A leader in the world of Rotary

Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing sustainable projects.

Rotary is made up of three parts – the more than 35,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation.

Together, these three elements work to make lasting change in our local communities and around the world.

David Penney is the director responsible for the Rotary Foundation for the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood.

In telling the history of the Rotary Foundation, David states, “At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment ‘for the purpose of doing good in the world.’ That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, set in motion a powerful force that has transformed millions of lives around the globe.”

David indicates that local Rotarians donate to the Rotary Foundation because it’s a simple way to achieve philanthropic goals – whether it’s supporting clean water, the eradication of polio, or a particular global grant.

David understands philanthropy. He gives back to his community in many ways – not just financially.

Having retired in 2013 from General Motors of Canada where he was general director of taxes and customs, and assistant secretary, David has never slowed down. He serves on the community advisory panel for Lakeridge Health Clarington, and he is currently president of two local community organizations – Bowmanville Men’s Canadian Club and Bowmanville Older Adult Association.

His philosophy of giving back to the community lines up perfectly with the mission of the Rotary Foundation – to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

In explaining how the Rotary grant system works, David says, “In the last few years, the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood has received three different grants in partnership with other clubs in Durham Region and around the globe.”

“District grants have supported the expansion of the Kids’ Safety Village of Durham Region, and a grant has been secured for the 2020 Kids Against Hunger project. In 2018-19, we received a global grant for our project to improve conditions at a school in India,” he continues.

Any gift can be donated to a specific fund – End Polio Now, an individual global grant, or one of Rotary’s six areas of focus, peace and conflict prevention and resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.

David Penney, through his commitment and dedication to his community, shows us what “people of action” can do when they work together.

November is Foundation Month – anyone can donate to the Rotary Foundation, and receive a charitable tax receipt.

To share the wealth, visit www.rotary.org/en/donate

Better yet, come out to a club meeting, and join David and the members of the Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood. The club meets every Tuesday evening at the Oshawa Golf and Curling Club.

Contact Lennnis Trotter for more information at 905-985-0963.