Picking up and moving your family isn’t an easy thing to do during the best of times. Add in the stress of a global pandemic, and the task feels almost impossible. But that’s exactly what Collins Acheampong did in the Summer of 2020, when he packed up his family’s belongings and made the move with his wife, Linda, and three children, 11-year-old Vanessa, eight-year-old Jenelle, and seven-year-old Jason, from Mississauga to Thorold. Their home is just a short distance from Pelham—about a 10-kilometre drive away.
As Niagara, along with the rest of the world, slowly began to return to some semblance of normality over the course of the next few years, Acheampong began looking for ways to plant roots within his new community and grow a stronger relationship with others who also call Niagara home.
Having spent much of his time shopping at Pelham’s grocery stores, often stopping into local coffee shops, and frequenting the Meridian Community Centre with his kids, Acheampong said Pelham felt like the right place to find a long-lasting group of friends and partners dedicated to community service.
He found what he was looking for when he joined the Rotary Club of Fonthill in May 2023. He is currently serving as the club’s president-elect.
Kids grow up and see what their parents do
“My decision to become a member stemmed from the profound desire to make an impact on people’s lives and witness their flourishing in various aspects,” he said. “This club provides me with the opportunity to actively participate and contribute to community services.”
During his first year, Acheampong said he was proud to have been part of a golf tournament that raised $15,000 for the Niagara Children’s Centre, an agency that provides physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and other services to children across Niagara who have physical, developmental, and communicative delays or disabilities.
Acheampong also volunteered with a purse bingo that raised $8,000 for Pathstone Mental Health, an agency that provides mental health services to children.
“What I like about Rotary is that we do events throughout the year that not only help one community, but all of Niagara,” Acheampong said.
The Rotary Club of Fonthill was chartered in 1991, and is part of an international district that includes 66 clubs in western New York and southern Ontario.
Depending on what's happening during a given month, the time commitment to be a Rotary member is about four hours a month.
"I am one of the youngest in the group and it can be difficult balancing a full-time job and three kids at home," Acheampong said, and explained that it's important for him to be a role model for his kids by volunteering.
Acheampong is thankful to his wife, Linda, for supporting his volunteer efforts. As his children attend Rotary events, Acheampong hopes they too will catch the volunteerism bug.
"Kids grow up and see what their parents do. I believe (volunteering) has got to start at home,” he said.
