In President Francesco's September 2025 Newsletter, he talks about Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, and our clear call to action: to strengthen the foundation of learning in every community we serve. We know the solution: sustainable, inclusive, and equitable education, especially for girls and marginalized youths. He says that literacy is the key to human dignity, economic mobility, and peace . He adds, "Our work in education must extend beyond a single year. Literacy projects take time to take root, grow, and bear fruit.". Here is his call to action: "Let us use this month to welcome new members with a passion for education and empower existing ones to lead service projects that reflect local needs. Whether you’re building libraries, distributing textbooks, or mentoring students, your actions matter". He says that the fight for literacy is not only about access, it’s about equity. It is about ensuring every learner, regardless of background, has the opportunity to reach their potential. "Lets commit to Literacy that lasts" ......
Peace through education
When I stepped into the role of Rotary International president, the moment came swiftly and unexpectedly. It got me thinking how the world can change in an instant, and how Rotary has the power to be a steady force for good in that change. This month, Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy Month, we have a clear call to action: to strengthen the foundation of learning in every community we serve.
Millions of people worldwide remain unable to read. Millions of children lack access to basic education. And yet, we know the solution: sustainable, inclusive, and equitable education, especially for girls and marginalized youths. Literacy is more than the ability to read and write. It is the key to human dignity, economic mobility, and peace. Every book opened, every classroom supported, and every teacher trained becomes a building block of peace.
This year, our message is Unite for Good. “Unite” speaks to the strength we find in each other. When we unite our talents and resources — not only among our clubs but across partners, organizations, and communities — we expand our reach. And when we do so consistently over time, we create lasting change. Rotary service cannot be measured only in annual goals. Our work in education must extend beyond a single year. Literacy projects take time to take root, grow, and bear fruit.
Now is the time to think boldly and creatively. New types of clubs can help us engage educators, students, and advocates in new ways. Let us use this month to welcome new members with a passion for education and empower existing ones to lead service projects that reflect local needs. Whether you’re building libraries, distributing textbooks, or mentoring students, your actions matter.
Education is also peacebuilding. Every scholarship we provide, every early childhood program we support, every adult literacy class we fund is an act of peace. And Rotary has been building peace in this way for more than a century.
Let us not forget that the fight for literacy is not only about access, it’s about equity. It is about ensuring every learner, regardless of background, has the opportunity to reach their potential. And it is about standing together — across borders, languages, and generations — to say that education is a right, not a privilege.
Let’s Unite for Good by committing to literacy that lasts. Let’s dream of a world where every child learns to read. And then, as people of action, let’s work together to make that dream a reality.
Together, we can change lives, starting with the power of education. Together, we Unite for Good.
Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International
September's Theme
Worldwide, 67 million children have no access to education, and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our members support educational projects that provide technology, teacher training, vocational training teams, student meal programs, and low-cost textbooks to communities. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
Basic education and literacy is one of The Rotary Foundation’s six areas of focus. We know that basic education and literacy are essential for reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace.
Consider these facts:
If all women completed primary education, there would be 66% fewer maternal deaths.
A child born to a mother who can read is 50% more likely to survive past the age of five.
If all students in low-income countries left school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, which would be equivalent to a 12% cut in world poverty.
The world is making good progress in this area. According to a 2014 United Nations Millennium Development Goals progress report, literacy rates among adults and youths are on the rise and the gender gap in literacy is narrowing. Rotary supports activities and training to improve education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
How is Edmonton West Supporting Education and Literacy?
Our board received a proposal from a former member, Ken Brander.
He is working in the village of Garden River on the Little Red River Cree Nation which is located 195 kms east of High Level and approximately 800 kms north of Edmonton. He is doing work as a Peacekeeper for the nation's domestic security initiative. Garden River is remote and the closest RCMP are 90 minutes away. It's a tough place to live with many of the troubles one might expect such as drug and alcohol abuse, suicides, wretched living conditions, poor school attendance, and the like. There are also many good stories as well. It's meaningful work and they are clearly making a positive impact there. But that's another story....which he would be glad to share.
He wrote to us about an opportunity which may interest the club. He is organizing and sponsoring READ-IN Week at the village's only school for those students in K-6. The school is called Sister Gloria and this will be the first time they have had READ IN Week. Ken and his fellow Peacekeepers will be guest readers to the students that week and he is trying to get community members to participate as well.
He is fundraising to purchase 70 new books for the 7 classes of K-6. This way each teacher has 10 new books for their classroom. Initially, he had been aiming for one new book for each K-6 student but there are 201 students registered and he isn't sure he can fundraise quite that much. He is purchasing the books on Book Depot (Canadian discount bookstore) and the average price is about $7 per book. He is consulting with the school's librarian to ensure he chooses age-appropriate books. The Peacekeepers are all contributing their own funds as is Ken's own company.
The board voted unanimously to support this proposal with a $1000 cheque. We look forward to a visit from Ken to tell us about the event.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Spencer Mueller
September 10
Sherry Holmes
September 11
Bev Yee
September 19
Duart Berg
September 21
Arthur Lachance
October 18
Douglas Sollows
October 22
Vicky Grabb
October 29
Spouse Birthdays
Kate Hobin
September 4
Join Date
Vic Rudkowski
September 15, 2014
11 years
Duart Berg
September 16, 2013
12 years
Robert Dunseith
October 1, 1997
28 years
Karen Gibbens
October 15, 2022
3 years
Jocelyn Neumann
October 21, 2024
1 year
Meena Deccan
October 29, 2018
7 years
Ronald McDonald House
Good food, great company and giving back. Members from our club and the Sunday Rotaract Club cooked a meal for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House as part of the Home for Dinner Program.
Fred also presented a cheque for $770 to support the important work that they do. The funds were raised from the 50/50 draw at our Golf Fundraiser.
Their primary goal is to retrieve, repair, recycle and redistribute sports equipment to kids aged 4-17 in families facing financial hardship.
They believe that very kid deserves the freedom to pedal into adventure. Biking isn’t just a wheelie good time—it builds confidence, fosters independence, and creates memories that last a lifetime.
Most bicycles are donated by generous Edmonton and area residents whose own children have outgrown them or no longer require them. Some are also donated by Edmonton area sports stores and municipalities with unclaimed or surplus bikes to dispose of. Sport Central is a registered charity for kids in need. Volunteers collect, inspect, salvage, service, repair, store, and match donated bicycles in such a way that as many kids as possible can be helped with a suitable bike.
Edmonton West volunteers, together with the Sunday Rotaract Club and Vimy Ridge Interact Club spent an evening at Sport Central. We helped pre-service 37 donated bicycles, getting them ready for the technicians. You can't help but think about all the smiling faces of the children when they receive their bikes.
395 Air Cadet Squadron
Rotary Edmonton West's partnership with 395 Royal Canadian Air Cadets is the Club's longest-running New Generations Service partnership dating back to the 1980s. Cadets have traditionally received training in flying and gliding, survival skills, physical fitness, public speaking, citizenship, and precision drill. They can form friendships which last a lifetime.
Lorne attended the parade at the HMCS Nonsuch and presented them with a cheque for $10,000 to support the squadron.
Highway Clean Up
A beautiful fall day spent in great company!
Today, we teamed up with fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors for our regular cleanup along our stretch of Highway 16. It's always rewarding to give back to the community — and you never know what oddities you’ll come across. This time? A surprising find... a pair of purple panties! 😄
Thanks to everyone who came out to help keep our highway clean and beautiful.
Canmore Rotary Club is pursuing a Global Grant for Ukraine supplying hospital equipment. A number of Alberta Clubs are involved in this initiative and one from Sweden. Canmore has
worked with this Ukraine hospital in the past. The Canmore Club seeking $2000 US from each Club that wants to be a participant in the project. The project is to be staged out of Poland.
The Edmonton West Board has voted to support this initiative.
Rotary Club of Edmonton West Clothing
Our club will be ordering new Rotary clothing to celebrate our 70th anniversary. Wearing Rotary apparel at events and hands-on activities is a great way to showcase our pride and promote the Rotary brand in the community, and look good at the same time.
An email was sent out and hard copies will be available at meetings. The deadline to order will be October 15th, 2025. We need a minimum of 25 items to go ahead with the order.
If you have any questions, please call or email Annie.
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