once again proud to offer our members, and their friends or business acquaintances, the opportunity to nominate and send young high school students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) - at no cost to the student if selected.

RYLA is an exciting leadership development program coordinated by Rotary districts
where students in grades 9–12 can build confidence, develop key leadership skills,
connect with like-minded peers, and learn how to make a positive difference in their
communities and beyond.

What you should know:

• Students who are accepted into the program can attend at no cost —registration and transportation are covered by the Rotary Club of Windsor (1918).
• Space is limited to 10 students, so interested applicants are encouraged to apply early.
• RYLA focuses on leadership skills, ethical decision-making, teamwork, community service, and personal growth.
• Deadline to apply is Sunday, March 22, 2026. Those who are not selected will be placed on a waitlist. 

Visit the application page to learn more and submit your
registration: https://rotary1918.com/page/ryla-(for-students-in-gr-9-12)

For questions, please contact Kevin Larkin, RYLA co-chair:

Email: kevinalarkin@gmail.com or by text or call, 519-796-3063
 

Now Accepting Community Service Grant Applications

Our 2026 Community Service Grants Program, is investing $56,500 back into Windsor-Essex through local non-profit organizations making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth.

 

This year’s funding will support initiatives that:

Strengthen social safety nets for vulnerable children and families

Support existing programs serving children and youth

Build capacity for mental health services for young people

 

Proceeds from Art in the Park continue to be reinvested directly into our community through these grants — proof that when our community shows up, it makes a difference.

 

We encourage our members to be Rotary champions to support eligible organizations!

 

Applications open February 23, 2026 and close March 27, 2026

Eligible organizations may apply for up to $5,000

 

 

Successful applicants will be notified by April 30, 2026

 

For full criteria, FAQs, and to apply, visit: rotary1918.com/page/community-service-grants

 

New to Art in the Park

We're excited to introduce "Kidz Biz" to the Kidz Zone at Art in the Park! Where young entrepreneurs ages 5 to 17 bring their ideas to life at Windsor's favourite arts festival!

Proudly sponsored by AWE Academy in partnership with Rotary Club of Windsor (1918), this event empowers kids to launch real businesses by creating, marketing and selling their own products and services.

Deadline to apply is March 31, 2026. For more information and to become a Kidz Biz Exhibitor, visit KidzBizInThePark.com

Annual Fund

We want to continue to do great work locally and globally, but we need you! To qualify for District 6400 grants, our members must each donate $100 USD (the per capita giving amount) to the Annual Fund. 

 

The grants allow our club to complete many of our charitable projects and initiatives throughout the year. Your donation must be made by the end of May each year to qualify. 
 

If you haven't made your annual donation, please click this link to direct you to the Annual Fund-SHARE  https://my.rotary.org/en/donate

 

Steps: 

1. CLICK Annual Fund - SHARE

2. SELECT Donation: Country = Canada

                     Currency = US Dollar

                     One time donation or Recurring Donation (min. $10 USD/month)

    Select Amount

3. 'Sign In' if you already have an account or 'Continue as guest' (create account after you donate)

4. Enter Personal Info

5. Enter the billing address & payment details

6. Club info for club credit: Click Rotary Club - our club ID is 3018

7. Submit
 

 

NEW - HAPPY ADS!