District Rotary Foundation Gala

By PDG Frank Ortiz, District Rotary Foundation Chair

The recent District Rotary Foundation Gala was held in January at the elegant Sherwood Country Club in Westlake Village. It was an event to recognize many of our contributors who have supported The Rotary Foundation within the past year.  The event featured our keynote speaker, Past Rotary International President Ravi Ravindran.  In addition, Brenda Cressey, current Trustee of The Rotary Foundation was in attendance and spoke to the value of including the Legacy of Rotary in your estate plan.

The event was primarily dedicated to our many Clubs and Individual Rotarians around the District who have made it a priority to support our Foundation.  

Thirty-three (33) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 with the End Polio Now - Countdown to History Campaign.  The effort recognized club contributions of at least $1,500 towards polio eradication efforts.  

Twenty-two (22) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 as 100% Foundation Giving Clubs with total giving of at least $100 per capita and 100% member participation.

Nineteen (19) Clubs were recognized for their support in 2018-2019 as Every Rotarian Every Year Clubs with Annual Fund Giving of at least $100 per capita and 100% member participation.

The Top 3 highest per capita contributors in 2018-2019 in support of the Annual Fund were Ojai West ($384.21), Oxnard ($325.80), and San Luis Obispo ($320.11).

There were twenty-six (26) new Paul Harris Society Members recognized between January 1 of 2019 and January 6 of 2020.  These members are dedicated to an annual commitment of at least $1,000 to Rotary’s Annual Fund, Polio Plus, or an Approved Rotary Global Grant.

There were thirty-seven (37) new Major Donors recognized between December of 2018 and January 6 of 2020.  Of those, there were six (6) Major Donor Level 2 recipients, and three (3) Major Donor Level 3 recipients.  Those new Level 3 recipients were Matt Lallo and Vicki Arndt, both from the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks; and Ragner Storm-Larsen from the Rotary Club of Newbury Park.

There were twenty-five (25) new Bequest Society recognized between December of 2018 and January 6 of 2020.  Of those, there were three (3) Bequest Society Level 2 recipients, and one (1) Bequest Society Level 3 recipient.  The new Level 3 recipient was Jeff & Sally King from the Rotary Club of Pismo Beach-Five Cities.

Brenda and Dick Cressey from the Rotary Club of Paso Robles were recognized for their support as Arch Klumph Society members, and most recently as contributors to the new Rotary Legacy Society program.

Lastly; there were forty-four (44) Rotarians and Spouses recognized as new Charter Members of  the District 5240 Triple Crown Donors Circle.  These individuals are recognized for achieving levels of giving as Major Donors, Bequest Society, and Paul Harris Society members.

Thanks to all who worked to make the evening a success and to all who attended and participated with this year’s Foundation Gala.

CLICK HERE for Club and Individual Recognitions

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS