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Featured Project

Rancho Cucamonga Rotary Reaches Out to Help South African Preschoolers

Article & Photos by Tracy Wirtes

The Rotary Club of Rancho Cucamonga, California, along with District 5300, just completed a joint project with the Rotary Club of Flamingo, District 9320, in Welkom, South Africa. 

The project involved supplying and installing a 400 square meter fence and playground activity center for the Shiloh Mission Pre-School.  The project will provide the children with the opportunity to improve their motor skills, which helps prepare them for primary school.  Further, the project secures the property which is located in a crime-ridden neighborhood.

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Montebello Rotarians Participate in World Wide Work Day

Article & Photo by Anne Donofrio-Holter

Montebello Rotarians converged upon the Sanchez Adobe recently where they put the club's motto, "Service Above Self," into action as they celebrated Rotarians at Work Day.

Beginning in 2006, on the same day each year, more than 32,000 Rotarians world-wide have participated in a hands-on project in their community.

In celebration of 100 years of Rotary International, Montebello Rotarians adopted the Sanchez Adobe in 2005 as their centennial project.  The club's goal is to continue to enhance Montebello's oldest standing structure by improving the grounds, courtyard and interior of the historical landmark which was built in 1845.

This year, more than 28 Montebello Rotarians, members of the Montebello High School Interact Club, and other community volunteers, fanned out, canvassing the grounds of the Adobe, pulling weeds, cutting tree limbs, collecting cans, bottles and other debris.  In addition, more than 100 drought-tolerant bushes and shrubs, donated by Cook-Hill Properties, were planted to enhance the Adobe's appearance.

"Everyone who joined us here today worked hard and did a great job," said member Bryan Stanek, who spearheaded the project on behalf of the Rotary Club.  "And without the contributions of the Interact students, we would not have been able to finish everything we set out to do."

"Through the vision of Past District Governor Bob Watson from District 5340, every Rotarian in the world has the opportunity to renew our commitment to the timeless message of compassion and generosity of spirit by participating in Rotarians At Work Day," said club president Ted Jones.  "We cannot begin to speculate how people will benefit, both directly and indirectly, from our worldwide one-day efforts."

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Piazza Colori

Article & Photos by Larry Skaggs

The Rotary Club of Green Valley hosted its first annual Piazza Colori event over Mother’s Day weekend in downtown Henderson, NV, in conjunction with the 2009 ArtFest of Henderson™.  

Piazza Colori, which in Italian means “public square colors,” is a fundraiser structured after an Italian Street Painting Festival (I Madonnari).  Both amateur and professional artists were invited to create drawings on the concrete with chalk pastels at the Henderson Events Center Plaza – just like graffiti.  Drawings were created in full view of the public, who were encouraged to talk to the artists or “kibitz.’  The fact that the drawings were washed away at the end of the fest made their beauty even more appealing. 

Local businesses and generous individuals were encouraged to buy “squares” available in sizes from 3’ x 3’ up to 10’ x 10’.  Each block was assigned to an artist.  The sponsor’s name was posted over each block.  In many cases, the sponsor and artist were able to collaborate to determine the design of their square, with the artist creating the selected depiction throughout both Saturday and Sunday, while ArtFest is taking place.

Local celebrity judges selected three winners in both professional and amateur artist categories.  ArtFest visitors were given an opportunity to purchase tickets, which they could place in a container in front of a painting, to vote for their favorite drawings.  The artist obtaining the most tickets received the People’s Choice Award.  Buyers were advised that all of the money raised from the People’s Choice tickets would all be going to PolioPlus.  The voting helped us collect an additional $500 for the fight against polio.

The Piazza Colori event proved a great way for Rotarians to connect with the community, an excellent opportunity for sponsors to obtain business exposure, and a perfect platform for volunteer artists to showcase their talents.  The inaugural event was an all-around success.  More than fifty squares were sold this year, a figure the club aims to double for 2010. The Rotary Club of Green Valley and the City of Henderson are looking forward to making Piazza Colori a regular part of ArtFest in the future.

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