Local Literacy Projects – Local literacy is a major thrust in Rotary. In order to help this cause, our club has donated $2,500 a year for the many years to local public schools in our area to spend in diversified ways to benefit this cause. Also each year the club donates dictionaries to grade 3 classes.

· Grand Bend Public School – $27,000 was given to the Grand Bend Public School to buy such things as Smartboards and new Playground facilities

· High School and Public Schools Awards – Each year our club presents “Service Above Self” awards to chosen students at local High Schools (South Huron and North Middlesex) and the Grand Bend Public School

· Grand Bend Soccer Pavilion – $10,000 donation

· Student Exchange Program – As part of the Rotary International program our club has accepted foreign exchange high school students from New Zealand, France, Mexico and Thailand for a year of study outside their home countries. In addition, we have sent local students to Japan and Thailand.

· Citizenship Training – Our club normally participates in the “Adventures in Citizenship” program where over 200 outstanding senior high school students from across Canada spend four days in our National Capital in a program designed to develop their potential as leaders in their communities and in Canadian society.

· Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders – We normally invites area teens to apply for an outstanding leadership development opportunity which takes place at the University of Western Ontario in London in the spring. Most years, we select at least one student applicant from area secondary schools to join other students from Southwest Ontario and Eastern Michigan in a program that explores leadership styles and challenges participants to examine how they might lead others effectively. This program encourages students’ thoughts about leadership and their attitudes toward the world around them. Students have the opportunity to share their views with other participants.