Community Service Opportunities

Relief funds set up to assist those impacted by California wildfires
 
As you know, the Los Angeles area has been devastated by large fires that are burning out of control in several areas. Many thousands of homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated.
 
Our Rotary colleagues in the affected Districts - Districts 5280 and 5300 - have activated District Disaster Relief Funds to assist the victims of the fires. District 5280 (Los Angeles) has also created a Resource Directory and online spreadsheet for In-Kind Donations. 

To access information and links to District 5280's Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund and other resources, please click HERE.

To access information and a link to District 5300's Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund, please click HERE. 

Thank you,

Daniel C. Himelspach
RI Director 2023-25
 
District joins clubs to support relief for hurricane victims
District 5495 has been active in supporting our Rotary Clubs in other parts of the country. 
 
Last year, with the Scottsdale Sunrise Rotary Club taking the lead, D5495 and multiple club support was able to contribute over $45,000 to two clubs heavy impacted by Hurricane Helene.  The two Clubs, Rotary Club of Asheville and Rotary Club of Ewotah shared the funding and were able to provide significant assistance to their local communities with financial and material assistance as well as volunteer efforts. 
 
Our DG Elect, Jim Schmidt, with Mesa West was on the ground helping cut trees and branches to allow access to heavily damaged area.  Efforts lead by Rotary Club of Scottsdale Sunrise Foundation, the Governor’s Line and the Grants Committee of Tom McIarty and Dale Gray, coordinated the fundraising, distribution and report writing efforts for the following Clubs:  RC Tempe South, RC Glendale, RC Mesa West, RC Scottsdale Sunrise, RC Scottsdale,  RC Phoenix 100, RC Verde Valley, RC Scottsdale North, RC Peoria North, and RC Prescott Frontier. 
 
The District was able to match the donations with a 2:1 match making Club donations of $1,250 and a District Match of $2,500 for this effort.
Rotary Club of Scottsdale North lends support to local food bank
Members of the Rotary Club of Scottsdale North once again this year helped the Foothills Food Bank with their annual Adopt-A-Family Program.
 
In all, 186 families registered resulting in 600 individuals receiving VISA cards, games, books and blankets.  
 
The event was filled with music, food, games and even Santa Claus.  The Holiday Season will be a little brighter for hundreds of children, families, and seniors within our community. As well as helping with the cooking and distributing, our club also donates for the event.
 
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Clark's Market donates over $2,300 to Sedona Village Rotary Club

Clark’s Market in the Village of Oak Creek donated $2,381.75 to the Sedona Village Rotary Club as part of its “Non-Profit Monday” initiative. This generous contribution represents 5% of Clark's register proceeds from a single day, exemplifying their dedication to giving back to local causes.

This donation will be combined with proceeds from the Rotary Veteran’s Raffle (taking place at Clark’s Nov 10-11), and directed to the Prescott Veterans Medical Center. Funds will go toward essential patient needs, helping to support veterans in our region who rely on this vital facility.

The Rotary Club of Sedona Village  thanks Clark’s Market for their impactful partnership, which will make a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans at Prescott Veterans Medical Center.

For more information, contact Chuck Marr, at president@sedonavillagerotary.org

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Rotary Community Garden Fall Monarch Festival a Village success

Submitted by C. Marr
Rotary Club of Sedona Village
 

A welcoming fall day drew garden enthusiasts to the Rotary Community Garden on October 19 for the Fall Monarch Festival & Plant Sale. The event featured engaging presentations on fall gardening, beekeeping, and the captivating migration of monarch butterflies, offering something for participants of all ages to enjoy.

The festival was enriched by contributions from several community organizations, including the Hummingbird Society, Gardens for Humanity, Verde Valley School students, and the Sedona Bee Company. Together with Rotary, they created a vibrant and educational morning for all attendees.

The Rotary Club of Sedona Village, proud sponsor of the Village Community Garden, provides garden space for local residents. Additionally, dedicated Rotary garden beds grow produce that is donated to local food banks, supporting the community with fresh, healthy food options.

The Fall Monarch Festival was a shining example of community spirit, education, and environmental stewardship coming together in the Village.

East Valley Rotarians turn into 'rosarians!'
 
The Mesa West Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Tempe South recently combined their efforts to renovate the rose garden at Mesa Community College.
 
The revitalization project took place over several weekends in September. According to Mesa West President Gerald Paulus, over 40 Rotarians volunteered to help give a facelift to the community garden.
 
"The Rose Garden is truly a gem in the east valley and the largest rose garden in the Southwest," he said.
 
The two clubs provided funding and over 200 hours of volunteer hours to beautify the garden.
 
"We saw a need and asked our members to help us make the Rose Garden beautiful again. They stepped up along with the Tempe South Rotary Club. Together, we will bring the Rose Garden back to its original beauty."
 
Work included repairing a garden monument, painting walls, power washing the structures, repairing irrigation lines, pulling weeds and more.