Peterborough Blogs
Rotary Swimathon Founder Carl Oake Passes Away Ahead of 39th Annual Fundraiser Launch
/Ahead of the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s 39th Rotary Swimathon launch scheduled for Feb. 28 at the YMCA of Central East Ontario, founder Carl Oake has passed away at 79 years old on Thursday, announced at the Baker Tilly KDN on Monday morning.
Also known as the Carl Oake Rotary Swim, the fundraising event supports Easter Seals and Rotary projects, raising over $1.4 million since its inception. A goal of $50,000 has been set for fundraising efforts towards Rotary projects which is being collected until March 28.
The event encourages groups, organizations and individuals to swim at the lanes at the YMCA to raise funds. Introduced last year are the ‘Cannonball’ and ‘Floating Catwalk’ Challenge. They were added to allow those who cannot swim or provide an alternate activity to raise money for teams or individuals.
His daughter and event organizer, Vanessa Oake Hogan says that this event will always continue the legacy left by her father.
“We never had any intention of stopping and especially now, we always knew it was important to the community,” she explained.
Over the weekend, several notable Peterborough figures, organizations and friends and family of the Oakes expressed their condolences of Carl’s passing on social media. The outreach was reassuring for the Oake family knowing Carl’s impact on the community.
“But the last couple of days, the outreach has been incredible and I know that's what people know him for primarily,” said Vanessa. “It really helps in dealing with this loss to know that he touched so many lives and was recognized and appreciated for that. It helps us cope with this difficult loss.”
Despite Carl’s passing, it will not deter from the event in late February if at all creates an opposite effect, says Vanessa.
“I just think we have a huge boost of energy behind the event this year and renewed sense of importance,” she explained. “Hopefully the community rallies and joins us to honour dad with the end goal of helping the community.”
The public is encouraged to participate in the events as an individual or a team and can register online. Those registered will be assigned a fundraising page. The public can also donate directly via the website and receive an instant tax receipt.
Anyone can donate at any time online at the Rotary’s website.
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Rotary Club of Peterborough Rename 'Breakfast Cup' To Honour Dedicated Program Volunteer; $6,000 Donation to Five Counties From Golf Fundraiser
/The Rotary Club of Peterborough has renamed its friendly competition of its morning meal program the ‘Breakfast Cup’ to the ’Koeslag Cup’ to honour one of its late dedicated volunteers, Peter Koeslag, announced on Monday morning.
The announcement was made at the Northminster United Church during a club’s meeting, including a $9,000 donation to Five Counties Children’s Centre. The proceeds were raised from the Club’s ‘Fore For Kids’ golf tournament held on Sept. 26 at Bellmere Winds Golf Resort in Keene.
The Koeslag Cup was a Prince of Wales school breakfast program that started in 1994 with Rotarians Isadore Black and Dr. Garry Humphries. Rotarians and local volunteers would be in teams to prepare delicious and nutritious meals daily for Prince of Wales Students.
Koeslag has been known to make a challenge among the volunteers to see which group could create the most exciting breakfast menus for kids during the last weeks of school before the Christmas holidays and summer break.
“He enjoyed seeing the smile on people's faces, he didn't do it for money, he just did it because he loved doing that,” said Paul Koeslag, Peter’s son. “Part of it was because when he was younger, he didn't have those opportunities. Dad just loved helping people.”
He created a special trophy that would be awarded twice yearly to the winning team, as judged by students and school staff.
“Peter was very active in the school program,” explained Kein Seim, Rotary president. “Between him and a couple other ones that have been it for 30 years, they've been instrumental in bringing it along. From pretty meagre beginnings to a full kitchen and full breakfasts, Peter himself is very handy. If we needed something, he would make it.”
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Rotary Club of Peterborough Seeking Nominations For Paul Harris Fellowship
/The Rotary Club of Peterborough is seeking nominations for its prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Recognition in honour of the founder of Rotary International in 1905.
According to Rotary, the Fellowship recognizes local individuals for their leadership and service contributions within our community, the surrounding area and the world at large. It is considered the highest honour Rotarians can give.
Nominations in the following categories can be completed online with the deadline on Friday.
Categories include:
Community Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant leadership contribution to the advancement and betterment of the Peterborough Community.
International Service: To recognize an individual who makes a significant contribution toward to betterment of the communities in other parts of the world, and/or leadership toward work peace and understanding.
Vocational Service: To recognize an individual who uses their vocational skills consistent wit Rotary ideals toward community and/or international matters.
Youth Services: To recognize an individual who makes significant contributions toward to youth (programs, services and/or related matters).
Environmental Service: To recognize an individual who supports activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of our environment.
Club Service: To recognize a Peterborough Rotary Club member for their outstanding service and dedication.