Ross Gowan and Mary Mercato of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise believe in giving back. Gowan, a member for over 25 years, joined to serve the community and build connections. Mercato, who joined eight years ago after retiring, felt it was time to give back to the place where she raised her family.
Gowan is especially proud of helping develop the Norfolk Sunrise Trail, which connects Simcoe to the Trans-Canada Trail. The project transformed a once-wild area into a well-used community path. Mercato highlights Rotary’s fundraising efforts, such as supporting the local hospital, hospice, and programs like Coats for Kids, which recently collected 1,500 coats for families in need.
Both agree that service clubs are more vital than ever as government funding declines. They encourage others to join, emphasizing the rewarding experience of working with energetic, committed people. Rotary, they say, is about making a difference—one project at a time.
To hear more from Ross and Mary, click below.