The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) Box 23016 1020 Dawson Rd Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6P1 Tuesday October 4, 2011: PA Rotary and Salvation Army Celebrate Second Harvest at Field of Greens For Immediate Release: The Port Arthur Rotary Club celebrated its second annual harvest at the Field of Greens during a media conference today in Thunder Bay. The “Field of Greens” project is a combination Vegetable Garden-Recreational Area located on a vacant north side lot of The Salvation Army Men’s Hostel, at 545 Cumberland Street North. The Field of Greens community garden/recreational area was created in 2009 with the help of generous donations from city businesses, organizations and individuals. The garden, now in its second year, provides fresh vegetables to hostel residents, clients of the Soup Van and Food Bank. The recreational area offers residents a place to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. President of the Port Arthur Rotary Club, Kevin Holloway and Major Mervyn Halvorsen, Executive Director of the Salvation Army will unveil a Donor Recognition Sign, to honour and thank everyone who has contributed to this unique project. “The unveiling of the Donor Recognition sign signifies the tremendous community support that this project has garnered” commented Holloway, “over the past two years, Rotarians have enjoyed working on the Field of Greens with the Salvation Army. “ Major Mervyn Halvorsen added, “it is benefiting our residents and clients in a very holistic way. They are learning new skills, getting active, enjoying nature, and improving the quality of the food they consume. We are thankful to everyone who has contributed to the Field of Greens project which is helping to restore dignity and giving hope.” Port Arthur Rotary welcomes any business or community minded not-for-profit organization to share in the development of the project; examples: earthboxes, gardening expertise, seeds, labour, recreation equipment or services. For more information, please go to www.parotary.com or contact Port Arthur Rotary Club Field of Dreams Project Chair Darren Fisk darrenfisk@hotmail.com, or Club President Kevin Holloway (cell:628-2818; holloway@tbaytel.net) or The Salvation Army Executive Director Major Mervyn Halvorsen 345-7319-w 627-0500 Cell; mervyn_halvorsen@salvationarmy.org. All will be available to respond to questions. -30Page 1 of 3 The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) Box 23016 1020 Dawson Rd Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6P1 Rotary Facts • Port Arthur Rotary Club: one of three clubs in Thunder Bay. Current Service Focus is the poor, hungry and homeless in Thunder Bay. • Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service; a global network of approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to over 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries. Primary goal is Service to the community (local or international). • Founded in Chicago in 1905, Rotary celebrated 100 years of service in 2005. During the past 60 years, The Rotary Foundation has awarded more than US$1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational grants, which are administered at the local level. • Rotary clubs exist to improve communities locally and around the world. Rotary also encourages high ethical standards in business and professions. Rotary clubs work to advance international understanding by partnering with clubs in other countries. • For more information about Rotary International, visit www.rotary.org. • The Port Arthur Rotary Club was founded in 1924 and currently has approximately 80 members. Their website is www.parotary.com. The Club meets each Tuesday at noon at the Prince Arthur Hotel. Club President is Kevin Holloway. The Salvation Army • The Food from the " Field of Greens" garden produce is used to feed hostel residents and is also distributed to clients of the Soup Van and Food Bank. The Soup Van makes 2 stops nightly 365 days a year. The Soup Van usage has been growing dramatically in the past month. Usage of the Food Bank has also increased over the past year. • 1882. The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in • The Salvation Army has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and everyday in 400 communities across Canada and 118 countries around the world. • The Salvation Army in Thunder Bay offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people and support for those who are struggling with mental health and other debilitating conditions. Page 2 of 3 The Rotary Club of Thunder Bay (Port Arthur) Box 23016 1020 Dawson Rd Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B 6P1 Sponsor Summary The following Thunder Bay Businesses & Individuals have generously provided materials or services to the Field of Greens Project. Thank you. ALS Labs Bruno’s Contracting C & C PLUMBING-The Waterworks Canadian Tire-Thunder Centre Cheadles LLP/J.D.Barnes & Associates City of Thunder Bay Clow Darling Colour Your World DST Consulting Engineers Food Security Research Network(LU) FoReST Laboratory (LU) FORM-architects Fred Wagenaar Construction George O Hill Supply Girl Guides Canada Gordon Richards Topsoil Gordon Wilson Harbourview Funeral Home Hertz Equipment Rental Home Hardware Memorial Ave Joanne Tomlinson- Harbour Youth Services John Dangel Landale Gardens LCR Estates Lockstone Maier Hardware Mary Anne Comuzzi Nor-Shore Ready Mix North West Fencing Port Arthur Rotarian donors Psychology Department (LU) Residents and Staff of the Salvation Army Hostel Rutter Urban Forestry Signs Now Thunder Bay Farm Co-Op Supplies Tom Jones Construction Trevisanutto’s Garden Center Vanderwees Home and Garden Various Individual Public Donors Venasky-Pouru Electric Wanson Lumber Page 3 of 3