Home | About Our Club | Who's Who  | For Members  |  Calendar  | Bulletin  |  District 5130 | Rotary Int'l |

"Change for Kids" Neighborhood Services Program

Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Dept.

Call to Order

Beginning today’s meeting President Mike welcomed us on this beautiful, April Day. (Raindrops make a beautiful sound.)

Da Flag

Ray Schofield led us in the pledge to the flag.

Da Moment

Janet Codding talked about winter making spring sweeter and about the value of forgiveness. This prompted President Mike to express wonder at Janet’s eternal optimism. That’s one thing we love about her.

Da Visitors

Susan Nowacki led us in welcoming several Visiting Rotarians from the Downtown Club, Rohnert Park, and the Sebastopol Club.

Several visitors were introduced to include Teddy Sipes, Jan Hanson (School Councilor from Piner High School and students), Dennis Hanson (FISH Organization) and Chris Young from Chase Manhattan.

Jim Hinton introduced his “daughter”, Rafaela from Brasilia, Brazil who is also the club’s foreign exchange student.

President Mike extended thanks to Bob “Cannon” Harris for taking photos and Doug Dilly for setting up for the meeting.

Announcements

President Mike announced that Los Robles is noticing that fewer people are eating compared with attending meetings.

We are reminded that if we choose not to eat we still need to pay $5.00 cover charge for beverages and “entertainment”.

Harry Rubins announced the deadline for Matching Foundation Donations (for up to $100.) as May 1. Please get those donations in by the deadline.

Terry Galazzo announced that our club members participated in Rebuilding Together last Saturday. Our $3,000 donation helped to build fencing for a Santa Rosa household in need. Terry reports that it was a wonderful event, involving all four Rotary Clubs (East, West, Sunrise and Downtown). And there were no injuries involving saws and hammers. Thanks to all who participated.

Janet Codding (seen here hugging Chuck Baker) announced a New Member event for Wednesday, April 30, at 4:00 PM. The monthly membership meeting is 5PM on Monday, May 5.

Student Presentations

Bob “Ronin” Zeni introduced Jan Hanson, Scholarship Counselor from Piner High School, as well as the students of the month from Piner. They each shared their aspirations for the future.

Brian Ambrozini is headed for SRJC or Call Poly to study Mechanical Engineering.

Melissa Gonzales hopes to attend Davis as the first in her family to attend University. She wants to study pre-med and become either a Pediatrician or a Pharmacist.

Stephanie Portiere, the eldest child of five plans to attend Davis and stubby Exercise Biology and eventually become a Physical Therapist.

Walden Wong will attend SRJC and then either Berkeley or Davis pursuing a career in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

These distinguished students received plaques for Student of the Month and will be eligible to compete for a Rotary Scholarship. Two scholarships will be awarded one to a female and one to a male student from Piner High School. Congratulations to Piner High and all these fine students.

Presentation of Donations

Chris Rosell presented checks from money raised at our Annual Crab Feed to two worthy organizations in Santa Rosa.

Dennis Hanson, from FISH of Santa Rosa, accepted a $5,000 donation from the club. In Sonoma county 11,000 people a month feel the effects of hunger. Fish is an emergency food pantry that provides emergency food, nutritional supplements, diapers, baby formula and baby food and medicines to those in need. This organization provides free food to 50,000 needy seniors, disabled, and families annually. 50% of those are children. Fish has been operating for 30 years and is the largest agency of its kind in Redwood Empire. 100% of their funds go to the purchase of food. They are an all volunteer agency and purchase all foods at the Sonoma County Food Bank at a low rate per pound. FISH is housed at 1055 Benton St. near North St. If you would like to help they can be reached at 527-5151.

Alberta Zmarzly, Director of Indian Education at the Roseland School District, received funds to support their language arts program for children who are linguistically challenged but identified as gifted. Many of the families are unable to read putting children at a disadvantage.

This program at one of our poorest school districts (90% are eligible to receive free lunches) will be enriched by a special music program by Rotarian, Richard Standard. Children will make their own dulcimers and learn to play them. Music is the one area that challenges all parts of the brain at once and is linked to success with mathematics. 20 Gifted and Talented Education students will benefit from Richard’s program.

(Yes, Alberta is related to Fred Zmarzly.)

Fines & Other Business

President Mike acknowledged Gail Johnson, who celebrated her 14th anniversary (14 happy years) with a trip to Calistoga. Congratulations, Gail, and thanks for the pledge of $100 to the Foundation.

Don Ling, having returned from three weeks in Europe and a 14-day tour of London, Lisbon, Spain and the Canary Islands, was fined $50.00.

Bill Fisher agreed to fine himself $10.00 for a not-so-swell cruise on the Star Princess to Puerto Vallarta, so he can keep his 100% attendance.

Raffle

John Meislahn drew for the special marble, but it wasn’t to be.

Harry Rubins won a nice bottle of DeLoach.

Program

Paula Wrenn, our program chair, apologized to those who were expecting to hear from the Council on Aging.

Instead we were introduced to Ellen Bailey who represented “Neighborhood Services Program” of the Recreation and Parks Department. This new program is uniquely funded by the “Change for Kids” to provide free, after-school recreation and more safe and secure places for youth.

After-school programs: They provide recreational programs and staff support to schools in Santa Rosa. Kids receive homework assistance, engage in physical and creative activities, and are safe after school. The following schools have these services available at this time: Fremont Elementary, Burbank Elementary, Doyle Park Elementary, Brook Hill Elementary, Monroe Elementary, and Comstock Middle School.

Neighborhood Programs: These programs provide children and families access to recreational programs that foster creativity, challenge new skills, encourage imagination and physical activity, and provide positive role models. They hope to connect families with neighborhoods. These programs are: Apple Valley Activity Center, Valley Oak Park Rec Hall, Family Support Center (‘Da Pad) for teens staying at the nearby homeless shelter, and Kid Street Learning Center.

Garden Programs: Garden programs provide opportunities in at-risk and low income and homeless areas in Santa Rosa: Sunflower Urban Community Garden, Kid Street Garden, and Apple Valley Garden. They provide opportunity for training, education, employment and food products to youth and families who attend.

Special Events: this program provides kids new opportunities, and new experiences. Incentives allow children to earn the opportunity to go to WNBA games, Oakland A’s Games, Trips to Concord Water World, and trips to the Snow, experiences these children have never had.

Wow! These are some powerful programs for kids in our community who are most in need of safe places to go while parents struggle to support their families. But how are they funded? YOU CAN HELP: The special funding for these programs comes from citizens like yourself who opt to pay their City of Santa Rosa utility bill rounded up to the nearest dollar. Your “change” will go directly to the after-school “Change for Kids” fund for Santa Rosa kids!! IT’S THAT EASY.

Just look for the insert in your May bill and sign up. Tell someone else to do the same.

Mike passed a bottle of wine to our speaker and wished us all safe travels on slippery rain-soaked streets.

Your Bulletin Reporter: Anne Abrams		Your Editor: Jim Valinoti

* * * * * 

Changes or comments?

Contact Jim Valinoti at valinoti@sonic.net or (707) 829-2300.

Bulletin Archives