The Club was chartered on April 3rd. 1952, having been sponsored and assisted by the Rotary Club of Toronto-Leaside, who also arranged the Charter Night Programme. The dinner was held at Graystone's Restaurant, Yonge St., Aurora and there were twenty charter members present. Bob Cross (Richmond Hill District High School) was the first President and served until the end of June, 1952.

For the Rotary year 1952-3, Ralph Butler (Charter member) (Butler &. Baird, Lumber Merchants on Centre St. E.) was at the helm. There are no records for this year but in 1953-4 Bill Gilchrist (Charter member) (Gormley Block Co.) was President and $97.50 was paid to a Dr. Howe for a tonsillectomy, presumably performed upon some impecunious and I hope, willing child. In addition York County Hospital was paid $53.10. Obviously tonsillectomies were big business. (And not covered by OHIP! W.H!) There were also contributions to the Richmond Hill Recreation Committee for park benches, to a Clement Trust Fund and a boy's workshop. It is noted that the first deposits for Christmas Tree Sales were made on December 23rd, 1953 totalling $329.50. This was the Club's main fund raising activity for at least 35 years. In February, 1954 a $15 prize was put up for the winner of the Courtesy Contest for Store Clerks. Also noteworthy is a contribution to an Ottawa Student Seminar. The bank balance at year end was $763.77.

Jack Rice (Charter member) (Rice Real Estate) was President for the Rotary Year 1954-5, when the sale of Christmas trees netted $203.15. A sum of $148.45 was raised at Cooking School. A sum of $169.90 was donated to develop or improve the Arena dressing room and uniforms were financed for the school band at a cost of $46.58. Again a student was sent to Ottawa for a cost of $63.35. Of interest is a $200 donation to the Hurricane Hazel Relief Fund occasioned by that terrible storm that wreaked havoc in parts of Toronto and York Region. The year end bank balance was $602.85

In 1955-56 Bill McDougall (Charter member) was President and it appears that the only fund raising project was the Cooking School which netted $221.99. This year the Richmond Hill High School Track and Field Team was supported with a $75 donation and the Arena Association with $104.40. A student was sent to London (Ontario?) at a cost of $37. Welfare donations totalled $396.84 and $675 was transferred from the Club Account to balance the books.

1956-7. Bill Burns (Charter member) (Public Health Inspector) was President. Christmas tree sales netted $139.96 but $135.49 was lost on a new bench rental project. (This was probably because of the initial costs of purchasing and painting the new benches. W.H.) resulting in a net figure of $4.47 only for the year. Not to worry, though, a total of $898 was donated to the scouts, a hockey team, a Town day camp, a student to a U.N. Seminar, ball park lights, the Public Library and $396.84 to welfare. It is not reported how they managed to balance the books this year. I am not sure they did balance as it is noted that the bank balance on June 30th, 1957 was $303.51 and on July 1st. of that year was $341.58. Figure that out! The benches were rented out for $40 and $45 a year and the material costs were $400.49. The benches were put together by the members and had an advertisement for the subscriber on the bench back. The day camp expenditure marked the beginning of the well-known Camp Richildaca, originally at Richmond Hill High School but now privately owned and situated at Kettleby.

1957-58, President Ron Ryland, showed a marked improvement in funds raised from bench advertising rentals, the raffle of a fishing kit, sale of Christmas trees and a raffle for a man's suit. A total of $1296.41 net even after absorbing an $86.85 loss on sponsorship of a Muskoka Holiday play. Regarding the suit raffle, one suit made by Gunnars Tailors was raffled during the months of April, May and June. The Boy's Club, the Richmond Hill Recreation Committee, the Ottawa Seminar and the U.N.Seminar were all supported to the tune of $295.20. $400 was also paid to send M.Munroe and J.Passmore to the Edmonton B.E.Games. The end of year bank balance was $996.88.

1958-59. President Bob Johnston was at the helm when fund raising totalled $1,885.32 net. New this year were weekly raffles and a Rotary Radio Roundup and a draw for Yule Logs. I don't think they were the burning kind! $100 was donated to the Retarded Children's Building Fund and $100 to the Victorian Order of Nurses. Along with this the Rotarians canvassed the townsfolk's to establish this valuable community service. A sum of $783.14 was allocated to youth activities.

 
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