2010 Culver City Invitational

I would like to thank all of you who made the Invitational such a great success. We achieved our 3 tiered objective of (1) providing a community service event that gives a positive experience for the athletes and spectators alike, (2) to give back to the community with a hands-on event that has our Club members working side by side with coaches, parents and Rotarians from other clubs, and (3) fundraising to continue with our community service projects.

Past President Jim Machado said, "It was Outstanding. Our best Track Meet ever.

If you weren't able to go to the event here is what you missed: Rotarians working together with Interactors, school officials and other Rotarians and having fun. Over 400 pancake breakfasts were served and the food was really good. The stands were full of people seeing a great track

meet and also seeing Rotarians serving, leading, judging, organizing and giving out medals to the winners. All level of athletes had an opportunity to participate, both boys and girls. It was great visibility for Culver City Rotary in the community."

I lost count of the number of athletes who were there representing the 22 high schools who came to this year's event. I do know that a great number of them started the day with a great breakfast (that they most likely would have skipped to get to the meet) compliments of our Club. This is the second year that we have had the pancake breakfast, and it looks like it has become a trademark of the event.

We added a few new touches this year – a website, advertising on DyeStat and EPI Sports, an Official Program, Professional Judges at many of the events, a hospitality tent with lunch for the coaches, running the concession stand and the addition of Porta Potties to handle our growing crowd.

A special thanks to Carmela Raack who worked untold hours putting together the Official Program. It just would not have happened without her.

Also special thanks to Ann Murakami who handled the purchasing for the concession stand and pancake breakfast. Using her contacts she acquired quality products that were either donated or deeply discounted for us. Ann then oversaw and worked the concession stand that many of you worked at for long hours before, during and after the event.

As Jerry Chabola, Athletic Director of CCHS, said, "The Rotary Model is Service Above Self." "The hard work of Coaches Jahmal Wright and Venus Jewett has demonstrated what teamwork and service mean to our young people at CCHS."

Thru this year's hard work we have set a new standard for next year's Invitational. I look forward to working with all members of the Rotary Club of Culver City and the coaches of CCHS to achieve these goals.

Yours in Service,

Tim Messmer