Last Wednesday’s Rotary Club meeting opened with a beautiful reflection from Prof. Lucille Blumberg on kindness—how it should be nurtured like a garden, tended to with intention and care. With that thought in mind, the meeting, chaired by Judy Symons, unfolded into a morning of inspiration, impact, and exciting updates.
The highlight of the gathering was guest speaker Sarah Welton Blake, founder of Community Hours, a platform connecting volunteers with meaningful service opportunities. Introduced by Helene Bramwell, Sarah shared the incredible journey of her organization, which has facilitated an astounding 68,500 verified volunteer hours since 2016—equivalent to 77 years of service!
Community Hours isn’t just about logging hours; it’s about sparking change. The platform operates in 50 countries, helping volunteers engage in projects that align with their passions and values.
One standout initiative is the Diepsloot eco-brick classrooms, where 16,000 eco-bricks—made from repurposed plastic waste—are used to construct a single classroom, diverting nearly 10,000 kgs of waste from landfills and waterways. Now that’s impact!
Beyond environmental efforts, Community Hours kept the spirit of service alive even through the pandemic, organizing virtual volunteering, feeding programs, and dignity bag initiatives. Sarah’s core message? “Every step of kindness counts. Keep showing up for community work. It’s the hero’s journey that matters.”
Wendy Challis wrapped up the talk by celebrating the generosity of South Africans and how the spirit of Ubuntu shines through in acts of service.
Prof. Lucille Blumberg applauded the overwhelming success of the Donate a Loo Book Fair, with R30,000 raised so far! Due to its popularity, the fair has been extended until the end of March—more time to grab a book and support a great cause.
Excitement is also brewing for the Golf Day on 28 March at Wanderers Club. Mike Macdonald and Linda Vink reminded members to contribute to the booze barrow, sell raffle tickets, and help secure four-ball teams. Hole sponsorships are still open, and any amount is welcomed! The event will benefit Rainbow Animals, Donate a Loo, and the Rotary Club of Johannesburg New Dawn.
With momentum building across multiple initiatives, the meeting wrapped up with the Four-Way Test, an everyday reminder of Rotary’s guiding principles.