Sometimes it can be hard to meet friends in a new area. That was especially true during the pandemic. Crystal Lambkin, a travel professional with some two decades of experience, was impacted by pandemic restrictions concerning travel.
“It was very, very challenging for sure. We were completely shut down and other than family, emergencies that people were traveling for, we weren't encouraging people to travel,” said Lambkin.
With her business closed temporarily, she said life in Toronto was very expensive. That brought her to Niagara to be closer to her family – her sister lives in St. Catharines. Eventually, Lambkin was able to find a home in Fonthill with neighbours she gets along with well.
“Fonthill was really one of those little hidden gems,” she said.
Lambkin grew up in the Windsor area before she made her way to Toronto in her 20s, where she lived for the better part of 20 years and where she worked as a travel professional. Her business, Paragon Travel, has been operating for 25 years.
She first was introduced to Rotary by her business partner, who was already a member.
“We were at the Civic Centre promoting Paragon travel, and the Rotarians were there from the East York Rotary Club and they said, 'You know, you should really, really come out.,'” she said. “I attended a meeting and I really liked it.”
Lambkin officially became a member on June 6, 2002. If she ever missed the morning meetings, she would get a phone call from her friend Gord.
“I'm so glad that Gord persisted because I ended up joining the Rotary club and absolutely loved it and made lifelong friends,” said Lambkin. “It's just been great because you see different aspects of of the community and who needs help and you're able to help as well.”
She quickly became involved with the club. She ran a fundraiser, Lobsterfest, for about nine years.
“We'd have about 200 people come to the event. We'd sell tickets and raise money and do 50/50 draws, and helped out Michael Garron Hospital, Providence Centre, and Homebound.”
“They are some some fabulous, fabulous organizations that need to do so much for the community,” she said.
For two years, Lambskin served as president of the Rotary Club of York.
She said over the years she “got lots of opportunities to meet people and see organizations you wouldn't normally get to see.”
Still active in the Toronto Rotary scene, Lambkin joined the Rotary Club of Fonthill in August of last year.
She said she had a very challenging time meeting new people because of the pandemic – Lambkin became a Pelham resident in 2021.
“The club here? They're they're delightful people. They're very, very welcoming whenever we attend and made it a point to introduce us to everybody.”
“They remind me of my club in Toronto, she said. “They're a small club but they work very, very hard and they're very welcoming, very enthusiastic and get a lot of things done. So nice to be part of the community that way.”
It is rewarding to be a Rotarian, she said.
“When you help each other out it just gives you a nicer sense of community when you know each other and do things like that.”
Lambkin, a travel lover herself, is now back to helping others make trips with memories that last a lifetime.
