Rotary Roundup: International Service Project in Quebec

St. Nicholas, Quebec – Volunteers from the Mount Desert Island (Bar Harbor) Rotary Club joined members of the Rotary Club of Quebec City for an international service project here in May. Rotarians and family members from both clubs worked together to spruce up the grounds of the Grand Village, a summer camp for mentally and physically handicapped children and adults founded by the Quebec club.

The trip was organized by MDI Rotarian Michael Bonsey, who learned about the Grand Village through his friendship with Guy Bissonette, a member of the Quebec City club. The two men met at a Rotary training conference in 2003. Each served as president of their respective clubs in 2004-05 and they continue to keep in touch.

“Through Rotary, Guy and I forged a cross-border friendship that would not

have otherwise developed,” said Mr. Bonsey.  “This work project was an exciting opportunity to leverage that friendship and provide others a chance to build personal relationships across our borders.” 

Accompanying him on the trip were, his daughter, Kendra Bonsey; Rotarian Scott Hammond and his wife, Deb; Rotarian James Collier and his wife, Lynda Millar; and Rotarian Becky Buyers-Basso. The work crew group included Yves Fecteau, the District Governor-Elect, and his wife, Claire.

MDI and Quebec City Rotarians communicated with each other in French and English. Working together, they painted doors, stained decks, cut and raked grass, weeded gardens and repaired roads and walkways at the camp.

Built on a strip of farmland along the south shore of the Saint Lawrence River, the Grand Village provides a peaceful and pastoral setting for campers and the facilities and staff necessary to care for people who have severe handicaps. The Quebec club supports the camp financially and with volunteer labor.

“By joining with Quebecois Rotarians from our Rotary District in sprucing up the Grand Village, we certainly accomplished this goal, and we hope to make this an annual international project for our club,” said Mr. Bonsey.

When not working, the Rotarians enjoyed each others’ company over meals and explored the historic district of Quebec City and surrounding areas.

Club Receives Rotary Awards

At the recent Rotary District 7790 Conference in Bar Harbor, MDI Rotary was one of a few clubs in the district that received both the District Governor’s Award the Presidential Citation. These honors are awarded based on criteria including community and international service, youth involvement and membership growth.

The Bar Harbor (MDI) Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at Atlantic Oakes, 119 Eden St., Bar Harbor. The club also holds Sunrise breakfast meetings each Thursday at 7 a.m. at Tapley’s, 135 Main St., Bar Harbor. For information, visit the club web site at www.mdirotary.org.