The Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cornwall, was chartered January 17, 1989; the celebration took place on April 22, 1989. The charter president was Brian Loucks.
This marked the first time a Rotary Club in District 7040 was chartered with female members (i.e., May Brown, Susan Carter and Bette Miller). In Canada, women were officially admitted to Rotary membership on January 1, 1989.
Establishment of a second Rotary Club in Cornwall that met for breakfast provided further opportunities for business and professional men and women to serve their community and enjoy the fellowship of like-minded citizens.
Rotarians are proud of the varied opportunities to serve humanity within their immediate community and farther afield. Over the years members of Cornwall Sunrise have participated in hands-on activities and made financial contributions to a variety of organizations that share goals which are in harmony with Rotary’s philosophy.
Within the Cornwall community, the Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise has led or been a substantial partner in many local improvements.
Within the Cornwall community, the Rotary Club of Cornwall Sunrise has led or been a substantial partner in many local improvements.
- The much used playground facility in Lamoureux Park is the result of a successful partnership with the Cornwall Kinettes and the City of Cornwall.
- Most recently, the Rotary Outdoor Gym in Lamoureux Park is the result of a substantial investment of time and funds by both Cornwall Rotary clubs .
- The Aquatic Centre, the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation, the Cornwall Hospice, the Benson Centre, Tri-County Literacy, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and the Cornwall Arts and Culture Centre have all been recipients of substantial financial support.
- The Children’s Christmas Fund receives financial and hands-on support annually.
- The Seniors’ Day-Away program (pre Covid); Blood Donor Clinics; Read-to-Ride; Computer Aided Literacy; Agape Centre; Cornwall Comfort Quilts and other local services and programs have benefited over the years
- Support of mental health programs is recognized as extremely important for the wellness of our community.
Our philosophy that youth are the future is reflected in the assortment of opportunities provided for young people.
- “Adventures in the Environment”, in partnership with the St. Lawrence River Institute, is a source of pride. This program is an intense one week immersion for senior high school students who are considering a career in environmental science.
- Opportunities to for local young people to participate in other subject specific Adventures are a part of our activities to support and challenge youth
- Our Dictionaries 4 Life project provides a pictorial dictionary to all grade 3 students at schools that host an EarlyAct Club.
- For several years, in partnership with Staples, funds to assist local schools were generated through the Back-to-School program
- Interact and EarlyAct clubs at Char-Lan High School and Eamer’s Corners and Avonmore Elementary Schools are important members of our current Rotary family. Students have opportunities to develop their leadership skills and serve their communities. We regret the closure of the Interact clubs at Rothwell-Osnabruck School (est.1995); General Vanier Interact (est.1987) closed in 2008 with the school closure and our East Front Elementary School EarlyAct (school closed 2016) and Morrisburg Elementary School EarlyAct club.
- For more than 25 years, Academic Year and Short Term youth exchanges have been made available through club sponsorship and with the help of Rotarians and friends of Rotary who have opened their homes to host international students.
- Group Study Exchanges for non-Rotarian young business and professional people to study their vocations abroad have been replaced by Friendship Exchanges and Vocational Service Teams.
- Fellowships directed toward international Peace and Conflict Resolution and Global scholarships that provide opportunities for growth and the development of world understanding. Cornwall residents have been recipients of each of these highly competitive opportunities.
Our International humanitarian efforts are varied and include
- our commitment to Rotary’s worldwide drive to eradicate polio.. "End Polio Now".
- Until its closure, we provided ongoing support of the endeavors of CanSEE, a local NGO dedicated to performing cataract surgeries in the developing world.
- We continue to provide assistance to alleviate poverty, improve health and promote literacy through our various projects and partnerships in Ghana, Uganda, El Salvador and Colombia as well as a number of smaller projects.
- We have undertaken a major program in Ghana to provide education, training and treatment for such neglected tropical diseases as Buruli ulcer, Yaws disease, Leprosy and others. Our work with this project has been recognized by the World Health Organization as important and making a significant impact.
- The work in Ghana is enhanced by shipments of containers of reclaimed medical equipment and the establishment of rural health posts and libraries.
The service we provide both locally and internationally is made possible by the support of our community and membership.
Our fundraising endeavors that include the sale of ‘Mums at Thanksgiving’; an annual Trivia Night in addition to the 50/50 draw at hockey games; sponsorship of bingo as well as several smaller events all play a significant role, as do our partnerships within the community and beyond.