On Saturday, February 2nd, was the Payless Shoe Event.
Forty nine kids were chosen by Caring Connections and bused to the store by Encounter Church. Nine Rotarians, Rog Rabanera, Bob Frohn, Connie Hui, Jean Seruntine, Tracy McSparren, Doug Easer, Jon Matson, Didi & Dave Davis, helped each child find a pair of shoes and a package of socks. After picking out their shoes, the kids were treated with fancy doughnuts, milk/orange juice, and fun songs by Caring Connections folks before boarding the bus. As always this was a busy and fun event. The kids were so appreciative.
We had a wonderful social event at Rog & Cindy Rabanera's Home.
This past week was busy for the club members. January 31st was the fifth Thursday of the month so instead of the lunch meeting, the members had an evening socialization event. This time it was at Rog & Cindy Rabanera's home. Fourteen Rotarians and 8 guests attended. President Jean made some announcements. We had a wonderful dinner (thank you very much Roger & Cindy). They had great taste bringing in The Naples Rib Co.
January 12TH was the Rotary Club of Bellflower's Showtime Cabaret held at the Pomona Valley Mining Company. There was a silent auction and later, after supper a live auction.
January 12th; the Cabaret was held at the Pomona Mining Company restaurant on a hill high over the Pomona Valley. Didi & Dave Davis, Dr. Howard Davis, Ken & Caroline Hall, Connie Hui, Steve Litzinger, Linda Nesst, Pravin & Knutika Pranav, Dr. Rog & Cindy Rabanera, Jean Seruntine, Marlys Severson, Kathy Stewart, Joe & Rozangela Vasquez, Doug & Lorraine Wilson, Jennifer & Jose Beech, Jon Matson, Jean Michael with her Daughter - Marsha, and guests attended. It is always a fun event for about 100 people. .
The Show Time Cabaret group put on a wonderful show of Broadway songs which we all enjoyed. Actually it was nice to hear songs we knew and could understand the words. One singer asked Steve & Ken to climb on stage and help with a song.
They were troupers. Another singer asked Jean to the stage to help with a Tom Jones song.
Still another sang to Jean Michael & Cindy Rabanera.
Although it rained in the morning, the sun came out so we all enjoyed a beautiful
view of the snow capped mountains and Pomona Valley.
January 17th Connie Hui, Dr. Rog & Cindy Rabanera were at Ramona Elementary School giving kids their 'Free' glasses.
VTL returns every two years to schools that we have already tested to screen new students. They had an optometrist there to make adjustments to the frames as we help fit the 24 children with their brand new 'FREE' glasses. Last fall several Rotarians:- Mike Lundgren, Linda Nesst, Connie Hui, Doug Easer, Rog & Cindy Rabanera were at this school to screen for eyesight problems of these new students. We were there in connection with Vision To Learn & Caring Connections. The students were so nice, polite, and well behaved. They appreciated the glasses. We know they will have a better chance to succeed now.
Some of our $6000.00 Scholarship Fund is distributed to Vocational and the rest to College-bound Students. Some were the first in their families to go on to higher education. They spoke eloquently of their paths to get this far in their lives. Meeting their proud parents confirmed to us again how important family support is. We were so proud to help them on their way to achieving their personal dreams!
Below is the breakdown of their names and information:
2017 Scholarships
Cerritos College Foundation $1000.00 (another $1000.00 will be disbursed at second semester)
Alyssa Coo, Mayfair H. S., associate degree in nursing
Rajiv Lingam, Mayfair H.S., business, plans to transfer to 4-year school
Jessica Trujillo California State University Fullerton $1000.00
Bellflower High School, Kinesiology
Stephanie Mendoza California State University Long Beach $1000.00
Bellflower High School, neonatal nurse, future doctor
Ndiya Usim Regents of the University of California (San Diego) $1000.00
Mike Lundgren brought some of our RYLA attendees today.
Congratulations to the following students who attended the RYLA Leadership Camp on Friday, April 21, 2017 to Sunday, April 23, 2017. RYLA is the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program that encourages servant leadership in youth. These seven students (wish we could have sent more) were selected to attend an all-expenses-paid camp where they were inspired by a diverse group of exceptional motivational speakers and counselors, discuss ethical and social issues of today, and make life-long friends through fellowship activities. These activities are conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect. The result is that these students return to their schools and communities motivated to take on additional leadership roles and to find additional ways to serve.
As a footnote:
RYLA's intent is to encourage students to be more effective servant leaders. RYLA is not a camp intended to teach leadership skills (it is assumed that the students in attendance already possess those skills), however, the following topics naturally arise in the course of RYLA activities and discussions:
Fundamentals of leadership Ethics of positive leadership Qualities of a "servant leader" Importance of communication skills in effective leadership Conflict management and problem-solving Building self-esteem and self-confidence Elements of community and global citizenship Rotary's purpose of service to the community and the world
Our Bellflower High School Interact Charter Celebration.
Our District Governor Greg O'Brien and Senior Assistant Governor of Youth Service were on hand to induct our new club. We pinned the members and officers present and presented them with all the items they needed to show off their new "Vibrant" Club. With so many strong members already attracting new and enthusiast young leaders, the outlook for our new club is very bright. I know we will all come out strong in their support. President Lia is already a force to be reckoned with.
Mike Lundgren brought his long time employee, plant manager, Patrick Turner to our Meeting Today.
Patrick just happens to be a head linesman in the NFL as well. He has been refereeing for many years. We were just lucky enough to have him come and discuss his road to attaining the highest level of football officiating. We peppered him with questions while he passed out official NFL Items to us.
Thanks, Principal Mike for bringing another wonderful program to our meeting.
Today Mike Lundgren brought his students leading Bellflower High's Teen Court Program of the Los Angeles Superior Court.
The Teen Court program is a juvenile diversionary for youthful offenders who commit low level offenses. Over 33 high schools in Los Angeles County participate in the Teen Court Program, and over 80 Superior Court judges volunteer their time to the program. The juvenile who has been diverted to the program is placed on trial with participating high school students asking the juvenile as well as his/her parents critical questions. From this information the participating high school students, the jurors, determine the culpability of the juvenile and recommend a restorative justice sentence for the juvenile. The judicial officer then imposes a sentence. If the juvenile complies with the terms of the sentence then he is deemed to have successfully completed the program and his case is never filed in juvenile court.
We congratulate Bellflower High School for starting and being accepted into this wonderful program.
More than 375 participants and volunteers helped our District raise over $5,000 for PolioPlus. There were more than 75 Interactors and Rotaractors including five from our new club.
We had tons of fun, food, and great entertainment.
This week we were honored to have Dr. James Maggiano.
Dr. Maggiano has a successful Optometry Practice here in Bellflower. Dr. Maggiano is a Southern California native who was drawn to ocular studies early on. He received a Bachelor of Sciences degree from UCLA and went on to receive his Doctorate from University of California at Berkeley, completing his studies in 1987. A happily married man, he divides his time between his family and his busy practice.
Dr. Maggiano donates both his time and resources to his community by often donating free eye exams and glasses to needy family members of Bellflower.
What a wonderful trip we experienced in The Yucatãn.
We were welcomed to Merida by District 4200.
District 4195 partnered with us to make this wonderful International Humanitarian Trip to Merida, Mexico possible.
There were over 100 Rotarians from District 5280 making a difference once again. Among the many service projects, our Rotarians planted over 600 trees, rehabilitated a rural elementary school, volunteered at a diabetes clinic, provided medical and dental supplies, provided musical instruments to an after school program, provided kitchen appliances and supplies to a special needs school, and so much more. Watch the video to see how Rotary is making a difference.
Our district is so unique in putting these wonderful trips together. You really need to experience the heart and mind expansion. Check with your doctor to see if they are strong enough to join us in Columbia next February. Ha, ha....
That's right, Rotary Club of Bellflower partnering with Vision To Learn distributed 83 more pairs of free glasses to students of Bellflower Middle/High School. Making this the eighth school in BUSD that we have served. Now almost 700 kids that were in need of eye correction aid have it! We intend to come back in 24 months to repeat this wonderful project. "Rotary and Vision To Learn, Giving Kids A Chance To Learn"!
More than 50 happy children get new shoes and socks!
The Encounter Church bus pulled up at Payless Shoe Store this morning with over 50 happy children. They were accompanied by Caring Connections Staff and Case Workers. They had come to get some much needed shoes thanks to the Rotary Club of Bellflower.
Thirteen Rotarians along with store employees and Caring Connections personal assisted the children with foot measurements to ensure a perfect pair.
After some socks to match, a little juice and a donut,
the kids were back on the bus in an hour...Pretty happy I'm thinkin'.