The Rotary Club of South Eastman hosted its much-anticipated Annual Event on November 19 at the Mennonite Heritage Village Auditorium. Dubbed as “Empowering Tomorrow: An Evening of Impact for Youth and Community,”
Celebrating Partnerships and Programs
Emceed by local Rotarian Kris Ontong who stepped in at the last minute for Michelle Sawatzky-Koop, the program began with a land acknowledgment, followed by greetings from the City of Steinbach brought by Mayor Earl Funk who remarked about the strong partnership between the City and Rotary in building a stronger region.
The subsequent segment focused on the vital work of the DARE program, which Rotary supports in partnership with the Hanover School Division and the RCMP. Attendees heard directly about the program's impact from RCMP Constable Dennis Redikop and Hanover School Division Assistant Superintendent Marlin Adrian, along with inspirational presentations from students who have participated in DARE.
Further reinforcing the Club's commitment to youth and community development, the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly (RYLA) and the Ripple Effect Program (supporting education in Guatemala) were also highlighted.
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Honouring Service Above Self
A special moment of the evening was the presentation of the Paul Harris Fellow Awards, recognizing individuals who exemplify Rotary’s core values of integrity, leadership, and “Service Above Self.”
This year, the Club proudly recognized two past RCMP officers as Paul Harris Fellows:
- Past Staff Sergeant Harold Laninga
- Constable Kevin Wynn† (accepted by Kelsey Wynn)
The awards were presented by Rotary Club President Cornelius ‘Corny’ Petkau. Both individuals were celebrated for building bridges between law enforcement and young people, a model of partnership our community stands behind.
Inspiring Keynote
The program closed with the evening's 2025 Keynote Speaker, Rebecca Atet Deng. Rebecca, a South Sudanese-born author, speaker, and peacebuilder, is a former Lost Girl of Sudan who was resettled to Canada. Her incredible story of resilience, leadership, and compassion reminded everyone of the power of service and what a community can accomplish when it lifts one another up.
In support of her commitment to providing hope and opportunity through education, the Club made a $500 donation to Rebecca Atet Deng’s The Excel Empowerment Centre (TEEC).
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Thanking The Club's Supporters
The Club extends its sincere gratitude to all of its sponsors and partners whose generosity made this evening possible. A big thank you also goes to the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Mennonite Heritage Village Museum for the wonderful meal and to all who enjoyed the SMILE cookies, a community initiative supporting families through the Steinbach Family Resource Centre.
For those who missed the event but would like to learn more about the work of Rotary or becoming a member, please connect with any of our club members!