NEXT MEETING: October 5, 2018

The RIchmond Community Foundation

Richmond Community Foundation strives for healthy, sustainable communities in Contra Costa County that are safe and diverse, and where families thrive and children are given new hope for a bright and abundant future.

In partnership with the community, RCF inspires leadership and share the vision for work in five areas: Economic Development, Health, The Physical Environment, Education, and Public Safety. Our guest speaker, Jim Becker, CEO, will share how the organization is implementing its mission.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

No Announcements were recorded for this day.

MEETING OF September 28, 2018

Welcome

President Jerry Feagley welcomed everyone to the Mall at Hilltop Conference Room.
Sid reminded us to “Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

While there were no visiting Rotarians, we welcomed Jamil Walker and Jon Lawlis’ daughter, Alissa.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

There were no Recognitions today.

• Jan Brown had happy dollars for the Cal Bears football team who is playing the Ducks on Saturday evening.
• Ric Ambrose had happy dollars for the Oregon Ducks football team. Connie blew her duck quacker in excitement.

PROGRAM

The ESCAPE Club

Speaker John Iwawaki from the E.S.C.A.P.E. program at DeJean Middle School updated us on the activities and goals of the organization. Their goals are to build the capacity of the students and their families to enjoy outdoor activities. Thus, the outdoor activities are intentionally designed to be cheap and easy.

The program was started by John in 1999. He and a friend have operated the program together since then. They show up each week at ½ hour orientation meetings to teach the kids about the location they will be going to, the related flora and fauna at that location and what they will be doing. The meeting room is equipped with games, activities and sports that the kids enjoy after the orientation meetings.

Outdoor activities such as rafting, skiing, hiking, visiting the beach, and camping take place once a month on a Saturday. There are 9 Field Trips per year. ` The annual schedule is planned ahead by John. There have been over 160 Field Trips since the program started. Thirty to Forty kids usually attend the Field Trips.

John presented a slide show of photographs of the kids while on several of the past field trips during his presentation.

He thanked the group for our continued support of the E.S.C.A.P.E. program and reminded us that he can always use the help of drivers on the Field Trips if we are interested in volunteering.

- Connie Tritt, Rotating Scribe