Interact Club

Interact Club

Interact is the most junior division of Rotary International. It is a service club for high school pupils. Consisting of young people who believe in helping others and who hold to the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self", this club is a chartered organization that must successfully carry out at least one community and one international project each year to retain its charter.

The Windsor Regional Interact Club was formed in November 1969, under the leadership of Rotarian Bob Delong. It received its charter from Rotary International and its parent Rotary Club of Windsor on December 8, 1969. The first Executive Members were: President, Linda Horne; Vice-President, Grant Boyd; Secretary, Sheena Bell; and Treasurer, Rusty Yeaton. In addition to regular Executive Members, Directors are also appointed to supervise community and international projects.

In its first year of operation, hockey equipment and instruction were provided to about 30 boys at the Windsor arena. In the spring, a follow-up sports program was run in the Windsor Community Centre and Club members helped the Senior Club at their annual Rotary Auction. The Club also began corresponding with foreign clubs to receive ideas on programming and to extend the Interact idea. Club members and Rotarians held their first joint dinner at the Windsor Elms.

In 1970-1971, under Mark Crossman's direction, the Club held its first Rock-A-Thon to raise funds - the kindness of Avonian Motors Limited. Again, volunteers helped on the minor hockey scene and donations of equipment were made. It was in this year too that W.R.H.S. Interact began hot dog sales at school lunch to raise funds - an idea that has since been profitably used by other school organizations. Also, a donation of $150.00 was made to Kings Meadows. As an international project, 30 cartons of school books were sent overseas to needy pupils in other countries. Members again assisted at the annual Rotary Radio Auction.

The 1971 - 1972 Interact Year was also a success under the leadership of Fred Babineau as Club President. The Club made a great contribution to the Hants County Branch of the Canadian Association for the Mentally Retarded by selling Christmas Cards and Flowers of Hope; and by making cash donations from money raised at the Rock-A-Thon and other projects to the new Activity Centre at Curry's Corner. School books were again sent overseas, this time to needy pupils in Liberia. W.R.H.S. Interacters again helped at the Radio Auction and enjoyed a dinner with Rotarians of the parent Rotary Club of Windsor.

Darlene Frank was President from 1972 - 1973 and led the Club through some new activities. Following another successful Rock-A-Thon, members journeyed to Halifax in November to view the activities of the Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled, Nova Scotia Chapter, workshop on Gottingen Street. The Club also sponsored a skating party for residents of Kings Meadows; and again, sold Christmas cards and Flowers of Hope seed packets for the C.A.M.R. As sponsors of the W.R.H.S. Variety Concert, the Club raised considerable funds for future works. School books were again collected and sent overseas. As a result of the fall visit to Halifax, a wheelchair was purchased and donated to the Windsor Unit of the Canadian Red Cross.

The year 1973 - 1974 marked the Fifth Anniversary of Interact at W.R.H.S. Under the able leadership of Aubrey Palmeter as President, the Club again had an active year. In October members joined together with Windsor Rotarians in a clean-up of the Rotary Camp for Hants County Youth at Lake Mockingigh. Fellowship was really in evidence as members of both clubs hammered and painted, and prepared the Camp for the winter season. Sheila Dykens, Interact Vice-President, and Director Pat Lunn prepared an excellent noon meal for all who attended. October was also the month that Interacters sponsored the sale of Student Accident and Life Insurance policies to W.R.H.S. pupils on behalf of Roger E. Strum Ltd. In December, the Club donated to the new W.R.H.S. Band - an exciting addition to the school, directed by Mr. Brian Johnston. During the year, an exchange of Interacters was arranged between W.R.H.S. Interact Club and Upper Canada College Interact Club. Aubrey Palmeter was chosen and sent from Windsor and a student from Upper Canada College visited Windsor.

The Club held its most successful Rock-A-Thon ever at the Windsor Mall in November of 1974, raising over $400.00, with the help of Miss Finader.

On the occasion of its Fifth Anniversary, the W.R.H.S. Interact Club joined with the citizens of Hants County in saluting its parent Club, the Rotary Club of Windsor, as that Club celebrated 45 years of service to others.

The W.R.H.S. Interact Club continued until June 1978, under Bob Delong's guidance, fulfilling its annual commitments; including sponsoring a Foster Child. Due to the restructuring of programs at Windsor Regional in 1978, the students were unable to conduct their business at the school and since Rotary International requires that Interact Clubs operate within schools during school time, the Club was disbanded.

The W.R.H.S. Interact Club was the only one of its kind east of Montreal at the time of formation. It functioned very successfully for nine years. It was one of about 3,000 worldwide Rotary-sponsored organizations -of young people dedicated to service and international understanding.