Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February (Feb. 16, 2026) to honor the first U.S. President, George Washington. While commemorating his Feb. 22 birth, the holiday was shifted to Mondays by the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create three-day weekends.
Presidents’ Day was proposed for this Monday holiday in 1951, the U.S. government never officially changed the name. In the 1980s, thanks to advertising campaigns for holiday sales, the term became popularized and largely accepted.
The idea behind the name was to create a holiday that did not recognize a specific president, but rather celebrated the office of the presidency. This joint recognition would also celebrate President Lincoln's February 12 birthday within the same period.
This week's speaker is Stephanie Berger, President/Co-Founder of Silver Wishes. She will share the organization's mission of impacting the lives of seniors, one wish at a time. Silver Wishes Inc. was created to let seniors living in Placer County, Orangevale, Fair Oaks, Carmichael, and Citrus Heights know they matter and have a purpose. By granting wishes, Silver Wishes wants to help them experience hope and feel valued.
Speech Contest
Our special guest speakers last week were students for our annual speech contest. The Speech Contest is an event held in February or March of each year. A finite number of students from local high schools work with their Advisors and Rotary Representatives to develop and present a speech to the sponsoring Rotary Club. Winners then proceed to the District Semi-Finals and the National Final.
This year's club winners are Adelyne in 1st place and Sheena in 2nd place. Congratulations to both of them for their fantastic speeches.
Blood Drive
Please mark your calendars for Friday, March 13, as the Victory High School Interact Club will once again be hosting our annual Blood Drive.
This highly anticipated event will take place in the Victory High School Multi-Purpose Room (3250 Victory Drive), with 15-minute appointments starting at 9:15 AM and extending throughout the day until 12:30 PM. If you are interested in saving lives, and who wouldn't be, then please consider donating. For all the information you'll need, please see the event calendar for the flyer with all the details.
Scott & Chris donating blood last at last year's event
Rotary Social
Fellow South Placer Rotarians had a fantastic Paint and Sip social last Thursday, February 12th, with a great turnout. Good fun, fellowship, food, drink, and artistry.
