In President Francesco's February 2026 Newsletter, he talks about February being Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention month and cites examples of great works by Rotary in Columbia, India and Chad. He says that , "From Columbia to India to Chad, the lesson is clear: Peace is not a dream. It is the result of sustained action with a focus on true, lasting impact. To replicate these successes, Rotary clubs can take three steps: Learn from peace fellows and other peace experts in our organization, apply a peacebuilding lens to community assessments, and prioritize impact over ceremony.". He tells us that "Rotary cannot be satisfied with half measures of empty words. If we are truly people of action, then action must define us. Together, we can Create Lasting Impact, across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. " .......
Let Action Define Us
At last month's International Assembly. President-elect Olayinka "Yinka" Hakeem Babalola called on members of the Rotary world to live out our presidential message for the 2026-2027 Rotary year , Create Lasting Impact.
This February, as we observe Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month, we have an opportunity to channel Yinka's call to action into real change.
Peace is not simply the absence of war. A life free from conflict but marked with hunger, instability, or the inability to care for one's family is not peace. Peace requires liberty, opportunity and respect for human dignity. Yet fear often blocks that path - fear of change, of cultural loss, of people we don't understand.
Fear isn't defeated through avoidance or aggression. Knowledge is the first step toward peace. Rotary embraces this idea. Our Rotary Peace Centers and their peace fellows, along with other peace education initiatives, demonstrate how knowledge builds trust and helps communities find solutions to conflict.
In Columbia, decades of conflict have left deep wounds. The 2025 Rotary Foundation Programs of scale awardee, Pathways to Peace and Prosperity, partners with the United Nations World Food Program to expand opportunity, improve conflict resolution, and connect people with social services. Its goal is to break cycles of violence, poverty and food insecurity so peace can take root.
In Maharashtra, India, People of Action honoree, Swati Herkal built peace through prosperity. Her project confronted farmers' declining soil health, rising debt and illness caused by chemical fertilizers. She and her Rotary partners launched a regenerative agriculture program that revitalized the land, lowered costs, and restored stability. More than 1,100 farmers now participate and over 50 villages have adopted the model.
Rotary also advocates peace by restoring dignity. in Chad, Rotary Peace fellow Domino Frank discovered more than 1,500 women who fought in a rebellion had been erased from reintegration programs. His advocacy led to Chad's first Rotary Foundation global grant and the creation of Corridors of Peace. More than 100 women - triple the goal - completed literacy and vocational training and formed a cooperative to support their families.
From Columbia to India to Chad, the lesson is clear: Peace is not a dream. It is the result of sustained action with a focus on true, lasting impact. To replicate these successes, Rotary clubs can take three steps: Learn from peace fellows and other peace experts in our organization, apply a peacebuilding lens to community assessments, and prioritize impact over ceremony.
In a world filled with fear, Rotary cannot be satisfied with half measures of empty words. If we are truly people of action, then action must define us. Together, we can Create Lasting Impact, across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Francesco Arezzo
President, Rotary International
Happy Birthday Rotary
February 23 is Rotary’s 12ist Birthday. That day is also called World Understanding and Peace Day. On February 23, 1905, little did Paul Harris and his three friends realize what they were starting when they met in room 711 of the Unity Building in Chicago. We have come a long way, since then, but we still have a long way to go to achieve goodwill, peace, and understanding among all people of the world. And there is more to read.......
The Board of Directors of Rotary International asks that all Rotary Clubs plan programs at your weekly meetings and take on special activities to emphasize understanding and goodwill as essential components of world peace. February is a chance for every club to pause, plan and promote our Fourth Avenue of Service – Our continued goal for goodwill, peace, and understanding among all people of the world, as we also celebrate
This Month's Theme
Building Peace, Creating Change
Today, the world faces complex challenges that too often erupt into violent conflict. At Rotary, we refuse to accept conflict as a way of life.
Through peace education, capacity building, and strategic partnerships, Rotary integrates peacebuilding into all our programs and service. We believe that when people work to create peace in their communities, that positive change can ripple across the globe.
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members actively address the root causes of conflict—including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources. Together, we turn action into lasting impact.
Rotary has a longstanding history of promoting Positive Peace and addressing the root causes of conflict in communities around the world. Guided by the Positive Peace pillars — the essential building blocks of a sustainable and thriving society — we remain committed to creating stronger, more resilient communities.
What are we doing?
As the first Positive Peace Club in our District, the Rotary Club of Edmonton West is proud to commemorate our 70th Anniversary with a Peace Pole display at Edmonton City Hall beginning February 25, 2026, running for thirty days. This display will be followed by a Peace Ceremony at City Hall on July 1, 2026 — Canada Day — coinciding with the visit of RI Director Marty Helman as she begins her Zones 28 & 32 Impact Tour in Edmonton.
Inspired by Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo’s February message, “Let Action Define Us,” these events are a powerful reminder that our legacy is not only reflected in our history, but in the meaningful work we continue to do. Through service, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to peacebuilding, we demonstrate our values in action.
Rotary Club of Edmonton West's 70th Anniversary Gala
The 70th Anniversary Gala was a truly fabulous evening filled with celebration, reflection, and fellowship. With peace at the heart of Rotary’s mission, we honored seven decades of Service Above Self and the partnerships that allow us to create meaningful impact locally and around the world.
Inspired by Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo’s February message — “Let Action Define Us” — the evening was a powerful reminder that our legacy is not only in our history, but in what we continue to do. Through service, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to peacebuilding, we demonstrate our values in action.
We were especially grateful to share our celebration with the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Salma Lakhani, and the Mayor of Edmonton, Andrew Knack. Their presence underscored the importance of leadership, community, and service.
We are also sincerely thankful to the many organizations we work alongside for joining us in this milestone celebration. Because of these strong collaborations, we can be assured that our impact — both locally and globally — will continue to grow as, together, we let action define us and build a more peaceful world.
Grandview Extended Care
It looks like our Daytimers are going to be busy!! Several projects have been approved to enhance the home and its programming, including replacing the tile around the fireplace in the Rotary House of Friendship, building a larger cabinet, tuning the piano, and providing rental equipment support for Al’s band’s upcoming performances. The total of $3,800 of Casino funds will be used to support these initiatives. In addition, $2,000 will allow Grandview to hire performers directly. Stay tuned for more information on how you can volunteer to help with upcoming events.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Ann Orsini
March 14
Anne Mueller
March 15
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Annie
March 15
Anniversaries
Darryll White
Pat White
February 7
Join Date
Ingrid Neitsch
February 1, 2006
20 years
Alastair Sanderson
February 5, 1987
39 years
Gary Smith
February 24, 2025
1 year
Fred Kraft
February 27, 2011
15 years
Vicky Grabb
March 15, 2004
22 years
Mike Ryan
March 17, 1998
28 years
Support for Ukraine
Mobile Clinics
This fully-equipped medical facility on wheels provides life-saving care even in hard-to-reach locations during challenging situations such as war and natural disasters.
The Mobile Clinics project delivers fully equipped medical facilities on wheels to communities impacted by war and limited access to healthcare. Built in Ukraine, these mobile units are designed to operate in frontline and rural areas where medical infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed. Each clinic provides essential primary care, dental services, wound stabilization, and urgent medical support to both civilians and military personnel. By bringing life-saving treatment directly to those in need, the initiative is restoring access to healthcare and offering hope in some of the country’s most vulnerable regions.
At our recent board meeting, members discussed a potential District-wide initiative to further support Ukraine. While the Rotary Club of Edmonton West has already contributed over $40,000 since the beginning of the conflict, Fred encouraged the Club to consider additional support. Members learned that approximately €40,000 can fund a mobile medical and dental clinic in Ukraine, providing essential care to both soldiers and civilians. Although this amount is beyond the capacity of a single club, it could be achieved through collaboration across the District or in partnership with another District—an approach successfully undertaken by the Rotary Club of Oak Bay. It was proposed that our Club serve as host and sponsor for a District fundraiser. We will keep you updated on the progress of this initiative.
Upcoming Events
Volunteering at the Food Bank
Mar. 04, 2026 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Can YOU Join Us to Volunteer at the Edmonton Food Bank?
We invite you to join us for a rewarding volunteer opportunity at the Edmonton’s Food Bank.
Every day, the Food Bank supports individuals and families in our community who are facing food insecurity. This is a meaningful way to lend a helping hand, work alongside fellow volunteers, and make a direct impact in the lives of others.
Date: March 4, 2024 Time: 5:00 to 7:30 pm Location: Edmonton’s Food Bank, 11508 120 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5G 2Y2
Whether you have volunteered before or this is your first time, your support is truly appreciated. Together, we can help ensure that no one in our city goes hungry.
Join the members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West for our bi-weekly luncheon meeting at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre, 11420 - 117 Street NW, Edmonton. The menu includes a soup and sandwich lunch, with baked squares and fruit for dessert. The cost is $25 per person.
Our guest speaker will be Julie Strome.
Julie is Program Director for Pathways to Housing, a program of Radius Health (formerly the Boyle-Macaulay Health Centre).
Pathways to Housing (P2H) offers dedicated support for indivduals transitioning from houselessness. Pathways aims to provide a sustainable solution to houselessness by providing chronically homelss individuals with support needed to overcome systemic barriers, such as serious mental illness and addition.
P2H was added to Radius’s array of programs and services in 2009. Both the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton identified “Pathways to Housing” as a key strategy in their respective ’10 Year Plan to End Homelessness’, and Radius with its expertise and successful history of delivering Primary Health Care and Health Promotion programs for the previous 30 years to the target population, was the logical choice to implement the program in Edmonton. Pathways to Housing specifically targets chronically homeless persons who are disabled by serious mental illness and addiction, made even more complex with a multitude of health and social issues.
Julie is pleased to have the opportunity to tell members of our Club more about the program and discuss ways our Club and its members can support P2H's vital mission.
Join the members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West for our bi-weekly luncheon meeting at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre, 11420 - 117 Street NW, Edmonton. The menu includes a soup and sandwich lunch, with baked squares and fruit for dessert. The cost is $25 per person.
Volunteer for the "Home for Dinner" at Ronald McDonald House
Our group will be preparing and serving dinner for families staying at Ronald McDonald House, providing them with a warm meal and a small moment of comfort during a challenging time. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back, connect as a team, and make a direct impact in the lives of families with children receiving medical care.
📅 Date: Saturday April 4, 2026
⏰ Time: 3:00 pm ~ approx 6:30 pm
📍 Location: 7726 107 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 4K3
Number of Volunteers: 6
Whether you’re an experienced cook or simply willing to lend a hand, your support is greatly appreciated. Please let us know if you’re able to volunteer.
Together, we can help create a welcoming and caring environment for the families who need it most.
Join the members of the Rotary Club of Edmonton West for our bi-weekly luncheon meeting at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre, 11420 - 117 Street NW, Edmonton. The menu includes a soup and sandwich lunch, with baked squares and fruit for dessert. The cost is $25 per person.
I am pleased to share that we have arranged for a LifeBus to take our group to donate blood following our meeting on Monday, April 13.
The bus will pick us up at approximately 1:30 p.m. from Chateau Louis Conference Centre and return us to the same location. The entire experience will take about two hours. I have reserved 10 donation spots for our club.
Donating blood is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways we can help others. Every donation can save up to three lives, supporting patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, trauma care, and those with chronic illnesses. The need for blood is constant, and maintaining a strong blood supply depends entirely on generous volunteers.
As Rotarians, service is at the heart of what we do. This is an opportunity to make a direct and immediate impact in our community.
If you would like to reserve one of the 10 spots, please let me know as soon as possible and I will send you the link to register.
Our team will depart for Guatemala on March 12 for another impactful medical mission. This year, our group is larger than ever, allowing us to expand our reach and services to include eye clinics and surgeries, family medicine, pediatrics, chiropractic, and physiotherapy care. We are grateful to once again partner with our friends in Huehuetenango and reconnect with the communities we have come to know and care about. The mission will begin in Antigua at Cipecadi, a school dedicated to supporting children with disabilities, before continuing on to Huehuetenango and then to San Rafael for five full days of clinics. There is still plenty of preparation ahead — organizing supplies, packing equipment into duffle bags and suitcases, and ensuring everything is ready for transport — but the team is eager to arrive in Guatemala and get to work serving those who need care most.
Food Bank Warehouse
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