Welcome to stories of how we work with and impact the community we live in! We, Rotarians, imagine a better world for others and get it done! Schools are in session and several clubs have completed “Back to School” projects. Congratulations! About 2 weeks ago, I had the opportunity to volunteer alongside with few Rotarians and several non-Rotarians on a school shopping event organized by West Valley Community Services. We shopped at Old Navy, bright and early at 7am dressed up in fancy Rotary garb (aka polo shirts). While fortifying ourselves with coffee and donuts (my favorite, maple glazed), we had the chance to speak about Rotary with the community and the students and some of their parents. An adult matched with a student bought clothing, and 218 students and families were helped that day. Another event brought 48 stuffed backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club. It is very likely that at events across D5170, we would have touched the lives of over a 1000 students and families.
A request from my fellow chair and myself – please fill the simple project data entry form on the D5170 website, https://www.rotarydistrict5170.org/sitepage/community-service so that your good work is visible to others to emulate.
We will be doing something a bit different this year for increasing public awareness of Rotary and our work. The plan is to have ads in local newspapers that cover a certain geography. The reader will be attracted to photos of an identifiable local project or two, and will be directed to visit the local clubs in that area, and a common “I am interested’ link where they can enter their information. More on this at the D5170 Monthly Community Service Zoom meeting on Monday Sept 12th at 5:30 pm. If you have not received an email invite, it means that we do not have your contact info. Please send it to saratogasesh@gmail.com.
With Fall and Winter round the corner, we encourage you to plan work with the community or clubs in your area for a “Spread some Warmth” type of campaign for warm clothing and food. Once again, imagine and enable a better community. Let us have your story here next month.
Sesh Ramaswami and Darcy DeCoite
Co-Chairs, District Community Service