We had a wonderful meeting last Friday that was action packed. DEspite being Good Friday, we had a great turnout, with several guests.
First, Bob Fatch, Kathleen Blake and Judie Lugo, representing our non-profit Foundation awarded grants to two local organizations. The first check for $6,000 was presented to Nate Grotenhuis, representing ArtLabbe. ArtLabbé is a non-profit art gallery and resource center that provides free art workshops, classes, and programs to the most vulnerable in our community.
The second check for $5,000 was presented to Michelle Erikson, representing Mothers’ Helpers. Mothers’ Helpers provides essential baby items to low-income families throughout Santa Barbara County. They gather baby items from families who no longer need them and distribute them to those who do,
We then presented four Paul Harris pins to those members who have made significant contributions to the Paul Harris Fund. Recognized for their generosity to Rotary were Kathleen Blake, Bob Fatch, Chris Clemens, and Bill Dutton.
Our program, was presented by Past President Chris “Tarzan” Clemens. Chris described his “Anticomfortable” lifestyle which he describes as having three important tenets: physical challenge; live with less; and explore the world. He talked about his journey from being our Club’s youngest President to shedding most material things to challenge his body, live with few possessions, and exploring the far corners of the world. And also working as an online marketing representative for a local Santa Barbara company. I think everyone who attended considered it one of the best programs of the year.
We do not have a meeting this Friday. Our next meeting will be on May 2nd and the program will be Connard Hogan, to talk about his experiences in the Vietnam War.
Enjoy your week.
Jim