September 23, 2014 

Meeting called to order by Past President Ron at 12:30 pm

Pledge: Paul Treanor

Thought:  Davina Polanco, “Not my circus, not my monkey.” - an old Polish proverb

Guests:  Phil Dundas of The Lanscape Company, Jorge Zamora of Watsonville Police Dept., and Ed Gagne of Bailey Properties

Visiting Rotarians: Ralph Miljanich [Watsonville], Bill Witmer [Cupertino – past president], Allan Dow [Santa Cruz Friday]

Correspondence and announcements:

Board meeting this Thursday at Vince’s – 6:00 p.m.

Interact Fall Leadership Conference September 28   8:30 am -3:30 pm at Independence High School in San Jose. Also reminder of Avenues of Service event on Wednesday, October 15 at Doubletree Hotel, San Jose.

Patsy: in collaboration with Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise we are collecting pajamas all through this month for local shelters.  All sizes appreciated.  Also reminder of Red Cross event “Celebrate the Red” September 27

Trina: Watsonville Fire Department  BBQ October 18 to benefit the Firehouse Museum and project to re-paint the firehouse

Ben: barrel wrap for Second Harvest Foodbank on September 27 breakfast at 7:30, work 8:00 – 10:00

Katie: 50^th Annual Watsonville Fly-in and Airshow October 11 - 12

Kathy Morrow: has a sublet available in November for several months while she is in India. Speaking of India, Kathy’s work with  Pemako Health Initiative got good news this week – the bank account there has opened.

Detective:  Carl Pimentel fined several Freedom Rotarians $5 each for being here, not being here, for just being.

Raffle: Ron Sandidge gave away a magic wand to Dave Kegebein who says Lynn Grossi performs magic at the Fairgrounds; a Rotary megaphone to Davina for the upcoming Richard King Rotary Youth Speech Contest; a 2014 District 5170 directory  to Rich.

Program feature:

Speaking with us today about Project Play Africa is Mike Mitchell, a ramblin’ kinda guy who has lived on four continents - raised in the San Francisco Bay area, went to school in Galway, Ireland, has worked in Africa and now resides in Brazil.   Mike attributes his compassion for children and love of soccer to these life experiences.  Mike attended California State University, Chico earning a Bachelors degree in Physical Education and played for Chico State’s men’s’ soccer team from 1977 to 1980. Mike wrote his Masters thesis describing Project Play.  There he played for Team Hope of Zinder one of the local men’s soccer team, becoming the only white man playing in the country.  Mike lives in Brazil with his wife, Maristala, and son, Keegan. Mike considers himself a grassroots philanthropist since serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger, West Africa 20 years ago.  Unfortunately, his enthusiasm and inspiration alone were not enough to make his dream a reality.  Over the last five years with the help of friends who believed in his vision and generosity of many donors, Project Play has become a reality.  Project Play is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children through the sport of soccer.  Mike says, “We deliver soccer balls to impoverished nations of Africa with the goal promoting healthy, fulfilling lives for children. I know a soccer ball can have an impact in children’s lives. “

http://www.projectplayafrica.org/

Adjournment: 1:30 PM