By Dan Schellenberg

Jared Zimmer

Jared Zimmer, a recipient of a Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook undergraduate scholarship in 2018, is currently in his fourth year of an Arts Degree, majoring in History, with a minor in Christian Studies at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta.

“Volunteering within my community has always been important to me,” says Jarad. “Since I was a child, I have been fundraising for some thing or another. I recall many times after school and evenings, walking door to door, gaining pledges for societies like the Heart and Stroke and MS.”

Jared is an ardent believer in the Rotary motto, “Service above Self” and strives to live his life with this in mind, which is evidenced by his dedication to service work. Jarad’s most recent international service adventure entailed a trip to Egypt in June of 2018, where he was a volunteer in putting on a soccer training camp for teens and young adults.

“We hosted a soccer tournament and even put in an international team to play against the Egyptian soccer teams,” remarks Jarad. Also, while in Egypt, he worked with a children’s day camp, playing games with the kids and encouraging them in sportsmanship.

Jarad’s volunteer experience and striving for “Service above Self” featured a trip to Alabama several years ago. In this case he helped work with a woman whose life was adversely affected by the ravages of Hurricane Katrina. Jarad says, “We repaired her house and tried to help as much as we could. We also worked with children and put on some summer camps for them.”

“Our family has always believed in service to others and we have worked as a team to sponsor World Vision children. In addition to that, we have raised enough funds to build two wells in destitute areas of India,” Jarad says.

Besides performing service work on an international level, Jarad has participated in local endeavours, such as serving for several years as a camp counsellor for the Cranbrook Alliance Church Kid’s Summer Camp at Rock Lake.

Further service work on a local level, entailed working as a drummer for several community events, which included drama productions held at Cranbrook’s Stage Door, as well as providing his drumming skills at a few area weddings. In addition, Jarad has been a volunteer with Citizens on Patrol in Cranbrook.

Jarad’s future plans, include pursuing a Master’s degree in History and teaching English overseas, all the while continuing to promote and be involved in “Service above Self.”

We, at Sunrise Rotary Club of Cranbrook wish Jarad all the best in his future educational and service goals.

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