The 10th annual Rotary Gala was held this past Saturday.   This year’s fund raising event hosted over 250 guests at St. Joseph’s Hall.   The Rotary Club of Thompson actively raises money every year to support local projects.  Some of those include the Thompson Skate Park, upgrades to Mystery Mountain Winter Park, A Port in the Storm, Rotary Park, scholarship for R.D. Parker graduates and more.   The Rotary Club, whose motto is service above self, is a world-wide organization that works to address concerns such as polio through their Polio Plus campaign, homelessness with their Shelter Boxes, and literacy.

Teaching moments can happen at any time in a school day.   Just ask the students at Deerwood School.  At last night’s School Board meeting a group of students described the clubs and activities offered and supervised by teachers during lunch hours and after school.    One of the groups is Peer Mediation which teaches students to solve conflicts and promotes anti-bullying messages.   Some of the other activities include Science Club, Games Club, Chess Club, Drum group, choir, and student council.   Many of the groups have been started at the request of students.   Students of all ages are encouraged to get involved and keep the school community thriving.

Put your heart into making a difference.    February is Heart Month in Manitoba, when volunteers go door-to-door to raise money and share the risks and warning signs of heart disease and stroke.   Since it's inception in 1957, the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Manitoba has given almost $55 million to research.   They are now recognized as a major authority on heart disease and stroke, and have helped cut premature deaths from both conditions by 50 per cent through their programs.   To help with the Thompson and Area campaign, contact Al Meston at 778-89-88.