Well, another Calendar year is coming to a close, but it's just half of "my year" as said by any Rotary president. This half-way point for a Rotary President, however is a great time to stop and assess what we have accomplished so far, and wow-we've been busy! We started off in July with a request for 2 siblings in the SB County Foster Youth system in need of basic back to school school supplies and clothing. In just one meeting we raised over $600.for the "2 Sisters" campaign. Then in August, thanks to Don Jack & Bill Dutton's leadership with our International Service of Rotary, we were able to raise $1801 which was then matched with a Rotary District Grant creating a total of $3098 for Natun Guatemala to continue a Tutoring Program there.
Michael Daly took on the responsibility of Vocational Chair within months of joining us (yay!) and helped to organize our first Rotary Teacher Excellence award for $1000 in September.
After only a few months of preparation came our 2nd attempt at fundraising with Trivia Night. There were certainly some bumps along the way but with some great assistance from co-chair Stephanie Ornani, we did manage to eek out $1200 for ShelterBOX USA.
We may not have raised much money, but our ad was plastered all over the media and thats always a plus. In the middle of all of that however tragedy struck some our Rotary family due to a housefire that destroyed just about everything. Knowing Stacey Lydon and Matt Nehmer basically needed to start over with many home goods, you all rushed to the rescue with generous donations, and it was heart-warming to say the least. Just a few weeks later, there was Staceys smiling face, along with her daughter, Samara working at our big Rotary Group 8 Rise Against Hunger event in November thanks to Garrett's leadership. Along with many of you, we packaged 15,000 meals that day!
Finally for our Holiday project, with Jim Stretchberry at the helm in my absence, you all raised $1250. for CASA ..AND...10 of you shopped and put together 10 full gift bags with about $150. in gifts for kids in the CASA foster care program. I also forgot to mention with Judie Lugo's enthusiasm, you raised your hands again at Halloween for $600. in Halloween Candy for P.A.L.'s Trunk or Treat!
Let me just toss in: We also spawned an Rotary Interact program at GVHS, thanks to Stacey's daughter, Samara Goodlett! Rotarians are amazing! I am looking so forward to the second half of "my year" keeping this powerful force of the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara going into 2026! See you at the Rotary Holiday Party Thursday and our 1st meeting January 16th at the University Club!
(extra special thanks to Don Jack and Jim Armstrong for keeping me on the Rotary Rails through all of this activity)
