8 • ROTARY CLUB OF SUMMERSIDE • DAY, MONTH, 2016 JOURNALPIONEER.COM

People with a disability areoften thought about in terms ofwhat they cannot do, yet oftenpeople facing challenges haveamazing abilities and are trulyinspiring. For over 60 years, theRotary Club of Summerside hasbecome known across PrinceCounty for enhancing the qual-ity of life, self-esteem, and self-determination of children andadults living with physical andmental disabilities. The Rotary Club supports nu-

merous projects dealing with in-dividual requests for wheelchairs and wheelchair lifts inspecialized vans, including com-munity complexes such as theEvangeline Recreation Centre.Customized computers havealso been purchased for assis-tance with communication,wheelchair ramps for homes,

and Camp Gencheff to name buta few.Camp Gencheff provides a

wonderful opportunity for chil-dren, teens, and adults with spe-cial needs to develop physically

and emotionally through a safeand fun summer camping expe-rience. Campers have a chanceto be valued, learn new skills andexperiences, and meet newfriends. The Rotary Club promotes so-

cial inclusion of people with dis-abilities and the provincialEaster Seals campaign kicked offFebruary 29th where this year’sAmbassador was revealed, TyraMackeeman. Mackeeman is 10years old and attends VernonRiver School. She enjoys makingpeople laugh and smile, and hermotto for the 2016 Easter SealsCampaign is, “Go for it, andMake someone smile today!”Tyra lives with Neurofibro-

matosis. “This is a big word. I amnot good at saying it, so I call itNF1 for short. Even though theword is big, I am not letting NF1be a big trouble in my life,”quotes Tyra. Tyra will be mak-ing her way across Prince Ed-ward Island as this year’s EasterSeals Ambassador and she looksforward to meeting lots of newpeople.The Rotary Club of Charlotte-

town, the Rotary Club of Mon-tague, and the Rotary Club ofSummerside operate the EasterSeals campaign on P.E.I. Theydistribute funds in their respec-tive regions.

� SEE ABILITY IN DISABILITY

Rotary Accessibility Projectsand Easter Seals

In 1993, a 64-acre Park wascreated (through acquisitionand licensing of eight parcels ofland) as a dedication to the 50thAnniversary of the Rotary Clubof Summerside. An abandonedshale pit was restored, trailswere created, fencing installed,and more than 30,000 trees wereplanted. The Rotary Friendship Park is

now one of the most utilizedgreen spaces in the Summersidearea. The park is a fantastic ex-ample of a multi-use space thathas been carefully designed toaccommodate people of all agesand abilities. People can walk,hike, cycle, or even just sit andenjoy peaceful contemplation.The total capital cost at the timewas in excess of $750,000 pro-vided by generous donors.

Rotary Celebration Garden

Almost two decades later, theRotary Club established the Ro-tary Celebration Garden. Theidea grew from a desire to allow

family and friends, as well asbusinesses to recognise lovedones in the midst of this passivegreen space. More than $40,000was raised to help support thepark and other Rotary projects.A lush canopy opens into a

commemorative garden high-lighted by an array of stones inthe shape of the Rotary Wheel –the international symbol of theclub. Residents can purchase apart of the wheel to carve theirnames and memories in stone,with the proceeds funding Ro-tary programs worldwide.Inspiration for the centerpiece

was taken from the interpretivesigns placed carefully around thepark that tell the story about Ro-tary and its international proj-ects. Stones have been purchased

by people from around theworld, and serve as a continuingreminder of the value of dedicat-ing and protecting green spacefor the enjoyment of all withinthe community.

� GROWING MEMORIES

Rotary Friendship Park