Kiwanis Club of Orillia

06/16/2026

🌟 Great News, Everyone! 🌟

We will see you this evening! Can’t wait to hang out with you all.
PLUS… we’re adding an extra week to the schedule! 🎉

✨ Final Week will be June 23rd ✨
That gives us one more wonderful session together before we wrap up. Thank you for your continued energy and involvement—let’s make these final two week amazing! 💪

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Reminder for Parents:
If you feel the weather is not safe for your child, we completely understand and appreciate that decision. Your child’s safety is our top priority.

Please know we’ll have a session next week where we will:
✅ Hand out team photos
✅ Play our final games of the season

So even if you miss tonight, you won’t miss the celebration! 📸🏆

06/08/2026

We were proud to officially welcome two new members to our club today!

Nicole Parkes and Adam Katarynych were formally inducted during this afternoon’s meeting, marking the beginning of their journey with our organization. It’s always a special moment to grow our membership with individuals who are passionate about giving back and strengthening our community.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Nicole and Adam—we’re excited to have you both on board and look forward to all that we will accomplish together.

06/06/2026

Today, we remember D-Day — June 6, 1944 — when Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in one of the most courageous and pivotal operations in history. We honour the bravery, sacrifice, and determination of the troops who fought for freedom and helped change the course of the Second World War.

We remember the lives lost, the families forever changed, and the enduring legacy of those who served.

June 6, 1944. Today, we mark the anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. 14,000 Canadians stormed Juno Beach, showing unparalleled bravery in the face of fierce resistance. 359 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice that day.

We stand in silent gratitude for the heroes who broke through the Atlantic Wall and paved the path to liberation.

Learn more: https://youtu.be/p4zzgMR0nk0?si=iEcrj88NX5_VVCYl

Photo: Photo: Troops of the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade
(Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders) going
ashore from LCI (L) 299 [Landing Craft Infantry],
Bernières-sur-mer, Normandy, France, 6 June 1944.
[Library and Archives Canada 3408540]

06/05/2026

📣 Calling All Members – Important Updates & June 8 Meeting Reminder

We look forward to seeing everyone at our next weekly meeting on June 8th, where we will hear an update on the Kiwanis Children’s Safety Village and formally welcome our newest members to the club.

Please be sure to check your email ahead of the meeting, as this week’s update is packed with important information you won’t want to miss!!

06/02/2026

We were pleased to welcome Chef Melanie Robinson, owner of Eclectic Café in downtown Orillia, Chopped Canada winner, and Nelle Carter Woman of the Year, to our weekly Kiwanis meeting.

Melanie shared her inspiring journey into the culinary world, reflecting on how she got her start and the experiences that shaped her path. She also spoke about her strong commitment to supporting local businesses and giving back to others in the community—values that truly resonate with our club.

We were especially touched to learn that Melanie was once a Little Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters and later became a Big Sister herself. Big Brothers Big Sisters is a program proudly supported by the Kiwanis Club of Orillia, making her story even more meaningful to our members.

Thank you, Melanie, for sharing your story and for the positive impact you continue to make in Orillia.

06/01/2026

We were delighted to welcome Don from the Day Camp Buddy Program with the City of Orillia to our Kiwanis Lunch today. It was a pleasure to learn more about the meaningful impact this program has on children in our community. The Buddy Program provides one-on-one support for children who need extra assistance to fully participate in camp, helping create a safe, inclusive, and positive experience for every camper.

We are especially honoured to present Don with a donation of $800, which will help support two children attending camp this summer, each matched with a dedicated buddy. This support ensures that every child has the opportunity to participate, connect, and thrive in a positive camp experience.

We’re excited to share that there will be a segment on this initiative featured on CTV News this evening. We encourage those who are able to consider making a donation online to support this incredible program: https://www.orilliarec.ca/recreation-and-culture/programs-leagues-and-camps/camps/

Thank you, Don, for the incredible work you and your team do. We are proud to support such an important initiative.

05/30/2026

What a beautiful day for the annual Orillia Red Shirt Day Walk in support of Easter Seals Ontario ❤️ Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support!

05/30/2026

Join us today for the Orillia Red Shirt Day Walk/Roll for Accessibility and Inclusion.

It all starts at 10:00 a.m. at J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park (450 Atherley Road).

Hosted by Easter Seals Ontario, this meaningful community event supports children and youth with physical disabilities. Wear red, bring your friends and family, and be part of a movement that celebrates inclusion, accessibility, and community spirit.

Whether you walk, roll, or cheer from the sidelines, your support makes a difference.

Join or donate today: https://redshirtday.org/walk/

We hope to see you there!