Sandra McCabe, a member of Rotary Lisburn in Northern Ireland, is one of the proposers of the original idea to mark the occasion.
Despite the past year being a difficult one for many of us, it has also brought out the best in many people, making Sandra recognise how we can all have a positive influence on each other’s lives.
Rotary member, Sandra McCabe, a proposer of Thank You Day on 4th July 2021.
And she is encouraging other Rotary members, clubs and their communities to follow suit where we all get together, say thank you to everyone who helped us over the past year, and look forward to better times ahead.
Sandra said: “My ‘Thank You Day’ is going to take the form of a barbecue for Rotarians and their partners, which I am hoping to host in the grounds of my business or at my house.
“We haven’t been able to get together in person for over a year now, so this will be our first meeting together.
“We thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to have the President’s hand-over on that day, as a celebration for the President who has had a very challenging year in managing and conducting activities virtually.
“I look forward to a really great day of togetherness and thanks, in which the true spirit of our Rotary club will shine through.”
Volunteers can join forces the community for one hour of fun and volunteering
Alongside Rotary, the day is being supported by the likes of NHS, Royal Voluntary Service and the Scouts, as well as celebrity backers such as Michael Sheen, Tim Peake and Bear Grylls.
As part of the day, there are a host of activities to choose from to host or participate in locally, from park runs to the UK’s largest Cookout with Levi Roots!
Get involved in Power Hour at 11am!
Rotary is taking the lead on ‘Power Hour’ at 11am where volunteers can join forces with other members of the community of all ages for one hour of fun, impactful volunteering, with the aim of brightening up the local area.
Organise a Thank You Day Litter-Pick!
Join with friends, family, your neighbours and organise a street or park clear-up together or do something else for your local environment.
I look forward to a really great day of togetherness and thanks, in which the true spirit of our Rotary club will shine through.”
This could be tree or flower planting, a litter pick, painting a community mural, building wildlife boxes and much more! The ideas are really up to you, and is all about coming together on the day for an activity that suits you.
All the resources to get involved can be found on rotarygbi.org/thankyouday
Get involved in Power Hour at 11am!
According to The Mental Health Foundation 45% of us say that being in green spaces has been vital for our mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Together as Rotary members, let’s say thank you to the blue and green spaces that have served our mental health so well during the pandemic.
Sandra joined Lisburn Rotary in 2003, following in the footsteps of her father, Leslie. She became the Rotary club’s first female President in 2008.
In 1984, she opened up her own business, Oasis Travel, which has three Rotarians – sister-in-law Wendy Corkin became a Rotarian following the death of her brother Gary, who was also a Rotary member and past president.
Also in the business are Mark Davidson and Brian Gillespie, both Past Presidents of Belfast and North Down Rotary Clubs.
Sandra is Chairperson of the Board of Governors at Wallace High School where she has encouraged the start of an Interact club, in association with Lisburn Rotary, hopefully inspiring the next generation of Rotarians.
She added: “I have been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received both on a personal level and as a business owner from Rotarians, family, friends, colleagues, and customers.
“With so many people to thank, after such a hard year for many, a ‘Thank You Day’ is the perfect opportunity to bring communities, family and friends together.”
Help Rotary say thank you and get involved at rotarygbi.org/thankyouday
