By Joel Perlmutter
Our local Rotary club meets every Friday, come what may. In addition to attracting distinguished speakers to educate and inspire the Club members, Rotary of Santa Monica honorably continues its credo of “Service Above Self.”
A good deed was shared by all when Karim Jaude presented a generous check from Rotary to Jay Goldringer, the founder of Food on Foot. This all-volunteer organization feeds the homeless in Venice and Hollywood. The oldest recipient of Food on Foot is a remarkable 105-years-old.
Kudos to Shirley Dowling for orchestrating a successful Literacy Breakfast featuring key speaker Caprice Young. The meeting was well attended by Rotarians, including Norma Barnes and Susan Dawson, and it achieved its goal of enhancing the knowledge of educational needs in our community.
Joselyn Gaulke, daughter of member Paul, returned after a one month Rotary sponsorship in Japan designed to enhance cultural understanding. Joselyn expressed reverence for the respect and values she witnessed in her host country, and felt blessed to have had the Rotary-sponsored experience of a lifetime.
Group Study Exchange provides travel grants to paired districts in different countries to exchange five-member teams composed of four young non-Rotarian professionals and a Rotarian team leader. The next such exchange will be in Sardinia, Italy from April 5th through May 5th. Anyone interesting in serving as a Rotarian leader is encouraged to call Helene Pizzine at 310/547-0831.
“Relay for Life,” a Cancer Awareness and Prevention Walk, was another recipient of Rotary’s philanthropic funds. Judy Neveau thanked the Club for its generosity and hoped Rotary would continue to play an influential role in future Walks.
These, and many more unselfish good deeds, are the lifeblood of our local Rotary Club. More next month.