Looking Ahead
Looking forward, twenty-five years seems far in the future. Genealogically, 25 years is considered a generation. Birth, school, commencing our careers, perhaps children, and before we can account for the past year, a couple of decades have transpired. Memories of our childhood, youthful adventures, maybe a few misadventures, yet we now are both survivors as well as thriving beneficiaries of our better decisions, successful guidance of mentors and peer support.
Peter Hoberg reminded us in one of his “nerd notes” that going solo may be a fast track, but going together is the long distance gainer. He knows: Pedaling from Eureka to Petaluma with a peloton of fellow Rotarians who generated the enthusiasm to garner just shy of $100,000 to eradicate polio and other childhood diseases.
Peter’s cycling is one of many Sunrise members’ efforts to leverage interest and support to club projects. Olin Leasher heads up Sunrise TEAM ALS Walks, Leroy lasso’s home and garden crews for his Golden Hammer sorties, John Jones biennial vision and dental missions to Nicaragua continue to transform both Sunrise members and families in addition to the thousands of Nicaraguan’s over the years who can see better and enjoy improved oral health. Ezbon Jen’s commitment to our Centennial Dental Project improves countless Sonoma County children’s oral health as well. Ross Andress, Stacey Drucker Andress, Merle Hayes and Carolyn Anderson have ongoing legacies at Elsie Allen High School through Interact and Ag Boosters. Our list can go on: How many of you have been touched by our 30 + year relationship with Kagoshima Japan, and now Hiroshima through SRKSEP? Steve Amend and Shauna Lorenzen are quintessential ambassadors of Goodwill and Better Friendship to dozens of young people~and adults, bridging an ocean and generations toward more sustainable international understanding. Jack Strange and Eloise Tweeten have mentored teens, inspiring them to service above self while discovering confidence and skills within themselves otherwise latent.
Does 1995, twenty-five years ago seem that distant? Sunrise was just a kid at 9. For those of you who were here then, take a bow, and look ahead. For all of us, is 2045 a date for a science fiction flick? Well, maybe. Regardless, we have the advantage of perspective; our experience informs us youth need continued encouragement and guidance. Attention to Public Health benefits everyone. Investing in our future and our succeeding generations future both here and abroad is what we have been doing, responding to our motto of Service Above Self.
President Elect Paul O Rear presented an introductory roll out of our emerging Sunrise Foundation Service Fund. It is a path providing our vision visible footprints toward more robust and sustainable resources.
Roary Connects the World! Let’s keep up the construction!!
