- December 18, 2025
Emilia Mattson from Helsinki, Finland, recently visited the Port Orange-South Daytona Rotary Club, her sponsor as an exchange student five years ago.
Matron lived with host families Jeff and Pam Walker and Laura and Mark Hazen. She returned to Port Orange to visit with her host families and thank the Rotary Club for her sponsorship. Emilia, a recent college graduate will be working as an assistant to a member of Parliament when she returns to Finland.
Robin Canady, a registered therapy dog handler, spoke at the Port Orange-South Daytona Rotary Club about the BJ Project, which uses a robotic Hasbro Joy for All Companion Golden Retriever, Bryley Junior, to provide a connection with Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients.
The robotic dog barks, moves his head and wags his tail. Canady has started a mission to raise funds to purchase and donate the stuffed dog to as many care facilities in Volusia County as she can. She recently presented one to Maryjo Allen, Executive Director of Halifax Health Hospice. Photo: Maryjo Allen and Robin Canady holding BJ.
Russ Miller presented a flag pin and certificate to Chad Hazen and Ken Burgman, two members of the Port Orange South Daytona Rotary Club in recognition of their contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Additionally, Miller joined Rotary in 1999 by starting a new club and still maintains perfect attendance. Russ has held several offices in Rotary and currently serves as the District 6970 annual fund chair and assistant regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for all north Florida.
Miller is also a recipient of The Rotary Foundations Citation for Meritorious Service.
