Stories

Rotary Club of Niagara Falls Members Honoured at the 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards

The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls is proud to celebrate a remarkable moment in our club’s history. At this year’s 2025 Volunteer Recognition Awards, hosted by the City of Niagara Falls, three of our outstanding members were honoured for their exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to our community.

🎉 Our 2025 Award Recipients

Donna Dagleish
Robb McLeod
Dr. June Mergl

Each of these members represents the very best of Rotary values-compassion, integrity, and a commitment to making Niagara Falls a stronger, kinder, and more connected community. Their contributions span years of involvement in youth programs, community fundraising, hands-on volunteer initiatives, and unwavering support for those in need.

#1 Club in the District for donations to the Rotary Foundation

We were very pleased to have received a banner from our District Foundation conference last week. It was given to us as recognition for being the #1 Club in the District in donations per capita to the Foundation.

In total, we had donated during our 2024-25 Rotary year $71676, of which just over $50,000 went to the Annual Fund or $1,269 per member. That's huge! The #2 Club was just over $300 per capita.

Supporting Growth and Sustainability in Our Community 🌱

Our Club proudly donated $3,000 to GROW, thanks to our ongoing Bingo fundraising initiatives.

GROW’s “GROW on the Go” mobile market truck and community programs are helping bring fresh, affordable food to residents across Niagara — creating long-term impact for families and individuals in need. 💚

Together, we’re growing a healthier, more sustainable community! 🌾

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Building Bridges, Inspiring Change – UNF Rotaract Club Leads with Purpose

At our Oct 28 meeting, we welcomed the passionate members of the University of Niagara Falls Rotaract Club — young leaders driving real change in our community!

Their Polio Fund Drive raised vital support for the #EndPolioNow campaign, and our Rotary Club proudly matched their funds to double the difference. 🙌

We also shared a beautiful exchange of Rotary flags — one from Turkey 🇹🇷 and one from Niagara Falls 🇨🇦 — a symbol of connection, friendship, and shared purpose.

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Rotarian Bert Schertzing

On Monday August 19th, The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls lost a dedicated and special Rotary Member, Bert Schertzing, at the age of 74. Bert, you will be missed!

Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Scholarship

On July 7th , 2024, the Rotary Club of Niagara Falls, Ontario, presented student Shredeev Patel with the Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $5,000CDN.

Little Lending Library

The Little Lending Library was a District initiative in 2021 in which many participated. We are happy to report that the new unit has been installed!

Paul Harris 2024

The 2024 Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Evening was fantastic!! The Rotary Club honoured community members who make this City and this world a better place.

Trivia Night

Trivia Night this year was a huge success!!

We had 400 people attend, including our District Governor Scott Marcin and DG elect Dave Alexander. It was a night full of fun, food and prizes for all!

Lunch speaker from GROW

At our meeting a few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of hosting our speaker Lindsay Kahn from GROW, a Community Food Literacy Centre in Niagara Falls.

Grand Opening of Rotary Storywalk Trail

The Grand Opening took place in Carolyn Park with the planting of 20 new native trees throughout the area. Rotary Storywalk Pathway features 40 board panels on the sides of the Millennium Trail, displaying children's book with enlarged storybook pages. Children & families in the community can follow these stories along their walk!

Rotary House Donation

One of our Club's accomplishments this year was from our Foundation, donating $50,000 to the Rotary House!

Torch Relay

On June 26, one leg of the Canada Games Torch Relay took place in Niagara Falls. There were about 150 participants in the relay, some of whom were runners, some supporters and 28 Rotarians and partners from both the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Falls Sunrise clubs.

Dr. Ron Mergl Scholarship honors a man of Service Above Self

"Extraordinary’ legacy: Scholarship honours vet and humanitarian Dr. Ron Mergl

Inoculating hyenas in Africa against rabies, combating polio in slums of India among lifetime of helping others.

Dr. Ron Mergl Memorial Scholarship

This Tuition scholarship of up to C$5000.00 will be presented to one Niagara Falls student, who is pursuing a full time university science, agricultural, animal, pre-vet or pre-med program. Applicants should show moderate to high academic achievement and show evidence of "Service Above Self" through giving back in a volunteer role to the local and/or global community. Recipients will be selected by a Scholarship Selection Committee. In order to be eligible for this scholarship, please see the requirements listed below.

Flag Raising Ceremony

On September 14^th Rotarians attended a flag raising ceremony at Niagara Falls City Hall. A Rotary flag, donated by the Jaluvka family, was raised in honour of the 100^th Anniversary. That evening at the City Council meeting, Rotarian Jan gave a presentation on the history of Rotary and all the amazing things the Club has done over the last several years, including the Club’s local and international contributions

Rotary Clock

The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls is excited to announce the installation of the beautiful clock that was recently installed on the Niagara Falls Parkway. The Clock is to recognize the Club’s 100^th Anniversary this year and is 16 feet tall, with a four-faced head on top.

GROW Niagara

The Rotary Club of Niagara Falls was honoured to present a $3,000 donation to the GROW Community Food Literacy Centre, located in downtown Niagara Falls, Ontario. In the photo is Past President Barb Greenwood, Market Manager Michael Jodoin, and Indigenous Outreach Manager Roxanne Molyneaux.