By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
The Thamesville Sertoma Club said ‘thank you’ to the generous businesses, organizations and individuals whose financial assistance helped fund renovations to their clubhouse.
The club hosted a dedication ceremony in mid-December to acknowledge the Thamesville community for supporting the many update projects at its Railroad St. facility.
The Sertoma Club was gifted the building by the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Lodge for $1, thanks to Calvin Clark, 12 years ago.
“We want to recognize the people who helped us over the years,” said Mike Wright, treasurer of the Sertoma Club. “We’ve been gradually updating the building over the years.”
One of the major updates was removing the roof from the back portion of the building to create a covered deck.
The club has also renovated the kitchen, washrooms and sidewalk, making the facility fully accessible.
Proceeds from the sale of their former clubhouse on William St. helped kick-start the renovations, but it has been donations from the community that have sustained the update project over the years.
The Sertoma Club received $20,000 from Farm Credit Canada, which assisted in the final kitchen and washroom renovations.
Among the Platinum sponsors are the Thamesville Fireman’s Association and the Chatham-Kent Community Foundation, which have donated over $5,000 over the years, as well as proceeds from the Sertoma golf tournaments.
The club also received major funding from the Festival of Giving as a donation in appreciation for the members who volunteered to assist with the annual fundraising event.
Sertoma Club members also raised funds through food sales at local events, such as the Thamesville Threshing Festival, the Thamesville Crossroads Car Show, and the Bothwell Opti-Fest Car Show.
The club also raises money with their bottle return program.
And with the money the Sertoma Club took in last year, they donated $69,000 back into the community in various ways, including the recent Needy Families Christmas assistance program, which helped families in the Thamesville area.
The Sertoma Club also celebrated its 55th anniversary on its sponsor dedication day.
In a day when many service clubs are struggling to survive because of low membership, the Thamesville Sertoma Club is thriving.
The club boasts 72 members and added a new member on its dedication day.
“It’s a small town, and we’re localized, so people see what we do and want to be a part of it,” said Wright.
The common trait among members, Wright said, is a love for the Thamesville community and its people, which is repaid with community support at their events and food booths.
“When we’re working these events, we hear all the time, ‘you do so much for the community,’ and they’re willing to help us with a donation,” Wright said.
Ward 3 Councillor John Wright attended the dedication and brought congratulations and remarks on behalf of the Municipality.
“I’d like to thank you for all the work you do in this community,” Wright said. “If it wasn’t for volunteer groups in all of our communities, nothing would get done.”
“You do a great job out here, and it’s volunteers like you that keep our communities together,” said Wright.
Rick Patterson, Chief of Thamesville Fire Station 8, also thanked the Sertoma Club for all they do in the community.
“The Firemen’s Association has a great relationship with you,” he said. “It takes a lot of people to build a community, and you guys have a lot of spirit.”
