by Lorine Parks
New President Alex Lopez introduced his Board for the coming year, saying Rotary would be bigger and better than ever. “More participation,” is his goal, and there will be more social events to encourage everyone to get to know each other.
First fundraiser, Alex announced, is our 10K Winners Night. Date is set for September 15 at Embassy Suites where Maurice Casaus is our host. More below.
Alex’s cabinet took turns describing their plans. Barbara Lamberth returns as Secretary, and she announced the District 5280’s Foundation Million Dollar Dinner, October 28 at the JW Marriott. Downey traditionally takes a table or two, so sign up with Barbara to join in the fun.
We are committed to help TLC, “True Lasting Connections,” in their work with needy families in Downey. TLC is a family resource center administered by the Downey Unified School District. We collect, on a quarterly basis, items for personal hygiene such as socks and slippers, shampoo, razors, toothbrushes and deodorant. Next collection date is July 25, so plan to bring your contributions and leave them with Barbara at the sign-in Hospitality Table.
Among the new leaders, Nate Mahoney and Daniela Rodriguez will be in charge of the one of our signature events, the 10K Winners Night. Inaugurated under the presidency of Alex’s dad Raul in 1994, this event provides unrestricted resources for us to fund many of our local and miscellaneous charitable causes. The evening features dinner and entertainment as well as the suspenseful count-down of calling out the number of each ticket sold until only one – the winner – remains.
It’s an elimination game, so the finale can be dramatic. One option is for the two remaining number holders to decide to pool their chances and split the top prize, and stop the countdown there. Would you rather 1) split $10,000 two ways, or 2) take a chance on winning it all, or 3) lose everything? Come and see how it works.
Tickets are $100 each and each club member is responsible, for buying or selling at least one. Someone will win $10,000. There will be intermediate prizes, and our club is always a big winner too. There’s a bonus prize for selling the winning ticket, so the wealth is spread around. See who can break John Lacey’s record for ticket sales.
Rich Strayer is our International Chair, and he urged Rotarians to go on a humanitarian trip this year. February is the date for the Guatemala trip, a week in the beautiful highlands and colonial cities of that country. Participants get to meet the people and see Rotary dollars at work, and help keep the Guatemala Literacy Project moving along.
Jenette Lopez is going to be her husband’s Youth Service Chair. This year, the Rotaract Clubs at Warren and Downey High would like some of our members to come to their fun events and fund raisers, to share the excitement and lend some generational experience.
Hans Fritz the Public Relations Chair hopes to generate more exposure for what the club achieves, particularly in Downey community projects.
Dan Fox urged everyone to read the HubBub. It’s a communication tool and also a morale booster. “It’s your Bub.” Let Dan know if you prefer to have a hard copy mailed to you.
Doug Baker is going to be our Program Chair, and Doug was with us today. He already has the program speakers signed up through October. Doug says he is “delighted” to be active with us again, after all the contributions he has made to the District, serving as District Governor not once but twice.
Doug promises programs that will be entertaining, informative, and “only borderline weird.”
As an example, for this coming Tuesday July 18 Doug announced the topic as “TRAINS, NO PLANES, BUT 43 TEENAGERS.” Diane Davis will come and narrate her cross-country experience chaperoning Peace Fellowship Exchange students. Doug promised to keep us awake.
Doug goes on to say, “Is this Heaven-sent or a trip from the other place? Imagine being on a train, for a month, with 2 or 3 other adults and over 40 teenagers from all over the world. This trip has actually happens each and every year in our Rotary District and has for more than two decades!