Welcome to the Home of Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium, a sincere Thank You to our community for supporting Guelph's 25th Ribfest, August 25 to 27th, 2023.
Our 25th Annual Ribfest weekend saw almost 40,000 people come through the gates from Friday to Sunday. 517 Bikes were safely parked by Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT); thousands of pounds of BBQ ribs were consumed; over 150 classic cars participated in the 24th annual Gregg Mitchell Memorial Car Show and much more.
Congratulations to our Winner of 50/50 Draw was Kevin C of Guelph $4186
A big thank you to our sponsors, rib teams, food vendors, businesses, community partners and especially to a big thank you to our incredible volunteers.
During Ribfest 2023 over 220 friends, families, Rotarians and community members helped fill over 790 volunteer shifts, providing over 2376 volunteer hours to deliver another successful Ribfest to our community. We could not have had such a successful Ribfest without you! A special thanks to the following volunteer groups for their wonderful table and park clean up work:
Guelph Minor Hockey Association - U12 BB 2023-24
We are happy to provide these groups with a donation for their service and help them with their fundraising efforts. The net proceeds from Ribfest Guelph 2023 goes back into the local community as well as a few international projects. Just as important as the funds we raise is the incredible community engagement Ribfest brings to Guelph. We watched old friends meet each other, young children clap with glee at the midway, families congregating at the family tent, and people singing and dancing to the music.
Thank you and see you in 2024.
Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium
Ribfest Website: http://www.ribfestguelph.com
Ribfest Guelph https://www.facebook.com/ribfestguelph
Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium https://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofguelphtrillium/
Ribfest Guelph is open. We are excited to welcome everyone this weekend Aug 25-27. Check out the band times, vendor information and FAQs on https://www.ribfestguelph.com/ to plan your visit. See you soon.


Foundation Chair, Donna Buchan presents multiple PHF pins to Donna Graham and Bruce Folkard in recognition of their continuing financial support of The Rotary Foundation

From February 2-4, 2023, the Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium team of Donna Buchan, Clarence Haverson, Phil Allt and new member Dorothy Guerra curled in the 67th annual Rotary Can Am Bonspiel in Grimsby. They made it to the Final game of the A Event Consolation. Sixteen teams from Ontario and the US enjoyed curling and fellowship on and off the ice. Our team was one of the few that had all members from the same Rotary Club. Next year's event will be held in Rice Lake,Wisconsin.
The Home for Good Campaign is a bold call to action to solve homelessness in our community. Through the generosity of individual donors, corporate supporters, and government partners, the campaign will raise $5 million to build Homes for Good for people experiencing homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County.
The Guelph & Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination (Poverty Task Force) had the vision to bring this campaign to our community. The Task Force has a passionate motivation to eliminate poverty and homelessness. Inspired by the determination of the Poverty Task Force, the Guelph Community Foundation and the United Way of Guelph Wellington Dufferin have become partners on this project. Together, they are leading the fundraising for the Home for Good campaign.
Chris Willard, Executive Director of the Guelph Community Foundation and Glenna Banda, Executive Director of the United Way (Guelph/Wellington/Dufferin) will provide an overview of the campaign, an update on the progress to date, and suggest ways that we can help ensure that every person has a Home for Good.
Dominica McPherson, Director of the Poverty Task Force, will speak to how this campaign complements broader efforts to end homelessness in Guelph and Wellington County.

So excited Ribfest Guelph is in-person at Riverside Park, Guelph. Join us all weekend long - starting at noon on Friday Aug 26 to Sunday Aug 28. Join Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium tastiest fundraiser. There is no admission - donations are welcome. For more details visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/
A big thank you to our amazing sponsors - Linamar Corporation, Sleeman Beer, Battlefield Equipment Rentals, Guelph Today, Magic 106.1, Farms.com, RBC, Reid’s Heritage Homes, Ramar Contractors, Tacoma Engineers, Distinctive Trophies, Original Home Furniture, Palmer Audio Event Services, Hanlon Park Storage, Balnar Management, Home Realty Group, Town and Country Fencing, Scutt Signs, HIS Humansystems Inc., Switzer-Carty Transportation
The weekend is packed with great food, music, and fun for the whole family. Don't miss out!
10 + Live bands - Sandy MacDonald and Friends, Fresh Water Funk, Just Journey, The Killin Time Band, Bluesynergy. Keep the Faith, Symply Skynyrd, Blackwater Trio, Evermile, FOG Blues & Brass Bands, Practically Hip and More.
Fantastic rib teams – Billy Bones BBQ Canada, Silver Bullet BBQ, Boss Hogs BBQ, Camp 31 BBQ, Smokehouse Bandits, FatBoys BBQ, Bibbs Texas BBQ (new)
More Food from - Billy Bob's Bloomin` Onions, Ontario Corn Roasters & Pappy`s Soda, Heavenly Dreams Ice Cream, Alabama Lemonade, Festival Food Service, Taste the Tornado, Aberfritter Snack Company, Chao Bistro
Family Zone activities with Magical Midways Inc. , Guelph Grotto Climbing Gym, Guelph Storm Hockey Club, Guelph Curling Club, Face painting
Classic Cars – join us for the 23rd annual Gregg Mitchell Classic Car Show (Sat and Sun) - Day of registration - $10/vehicle and 8 Award Categories: Best GM, Ford, Chrysler, truck, Import, Paint Job, Hot Rod and Vintage
Don’t forget to plan your visit by looking at the FAQs – parking is limited – consider taking transit or bike (there is valet bike parking with GCAT); Bring a refillable water bottle, many vendors only accept cash – ATMs will be on site. For more information visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/faqs

The 24th annual Guelph Ribfest is back in-person at Riverside Park Guelph – August 26 to 28. This annual community fundraiser has raised over $1 million dollars to support local charities and has been voted Guelph’s best outdoor community event. With your support, we can make it even better in 2022. Spread the word with family, friends and colleagues and come out to volunteering.
Guelph Ribfest starts at Noon on Friday August 26 and runs until Sunday August 28 at 8pm. The weekend has lots of fun, food and entertainment for everyone. Here is what you can look forward to at this year -
- 10 + Bands including Sandy MacDonald and guests, Freshwater Funk, Just Journey, The Killin' Time Band, Blues Synergy, Tokyo Giants, Keep the Faith, Symply Skynyrd, Practically Hip, Group Therapy & The OCD Horns, Blackwater Trio, Evermile, FOG Blues & Brass Band
- 7 Rib Teams – Enjoy the delicious ribs from Billy Bones BBQ (Canada), Silver Bullet BBQ, Boss Hogs BBQ, Fat Boys BBQ, Camp 31, Smokehouse Bandits and Bibbs BBQ
- 23rd annual Gregg Mitchell Classic Car Show (Sat and Sun) - Day of registration - $10/vehicle and 8 Award Categories: Best GM, Ford, Chrysler, truck, Import, Paint Job, Hot Rod and Vintage
- Kids Zone with the Magical Midway and Guelph Book Mobile
- 50/50 Draw - we will be selling tickets all weekend for the final draw on Sunday
- Bike Valet Parking presented by Guelph Coalition for Active Transportation (GCAT)
Visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/ for the latest details.

Gardeners are always planting and planning, so Rotary is selling tulip bulbs to support End Polio Now and the Rotary Foundation. You can buy beautiful bulbs for your garden, a friend’s garden or even to be planted in Marianne’s Park Guelph this fall. A box of 25 bulbs is $25, including tax. Pick up will be in Marianne's Park on October 1, 2022
We have already sold more than 70% of our supplies so order your box before June 30. Email info@trilliumrotary.org to place your order today. #rotaryclubguelphtrillium #rotaryfoundation #EndPolioNow
We have already sold more than 70% of our supplies so order your box before June 30. Email info@trilliumrotary.org to place your order today. #rotaryclubguelphtrillium #rotaryfoundation #EndPolioNow
A big thank you to all our Rotarians and friends who contributed to the mother’s day gifts for @michaelhousepregnancy #serviceaboveself #rotary #michaelhouse #guelph

Together Rotarians transform and make a difference.

For over 100 years we have been involved in local Canadian communities. Looking for purpose in 2022 ? Join Rotary. Read what our partners have to say about us.
“In 2018, the four Rotary Clubs in Guelph jointly started a small pilot project to provide weekend food bags for local children in families struggling to make ends meet. Since then, the project has grown into the Food4Kids Guelph registered charity that now supports over 325 children every week at 27 elementary schools. In 2021, the Rotary Club of Guelph Wellington raised over $26,000 for Food4Kids Guelph through their annual Duck Race, covering the charity’s costs for a full month!" Terrie Jarvis, Food4Kids Guelph
"The local Rotary clubs are such great supporters of Guelph General Hospital and we are so grateful. We’ve partnered with the Rotary Clubs of Guelph South and Guelph Trillium to bring Tour de Guelph to our community. It began in 2014 and in addition to being a fabulous community-building event, we have raised more than $720,000, 75% for GGH and 25% for local Rotary projects. The Rotary Club of Guelph supported the creation of a Medial Education Centre to support medical students at GGH. Rotarians are among our staunchest supporters as volunteers and donors – there’s no question they make our community stronger.” Suzanne Bone, CEO, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital
The Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium knows that the holiday season can be a particularly difficult time for the homeless and those experiencing chronic poverty. With generous donations from Hunter Amenities from Burlington and with support from the members of the club, 100 care packages were prepared for the Sanguen Mobile Health Clinic
Thanks to the work of Sanguen and the Guelph Community Health Centre for working every day to support those less fortunate than ourselves.




The Guelph-Wellington Cluster, in support of Elora House, a charity that provides short-term housing and support to women exploited by sex trafficking, helping them to make healthy and informed decisions about their lives.
What’s involved with Community Care Kits? Think wedding registry, but this is a wish list from Elora House where they have selected items that they need for the women who stay at their shelter.
The donor selects what they want to purchase on behalf of Elora House and will receive a tax receipt for their donation. The items are then shipped directly to the agency. It’s easy and it’s seamless, and a concrete way to help.

Every year Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium has the honor of presenting community volunteers and builders with their Paul Harris Fellow Award. These recipients embody Rotary’s value of “service above self” by giving back to their communities through multiple avenues. Their kindness, compassion, wisdom and tenacity come through in their work, volunteerism and life. Here is a list of Paul Harris Fellow Award Recipients from this week.
Aaron Farrell: has tirelessly worked on humanitarian causes for over 25 years. His goal is always to help lift people and communities out of poverty. Aaron’s projects have led him (and encouraged others) to build Schools in underserved communities and support Women’s Shelters. His international projects have touched many countries including India, Kenya, Uganda and Mexico to name a few. Closer to home Aaron is involved in Socks 4 Souls that provides socks for the homeless.
Dana Nuttley leads, supports and has grown organizations such as Shelldale Family Gateway. Through his community activism, Dana to worked with numerous outreach programs and agencies in the Guelph and surrounding areas. Dana’s purpose and focus has been on elevating poverty, advocating for marginalized communities as well as helping community members impacted by homelessness and addition issues. Dana has also been a strong ally and advocate for supporting indigenous communities.
Jan Craig is a positive, kind and tenacious change agent and community builder. It’s not only about the projects Jan volunteers in but also how Jan works to make Guelph a better place. She has served on numerous boards - Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, Heart and Stroke, United Way and is a leader in social justice issues. Jan has also supported to newcomers to Guelph, helping them make appointments and navigate rebuilding their lives and opportunities in our community.
John Dennis is a cofounder of the Guelph Tool Library. The GTL provides a low-cost option for members to access over 1000+ tools for construction, cooking, and garden projects. Through the GTL, John has worked to launch projects such as: Repair Cafe Guelph, a free bimonthly fixing event; Good Call Program, that has repaired and returned over 100 cell phones to the community; and the Urban Sugaring Project. At the start of the pandemic, John started the Kitchen Bees at the Church of the Apostles. This volunteer run program will provide over 7500 meals this year to emergency food providers in Guelph. John’s creative energy continues this spring with the launch of “Free to Read”, a program to coincide with World Literacy Day April 23, 2022. The program will collect 1000 comic books, graphic novels and paperbacks for local Provincial Correctional Institutes literacy programs.
Linda Busuttil’s family experience as immigrants to Canada has led to a lifelong support of newcomers to the Guelph area. She helps give new arrivals a voice while they navigate various health and education systems. Linda also helps to address inequality, inclusion and access issues within her community by volunteering with the West Village Coop’s after school, youth and food support programs. She also fits into her packed schedule Adopt A Family, toy collection, food drives with schools and neighbours, her food support program & pilot hub as well as work with the Guelph Food Bank.
Ray Stultz helps local entrepreneurs at BDC and volunteers extensively in our community. Ray is a past volunteer with the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, KidsAbility and Victim Services Wellington. As an avid volleyball player Ray volunteered as a coach and treasurer for many years with the Guelph Grizzlies Volleyball Club. Currently Ray is focusing on helping youth community members struggling with mental health issues by volunteering with The Grove Hubs – Youth Wellness. Ray was also just appointed to the board of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce.
Shirley Hunt is an advocate for the environment and the health benefits that come from spending time in nature. Seeing the impact of our sedentary, indoor lives on community members of all ages, Shirley collaborated with local photographers, artists and educators to develop a school-based arts program called Focus on Nature to inspire young people to connect with nature through digital photography. Shirley was also the co-founder, first Executive Director, and Chair of an amazing non-profit charitable organization called Up and Running Guelph, which works to improve the mental health and well-being of women through inclusive, nature-based walking and running programs.
Stephanie Riley is a community driver who regularly raises funds for the Canadian Cancer Society through fundraisers such as Chairing the Hope AND the City Gala. She is also one of the past Co-Chairs for the Royal LePage Royal City National Garage Sale for Shelter Foundation. During covid, Stephanie collected hygiene kits for the local Shelter and Chemo Care Kits for the Guelph General Hospital that her 9-year-old son helped to assemble. Stephanie personifies our Club’s mantra of a “mile wide and inch deep” as she can be counted on to participate in holiday adopt-a-family hampers, food drives and many other community initiatives.
Sya Van Geest is an incredibly active volunteer at Dublin Street United Church. She supports many of her churches amazing activities such as their work with the LGBTQ + communities, climate change committee and the annual Dublin’s Christmas Dinner. In addition to these many activities, Sya supports the Guelph GoGo Grandmothers for Africa and is an active member/volunteer with the Guelph Storyteller’s Guild and Guelph Chamber Choir.
Mary Anne Allain regularly and quietly makes a difference in her community. Mary Anne volunteers with Community of Hearts Box of Hearts Program. Her work supports adults with developmental exceptionalities to achieve the level of independence they desire. The Box of Hearts program is a social enterprise that brings adults together to develop job training skills by baking and packaging dog cookies as well as chocolate covered licorice to sell in the community. In addition to this work, Mary Anne is a regular volunteers at Food 4 Kids Guelph and the Guelph Clothing Closet where she is a valuable resource in their programming.
All of our recipients make the world and their communities a better and kinder place. Congratulations to all of Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Paul Harris Fellow Award Recipients – we are so grateful to have such incredible community leaders.

Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium has joined an exciting fundraising initiative – a raffle called “Catch the Ace.” This weekly raffle - https://rotaryraffle.online/guelph-trillium/ gives everyone a chance to support two amazing local charities:
Food 4 Kids (Guelph) whose mission is to close the weekend gap by providing food for children whose families are struggling to make ends meet.
Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre whose mission is to develop the full potential of children and adults with special needs through therapy education, horse riding, recreation and life skills program.
Buy your tickets Now and make sure you select Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium
$20 for 80 entries
$10 for 20 entries
$5 for 3 entries
Play weekly for a chance to win the Jackpot. https://rotaryraffle.online/guelph-trillium/
Weekly ticket sales are split into three portions
- 20% to each weekly draw winner
- 30% to the Progressive Catch the Ace Jackpot – to the weekly winner if the card number chosen reveals the “Ace of Spades”.
- 50% (less nominal administrative costs) will go to the charities
Please share this link widely with friends, families, colleagues, neighbours and the community so we can raise money for Food 4 Kids (Guelph) and Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre
The more you play the more you and our charities have a chance of winning! It takes just a minute to change the lives of so many deserving families.

Always one of the first to volunteer for a community service project or fundraiser, Bruce contributes his time and energies for the betterment of our community.
Congratulations, Bruce! Well deserved recognition.
Click HERE to read the People and Information Network Citation about Bruce.

Although World Polio Day was officially on Sunday our club will be marking the occasion Wednesday morning, October 27th, by raising the flag at City Hall.
Enjoy this short video and perhaps read a few of the included resources.
Foundation Committee: Patsy, Darlene, Jacqueline, Donna B, John B, Phil A, Richard

Each October 24th is WORLD POLIO DAY as international health experts and partners share the world's progress on the road to polio eradication. Around the globe, clubs find ways of promoting Rotary's remarkable End Polio campaign.
This year in Guelph, the Rotaract Club of Guelph members fulfilled a goal of every University of Guelph student ... to paint the cannon, at least once!
Under cover of darkness on Saturday night, October 23, the Rotaractors painted "Old Jeremiah" purple with gold wheels. They spray-painted "World Polio Day 2021" on one side, and "Rotaract Club" on the other.
The cannon is a British naval gun, rumoured to have been used in the War of 1812, and it stands in Branion Plaza across from the University Centre. It is a long-standing Guelph tradition for students to paint the cannon with messages in order to promote events and organizations.
Well done, Rotaractors! We are so proud of you.

Got
a hankering for a rack of ribs? Drive Thru Guelph Ribfest is here – Aug 27 to 29

We are BACK! Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Ribfest is returning as a drive-thru experience, for this year due to Covid, the weekend of Friday August 27th to Sunday August 29th at Centennial High School Parking Lot, 289 College Ave. W., Guelph.
For over 22 years our Club has been bringing together Ribs, Rhythm & Rotary - raising more than $1 million to support local and international charities. This year we are excited to be joined by our amazing Ribbers - Billy Bones BBQ Canada from Port Colborne with their mouth-watering sauces; the Silver Bullet BBQ team from Guelph will have some finger licking good BBQ and; the Boss Hogs BBQ team from London will bring their smokin’ menu for the ultimate barbeque experience.
No tickets necessary – drive-thru all weekend long! Cars only, no foot traffic to ensure everyone’s safety. Menus are online and the grills are warming up for you so visit https://www.ribfestguelph.com/ to plan your order and see more details.
Thank you to our generous sponsors Linamar Corporation, Sleeman Beer, Magic 106.1, Tacoma Engineers, RBC, , Hanlon Park Storage, Original Home Furniture, Farms.com,, Guelph Today.com, Balnar Management, Home Group Realty, Ramar Contactors & Jaral Holdings, Miller Thomson LLP, HSI Humansystems Incorporated, BDO Canada, Sutherland Insurance, Battlefield Equipment Rentals, Scutt Signs and Palmer Audio for helping us organize a safe and socially distanced event.
Finish up the summer with some good old-fashioned BBQ. We look forward to seeing you, your family, friends, and neighbours at Guelph Ribfest. Thank you for coming together to raise funds that support local charities.

When we hear the words “human trafficking,” we tend to think that this is something that happens in big cities. Sadly this is not true, and with the 401 highway, this crime is big business right here in our community.
Spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Guelph South, Rotary members have come together to tackle this issue, starting with an awareness campaign.
On the 4th Tuesday of every month, starting in July, you will hear about different aspects of human trafficking – from the organizations that work to create increased awareness to survivors themselves who will share their stories.
We are starting on July 27 with Bob Burnside and Sherri Moir who are with Cry Not, a voluntary organization based in Orangeville whose mandate is to create awareness of threat, tactics, symptoms and resulting devastating personal effects of Human Trafficking to the greater Dufferin Caledon communities.
Future dates are August 24, September 28, October 26, November 30. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us. This session will be online and free. To register, go to https://bit.ly/3xXKx7S

Update May 25,2021
RAJBIR S MANN
DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICE D7080
Thank you to all Rotarians, Rotary clubs in our district and Zone 28 and 32 and to community donors for an amazing response to the call for help, to help mitigate this unprecedented humanitarian tragedy in India. Thank you for joining together and responding to the call from the Rotary India action task force and in helping to make a difference and potentially save many lives.
Our efforts have been incredible. I have received many (MANY!!) calls, email enquiries, text messages from individual Rotarians, clubs and others from our district, community and other districts and clubs in our zone. I have put other districts directly in touch with PDG Neil McBeth in Essex. Others from Saskatchewan, B.C. and Alberta insist on mailing cheques directly to me.
The total including cheques received and pledges so far is $109,155.00 Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium contributed $3,000 US
Service Above Self
Guelph, ON
Canada