Helping Hands Across Borders

It seems unimaginable that 108 years ago a group of volunteers, members of an international service club, took matters into their own hands to build a mechanism of commerce, that fostered bi-lateral goodwill, between Ontario and Minnesota.? Rotarians from both sides of the border saw a need, found the fortitude, and the drive to construct a bridge, which would serve both countries equally, without government funding. They called it the Outlaw Bridge.

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Rotary was started by a single individual in Chicago in 1905, so that professionals from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships.? It was the vision of one attorney that launched an international movement that turned passions toward humanitarian service.? These open-minded followers of a movement started by Paul Harris, have contributed more to world peace, health, and environment initiatives, than any single government.? They tackled the scourge of polio and the ravages of hunger.? They supported veterans and provided shelter for those displaced by conflict. Volunteers sharing common values across world borders have done so much to mitigate suffering and promote unity.

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So here we are, in a trade war with the country we deem to be our greatest ally.? We are retreating from a free exchange of commerce and culture.? Many of us have close friends or family on either side. I certainly have trust relationships with my American colleagues. Not only am I in a panic that food prices will skyrocket, or joblessness will lengthen food bank lines; but that the businesses that carry our society will begin to crumble. We may do irreparable harm to our collective reputation as peacekeepers and caregivers.

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Our provincial and national food banking organizations are doing whatever they can to prepare for a tsunami of need with dwindling resources. Regional financial donations have already dried up, as discretionary income prospects for the average homeowner and charitable contributor have become bleak.? We will be reviewing our options with the food security agencies across Northwestern Ontario.? We must find more sources of local food, negotiate preferred pricing, and put a host of volunteers to work processing the food that might otherwise be discarded, due to cross-border tariffs.

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I am a proud Rotarian because I believe in selflessness, friendship, peace and giving to others.? Maybe today we should look toward the building of another bridge with our American neighbours.? The leaders that stand in our way should never be a permanent roadblock to justice.? When the current politicians are just a distant memory, do we want to be remembered for what we dismantled and destroyed, or do we want our legacy to be the stories repeatedly told by the people we helped, that lived with poverty.? Rather we celebrate with the children and the elders that we fed, the diverse human rights we restored, and the one bridge that we built together that is connected to our hearts.? Let no one distract us from doing what is right.?? As for me and those within our circle, across borders and overseas, we will continue to serve others with joy.