Youth
Ballenas Interact Club
Formed in 2014, the Ballenas Interact Club continues to attract an enthusiastic and compassionate group of young people, giving us all hope for our future and the future of Rotary.
Projects undertaken in 2024-25 have included:
- Christmas Gift Shoe Box campaign
- Hallow-een food and clothing drive
- Personal hygiene bags for the unsheltered in our community
- KIVA loans for budding business owners in the developing world
- Fundraising through recycling at Ballenas
- Mexico Spring Break – Interact students joined Rotary Team Mexico to build a home in the Baja.
Photo at right shows the Ballenas Interact Club after a busy session of filling shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, a program that collects gift-filled shoeboxes and distributes them to struggling kids in the developing world.
100 Kids For Change – Oceanside
The Rotary Club of Parksville is delighted to match the donations of 100 Kids For Change – Oceanside, a group of young people spreading positive change in the community through youth philanthropy. Founder, Janel Van Dongen is also an enthusiastic volunteer at the weekly Rotary Bottle Drop.
Kudos to this incredible group of young people who have supported such worthwhile causes as the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre and the Hand & Hearts Food Program.
Darryl Craig Award
The Darryl Craig Award is presented annually, providing Paul Harris recognition to an exemplary student. Photo shows 2025 Award recipient, Katie McCulloch with presenter, Jill Wilkie.
Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Parksville also provides three scholarships to graduating Ballenas students.
Leadership
Interact members participate annually in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, developing their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections.
