The 38th edition of Sunrise Rotary's Firecracker Run/Walk is back for 2023. That means all three courses will be available - 10K, 5K, and a Kid's 1K Fun Run - and hosted at Harvey West Park. Registration is now open for all events.
If you are interested in volunteering or being a sponsor, please contact us, we would appreciate your support.
Welcome Guests
We're glad you could join us this week. Kalyn Foster Renda, Eric and Noah Brown, Josh Madel, Vernon Nicholson, Dominique de Wit, and Carol van Ausdel.
Guest Speaker
Kalyne Foster Renda, CEO of Monarch Services, joined us to talk about our community's needs for services and how impactful our support is in enabling Monarch to reach, serve, and support the community. Though we won't always see the impact directly, it's important to know that they, with help from us and others, are making a difference.
Community Service
Rotary Earth Day Challenge! April is Earth Month with Earth Day celebrations taking place in Downtown Santa Cruz on Sat. April 22. In solidarity with other Rotarians around the world and developed by the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), our club is promoting a Rotary Earth Day Challenge! Sign up for ESRAG's upcoming 15-Day Plant-Rich Diet workshop to discover one of the most powerful ways you can help humanity live within our planetary means. A Plant-Rich Diet is healthy and a top climate solution - collectively, adding one additional plant-based meal to your weekly routine can substantially reduce greenhouse has emissions.
Watch your email and this space for additional opportunities to support the Pajaro Community. If you're looking for ways to contribute financially now, consider these three pathways to give and know that the funds will be used locally.
Homeless Garden Project Farm Day - Sat. March 25- over a dozen Rotarians and friends helped lay compost on a number of flower beds.
Second Harvest Food Bank - Sat. April 15, 2023 - A couple spots left. Sign up and details at online sign up sheet.
Volunteers Needed at Live Like Coco Run for Reading and Family Festival - Pinto Lake County Park Sunday April 23, 2023 - Sign up and details at online sign up sheet.
Help Pajaro Valley Residents - Club has more plans in the works. In the meantime, check out various ways to help as an individual or family here.
To better understand your household emissions output and tailored ways your household can cut emissions, check out the easy and fun Resilient Santa Cruz community activation platform! Win great prizes just for registering at Resilient Santa Cruz between now and Earth Day! Form or join a team if you are inclined (Will we see a new "Santa Cruz Sunrise Rotary" team?!?)!
Blast From the Past
From Mark Junod, "...ran into this photo from the Mercury News from our Rotary Club event that we participated in right after our club was chartered in 8/1985. All four of us were Charter Members of the Santa Cruz Sunrise Club. Tom's father Bill Mitchell was also a member, and he was also on the team. He "pushed" us at the start. If my memory is correct, we came in 2nd, and only lost to a team of firefighters. "
District Newsletter
You can now access the D5170 Newsletter online or in pdf format.
The primary beneficiary of this year's Firecracker is Girls Inc. of the Central Coast. Girls Inc. delivers life-changing programs and experiences that equip girls to overcome serious barriers to grow up strong, smart, and bold.
Next Meeting
Join us for a discussion with our Exchange Students.
Join us at The Grille at DeLaveaga Golf Course, 401 Upper Park Rd., Santa Cruz-Map. Doors open at 7am and the meeting starts at 7:15. Or you can join us on Zoom!
Save The Date & More
Please consult the Club Calendar for details and links for the items below.
If you have questions about the calendar or need items added, please contact Cathy Bonino.
Time to ramp up our scholarship program. The deadline to apply will be April 13th. Contact Dave Campbell for more info.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Santa Cruz County (BBBSSC) annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser is April 22 and 23. BBBSSC has created a Sunrise registration page and reserved a time for us from 11:45am to 1:00pm on Saturday, April 22. Click the link to sign up as an individual or a team. If spots fill up, more can be added. BBBSSC requests that each bowler donate or raise at least $100 and that each team raise at least $500. Please contact Debra Feldstein with any questions.
Please consider joining Tony Nethercutt on April 26th at an informational dinner at Jalisco for Digital Nest. Learn more about their expansion plans and incredible successes. You are encouraged to bring a friends who you think will be interested in the mission of teaching under resourced kids the digital skills needed to create careers for themselves. Register here:
RYLA 2023 June 24-29 we have secured 6 camper spots. Registration is mid-March. Club members are invited to nominate someone they know. To learn more, contact Dave Mello.
Sunrise Board
* Jerry Souza, President
* Jon Flaniken, Immediate Past
President
* Penni Bengtson,
President-Elect, VP
* Ari Symons,
President Nominee, Secretary
* Jon Winston, Executive Secretary
* Dave Price, Treasurer
* Christopher Smith,
Seargent-at-arms
2nd Year Directors
* Cathy Bonino
* Joe Ferrante
* Tony Nethercutt
* Ken Whiting
1st Year Directors
* Scott Edelstein
* Karen Gosling
* Sanjay Khandelwal
* Linda Rossi
Sunrise Committees
* Club Service: Janet Souza
* Community Service:
Tiffany Wise-West
* Culture and DE&I:
Debra Feldstein and
Arturo Rodriguez
* Fundraising: Rod Caborn
* Membership:
Tony Giannotti and Tom Hart
* Communications:
Tricia Wiltshire Potts and
Steve Landau
* Social Committee: Patrice Keet
* Speakers Committee: Patrice Keet
* The Rotary Foundation:
Rick Hofstetter and
Rod Caborn
* Vocational Services: Cathy Bonino
and Mary Gaukel
* Youth Services: Mark Junod
Rotary Annual Report
Rotary is implementing evidence-based programs that help define and measure our impact. Click to access the Report.
From Mark Junod, 
The primary beneficiary of this year's Firecracker is 
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