Pre-1950: Under-Privileged Children and VON

Reverting to earlier years, there was a separate committee for under-privileged children. The Chairman, Reg Giffin, reported in 1949 that during the year 15 pairs of shoes were supplied, also cod liver oil and milk to needy children.

The Club sponsored dental clinics in the late 1930's. News items in "The Hants Journal" describe large numbers of teeth being extracted from children.

A reading of the Minutes of the Windsor Rotary Club during the depression years of the nineteen-thirties illustrates the extent to which the Community Service was directly related to local economic and living conditions of the time.

For example, nearing the closing of the first year of the Club's existence there was reference to the need for clothing and footwear for a list of some 100 boys and girls. The first President, Otis Wack, outlined to a meeting of Rotarians plans for collecting and distributing clothing to needy cases. The President undertook personally to issue written orders for clothing to be purchased with money collected for the purpose. Different members were assigned to look after distribution. In October, 1937, Club members collected 80 barrels of apples for western relief. Direct participation by Rotarians in efforts to alleviate distress was further indicated by the setting-up of a committee within the Club to try and get employment for persons in need of such.

A great deal of information regarding poor vision, dental neglect, and speech defects was gathered by visits to the schools by Miss Carter, the Nurse in charge of the Victorian Order of Nurses in Windsor. The minutes of the early nineteen-fifties contain many references to the co-operation with and support of the V.O.N. by the Rotary Club in areas of health care. The Club voted annual grants of money for treatment at Clinics and in follow-up care. In one year, Rotary donated a new automobile for the Nurses' use; and has since made substantial donations towards replacement vehicles.