On Monday, April 29, 2019, The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo, with the help of the United Way of San Luis Obispo County and Rotary Clubs throughout the area, led a project called Diversity in Action – SLO Reads to celebrate "Día", a national library program that fosters literacy for all children from all backgrounds. Día, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) is a commitment to include and celebrate all cultures through literacy.  Rotarians and other volunteers went to all ten elementary schools in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District and read books of culturally diverse stories to children in kindergarten to 6th grade. The volunteers purchased and donated the books to the classroom libraries and made financial donations to purchase hundreds of additional books. The project was as rewarding to the readers as it was to the children, and the club plans to make this an annual project.

On April 6th, 2019, the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise got together to form a team of hardworking men and women.  Our project for 2019 was to assist The Free Clinic of Simi Valley in getting ready to open their doors for business.  The Free Clinic of Simi  Valley has provided continuous charitable service since it's establishment in 1971 as a non-profit, volunteer-based community service organization.  The mission of the Free Clinic of Simi Valley is to provide medical care, counseling, dental and legal assistance to individuals and families in need, regardless of their ability to pay.  This includes those of all ages, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, who are unable to use traditional sources within the community.  Typically, the clients of the clinic are the uninsured and the underserved.
 
 

When they learned that the Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise was organizing a Fundraiser built upon the theme of Senior Prom, the Rotaract Clubs of Cal Lutheran University and Conejo Valley sprung into action. Embracing the opportunity of selling corsages and boutonnieres to the Prom patrons to raise funds, they accepted Westlake Sunrise’s request for help.  Knowing that both Rotaract Clubs had modest funds to work with, their flower supplies were sponsored by Felix Wang of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks and their other supplies were sponsored by Westlake Sunrise. Sunrise’s Next Gen Chair Don Martin and his wife, Susan,  were educated in Millennials musical tastes when they attended the corsage-making pizza party at Cal Lutheran, with over 10 Rotaractors from both clubs attending.  At the Prom Event the following evening, 8 members from both Rotaract Clubs sold the corsages and helped to sell raffle tickets.  By the end of the night, they were all dancing together. The 2 Rotaract clubs divided up the near $600 raised from this effort.  This project was a success on many levels, especially in the cooperation and teamwork between the clubs involved. 

The Rotary Club of Atascadero planned an effort that has spanned 6 years! The project has galvanized the city of Atascadero like no other project. They needed to raise $1,200,000 to complete the "Parents for Joy" project. CLICK HERE for details on the project. The project is now open thanks to a huge donation of land and money by the city and over $500,000.00 in local donations. Past President, Tom Zirk (2015-16) set aside $7,000 during his term for this project. This year, current president, Don Idler was also determined to finish his year by being a major donor. Their fundraisers this year “Cork & Cap Benefit” and the "Crab Feed and Auction" garnered enough to supply the balance to their foundation to write a check for the remaining $25,000! The Rotary Club of Atascadero pulled together and worked very hard to do this as this was not their only donation to the community and support of other clubs.

Five local high school students earn scholarships for their artistic “Perspectives on Peace”

Ventura, CA: The Rotary Club of Ventura, which this year celebrates 100 years of service to the Ventura community, has announced the winners of a new Perspectives on Peace Scholarship program. Five high school seniors are being awarded a total of $9,000 in scholarships, based on their outstanding original art submissions around the theme of “Perspectives on Peace.” They will be honored at Ventura Rotary Club on May 15th, and their artwork will have a special exhibit at the Museum of Ventura Country from May 18th – June 2nd.

 

The Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet is the oldest community service project of the Camarillo Rotary Club. The Meet began in 1959, when a group of local Rotarians created an organized track and field competition for Camarillo boys and girls at the elementary and junior high school levels. There were only a few schools then, and not too many entrants, but over the years, the Meet has grown to keep pace with the community. The Meet was named the Hap Rapp Memorial Track Meet in 1988, in honor of the late Rotarian Hap Rapp, who devoted so much of his time and talents to the event over the years.

Recently the Rotary Club of Conejo Valley, collaborated with several organizations, including Rotary Club of Nuevo Leon, Gift For Life, Cardio Chavitos, international surgeons, and anesthesiologists to help perform life saving surgeries on approximately 31 children in Monterrey Mexico. Diego Velasquez, International Service Chair for Conejo Valley’s club, worked together with his club and the various groups to get a Rotary global grant approved to further support this incredible mission. Early November 2018, Rotarian, Diego Velasquez, along with numerous volunteers arrived in Monterrey Mexico amongst the captivating views of the mountains eager to get their project started to help these less fortunate children in dire need. They visited the world class Hospital Zambrano Hellion where surgeries took place and had a pre-surgery meeting with the local Rotary Club of Nuevo Leon, Gift for Life, Cardio Chavitos, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other volunteers. Children checked in and had an emotional, high-spirited meeting with the volunteers.  All in all surgeries went very well and these lovely children got a second chance at life thanks to Rotary and the other amazing organizations’ contributions. As Rotarians toured the city after there was a sign on the street that summed up the trip, “Vivir Es Increible”, which means that "To Live Is Incredible!"

For the past ten years, Cayucos Rotary has hosted the “Lost at Sea” memorial on Memorial Day, to remember those who served as well as civilians who had been lost at sea. The memorial is held at 1500 hours every year at the Cayucos Pier.

Each year, there are devotional and ceremonial tributes following the national anthem and welcome remarks. Military veterans come dressed in their uniforms and are honored.  Music follows the tolling of the bell, and the meaning of the “Missing Man” and the symbolism of the wreath are explained to the audience. Benediction continues and everyone marches out to the pier for blessings of the wreath. The wreath is then tossed into the ocean, and the rifle salute follows. The ceremony closes with the flyover of war planes. It’s an emotionally charged and touching event, and not to be missed.

 

This project was a joint partnership with Shafter Rotary Club, the City of Shafter and Amvets.  Shafter Rotary Club was responsible for contributing up to $15,000 to use towards installation of flagpoles, electrical, and lighting improvements plus concrete and walkway improvements.  A dedication was held on Saturday, May 18^th with several local dignitaries in attendance.  The Shafter Rotary Club then hosted refreshments and food following the ceremony.