Stories

 

The San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club proudly donated $2000 to the Foundation for the Children of the California's, supporting its mission to provide essential medical care and mental health services to underserved children and families on both sides of the border. This contribution helps ensure that children facing financial hardship receive the care and support they need to thrive.

 

 

The "Painting in Paris," fundraiser inspired by a chic Parisian flair was a tremendous success. While sipping on champagne guests painted an Eiffel Tower masterpiece under the guidance of a distinguished art teacher. The elegant evening also featured a two course dinner as guests mingled and enjoyed live background music performed by a renowned guitarist.
 

The festivities continued as attendees modeled down the red carpet showcasing fashionable a la mode French couture ensambles. Three best dressed guests were recognized and awarded an elegant travel kit for their future journeys to Paris. The memorable evening concluded with dancing, music and exquisite finger deserts, all while celebrating fellowship, community, and the spirit of Rotary.

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club proudly supported the Thousand Smiles Foundation. Maria Jose Marmanillo represented our club at the annual function. Thousand Smiles provides free medical care to low income children with cleft lip.

       

Maria Jose Marmanillo, our club's dedicated treasurer, proudly represented our club at the Mental Health Initiatives Conference, contributing to meaningful discussions and strengthening our commitment to mental health advocacy and awareness. The event was held at the Gaylord Resort in Chula Vista. 

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club members attended the Club Learning Leadership seminars, where our very own Ricardo Banuelos and Reynaldo Silva participated as distinguished panelists. They shared with fellow Rotarians the inspiring story behind Transform Art, a musical instrument academy they co-founded to provide disadvantaged youth the opportunity to learn and appreciate the art of playing music.
 

Through music, education, mentorship, and creativity they are making a lasting impact in the lives of our young youth and empowering the next generation through the transformative power of the arts. 

A wonderful evening for the Rotary Foundation 5340. The Legacy Lights Dinner was a great success. Outstanding Rotarians unite to make a positive impact in communities from around the world🌎.

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club members participated in a business networking event in Chula Vista, fostering meaningful connections with local business leaders, community partners, and fellow professionals. The event provided an   excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships, promote collaboration, and share the Rotary mission of "Service Above Self," in the community.               
 

 Georgina Serrano, esteemed Rotarian hosted a social meeting in Coronado. It was a fun filled day of fellowship, collaboration, planning, and celebration. Thank you Georgina for modeling what exemplifies to be a true Rotarian. 

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Caborca, Mexico established a sister club relationship. The Exchange of Flags Ceremony presided by President Lourdes Valdez, was celebrated; a cherished Rotarian tradition symbolizing friendship, unity and international service. 

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club donated $300 to the The Three Kings event. More than 10,000 toys were given to children with disabilities. Our club was represented by our treasurer Maria Jose Marmanillo and our Assistant Governor elect Maryzella Juarez-Uribe

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club members Luz Maria Wilson-Founder, Dulce Cazares-Founder and Maria Jose Marmanillo-Treasurer participated in the creation of 5340 District Rotary Rose Parade float. 

Maria Jose Marmanillo, Treasurer of San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club volunteered at the "Adopt an Angel"  holiday function. This is a traditional event organized by the Rancho Santa Fe Rotary Club, to grant disadvantaged children a gift during the holiday season. 

President Lourdes Valdez invited guest speakers Lorena Gurule-Montes, Anthony Millican and Kathia Bustillos from the Foundation for The Children of Las California to our club's holiday party. An informative presentation about the foundation's mission and purpose was given. A petition by our guest speakers was made to support their mental health clinic which provides services to children from both sides of the border between San Diego and Tijuana. Our club donated more than 50 holiday goody bags to the children of the foundation. It was a captivating evening of fun, fellowship, and acts of service. A special shout to Lali Barhoumi, Club Service Director for hosting our holiday celebration.

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club adopted a child for the holidays from Casa Hogar an orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. Toys and clothing was provided. Children are housed in this facility because parents are in jail or in rehabilitation. 

 

✨A night to remember✨San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club Paella and Wine Tasting fundraiser was a success. President Lourdes Valdez extends a heartfelt thank you to all of our generous sponsors, fellow Rotarians and friends for supporting us. It was a magical evening,  where the community united to support common causes;  such as closing educational gaps and cycles of poverty.

San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club had the honor of welcoming Governor Luis Carranza and Assistant Governor Mora De Murguia at Cal Private Bank, Downtown San Diego. The meeting was presided by President Lourdes Valdez. It was an extraordinary Governor's meeting where our Governor Luis Carranza shared a motivating heartfelt message. In his story he stated, "why rotary matters to him and why service, when done with love, truly changes lives."

 

Dr. Luff was our guest speaker at our club's meeting. He shared an inspirational testimony of perseverance. Dr. Luff informed the club of different avenues of providing assistance to homeless individuals. 
 

Three new members were inducted by Assistant Governor Mora de Murguia. 
Tatiana Barhoumi, Maria Toscano, and

Maria Pedraza. 

 

 

Maria Jose Marmanillo, represented San Diego Downtown Evening Rotary Club at the XXIV USA-Mexico Friendship Conference and Global Grant Exchange.

 

October 8, 2021 Meeting

For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.

 

After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.

What is it like taking a large team to Africa?  It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.

A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.

Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."

 

The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.