The following has been submitted by the Rotary Club of Gravenhurst:
“To quote our Rotarian friend, Bryan Graham, “it’s a great day to be a Rotarian! “
Our weekly meeting began with recognizing three Gravenhurst High School students as “student of the month” for the last three months.
Vasish Sangu was nominated and recognized for being very hard-working and positive and available when needed by others while participating in all sports.
Markeyon Smith shows a strong commitment to academics and is appreciated for being respectful and kind. Chloe Cubitt is in her last year and will be off to Georgian college next year. She had begun her own jewellery collection and won a small business pitch award.

Next, Rotarian John Cooper introduced and set the stage for our First Responders Recognition event. Twice a year we ask each of the three first responder agencies to nominate someone who has gone above and beyond their role and deserves recognition. $150 donations are made to the charity of their choice.
Our local OPP and Paramedic departments both decided that not one individual could be recognized as this has been such an exceptional year with extreme challenges, including two states of emergency within four months of each other. Paramedic Deputy Chief Stuart McKinnon was unable to attend, but had requested the donation in the paramedic name go to the Paramedic Monument fund. Rotarian, Harold Coffin, a retired OPP officer accepted the cheque on behalf of the paramedics.
OPP Inspector Wade Beebe and Staff Sergeant Derek Oates attended. Inspector Beebe recounted the dire circumstances of this past winter. He highlighted how the three agencies worked so well together starting with the first state of emergency declared on December 1. Inspector Beebe told us of several instances of emergency responses, including a jack knifed tractor trailer, which two heavy tow trucks broke down in their attempts to rescue. Highway closures, power outages, and fuel shortages presented challenges for all including our first responders! Some OPP officers slept in their personal vehicle overnight to be available the following day! Even livestock was stranded in trailers on the highway, but received emergency supplies.
The OPP chose Mind-Aid as their charity. (Photo above)
Fire Chief, Jared Cayley nominated Deputy Chief, Todd Clapp for the First Responders Recognition. Deputy Chief Clapp received a special Rotary challenge coin and chose the OSPCA as his charity to receive the $150 award. (Main Photo)
Chief Cayley reinforced how they along with local OPP and Paramedics are really a three way team who help each other. He highlighted the special qualities of Deputy Chief Clapp which have enabled him and the entire fire department to be most effective in the states of emergency this winter. Deputy Chief Clapp orchestrates the players and represents our area with professionalism and calm! Chief Cayley thanked Deputy Chief Clapp for especially keeping HIM calm and focused. DC Clapp has many responsibilities, including community management coordinator, “corralling” senior staff, stakeholders, and ministries, for example. He was applauded for always meeting and exceeding the criteria of his roles.
The Rotary Club of Gravenhurst wants to thank all of our first responders for always rising to the challenges to the best of their ability, with this winter being “one for the record books”!”