On December 4th, Ruthie Abelson Olivas and Shawn Dunning presented a check to Kelli Barram, Plant to Plate, to fund interns’ stipends, helping them to build their resumes and open doors for further employment opportunities.

The Plant to Plate Internship Program mentors, empowers, and prepares high school students to enhance their skills and advance their employment opportunities through training in organic gardening and the culinary arts.

They provide an integrated experience that builds job and life skills, fosters resilience, and fosters meaningful engagement in the fight against climate change.

If you’d like more information about Plant to Plate go to https://plant2plate.org/

Rotarians at work!

On Wednesday, November 20,  Richmond Rotarians Rolanda Wilson and Don Lau volunteered at the Community Village Holiday Feast Food Pantry which provided turkeys and other food for mostly seniors in need in the community. Richmond Rotary provided funding and was listed as one of their sponsors. We are thankful that we could provide support for their program. Happy Thanksgiving all!

On October 30th, Richmond Rotary President Henry Moe and Treasurer Rolanda Wilson distributed $100 checks to all 32 teachers at Peres K-8 School. This program started many years ago by Rotarian Erle Brown is our way of recognizing the incredible dedication of our teachers.

Thank you teachers for all that you do for our students.

Don Lau stopped by CocoKids to drop off a check from Rotary to support their upcoming Holiday Toy and Food program. Grant supported by Rotarian Yenny Garcia and submitted by Carmina Salcedo. Season of giving coming fast.

Side note…Don Lau’s first job in Richmond was with CocoKids as West Area Organizer in 1976.

On October 23rd, Rotary President Henry Moe reported that St David’s has purchased 15 Emergency Backpacks using a grant from Richmond Rotary. The school, for safety reasons, needed to have emergency supplies in each classroom and other spaces where students are present.

Members and friends from Rotary Club of Richmond, California were hosted by NIAD Art Center for a delightful evening viewing the current exhibit featuring artists Heather Hamann and Michael Nunez, touring the studio space and enjoying snacks and drinks. The event was an auction item benefiting Rotary and saying thank you from NIAD for the ongoing support!!

Richmond Rotary was proud to provide support to the West Coast Chess Alliance for the 5th Richmond Chess Festival on Saturday 10/12.
T C “The Black Knight” Ball thanked Don Lau and Rotary and sent the following: “Encouraging adults to engage a local youth in a game of chess. One of the hidden treasures of the game of chess is that it is a multigenerational, mentally stimulating game that enhances diversity and bringing people together.”

Embraced by the warmth of the support by Richmond Rotary Club, Sanyu embarked on a journey of empowerment. Through the unwavering guidance at Kisa Foundation Uganda, she honed her skills in tailoring where she could stitch her dreams into reality with every thread she wove.

With tearful gratitude, she has on and on whispered her thanks to Richmond Rotary Club through Kisa foundation Uganda, for they had not only dressed her in skills but also adorned her life with a new found hope.

Richmond Rotarian Josh Rosales and the Peres Clinic team had a fantastic time at Peres Elementary’s annual Back to School Fair on Saturday, Aug 17th! We raffled off several back-to-school care packages and introduced ourselves to parents and students.

Having a dental clinic on school grounds provides students with easy access to routine dental care. It also allows parents to continue working without taking time off for dental appointments.

This convenient setup helps reduce dental emergencies, thus increasing school attendance and improving students’ ability to focus in class.

If your child attends Peres Elementary School in Richmond, be sure to stop by the school’s front office to schedule an appointment!

Team work makes the dream work!

On Monday, Aug 12th, Richmond Kiwanian (and Rotarian) Yenny Garcia organized a School Supply Drive for families at GRIP. Yenny had support from her fellow Kiwanians and Rotarians who brought 60 backpacks filled with school supplies to the GRIP Souper Kitchen today. Thanks to all who participated. School opens next week.

Richmond Rotary’s International Committee has been involved with the Help a Life Foundation school project in Debre Markos, Ethiopia for many years thanks to our Club members Menbere Aklilu and Norm Lundberg.

Attached are youth and 2024 University graduation photos to give you an idea of how these girls have grown into successful women.

Emebet Geremew graduated from Wolayta Sodo University and is now a nurse. Bezawit Fekadie graduated from the University of Debre Markos in Business Management and works for Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. An example of just 2 of many young ladies who have become college graduates.

On Thursday, August 1st, Richmond Rotary partnered with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, YMCA of the East Bay and California Highway Patrol to offer a Child Car Seat Inspection to make sure children were in the correct car seat that was correctly installed. An important safety event for our parents and their children.

Richmond Rotary was proud to provide funding to support NIAD purchasing a portable handicap ramp with handrails and a set of 25 headsets to enable simultaneous Spanish translation. Thanks to Richmond Rotarian and NIAD Board member Karen DiDomenicis and Rotarian Henry Moe for being our liaisons on this project. NIAD artist Rebecca Jantzen said “The ramp! I could not have attended otherwise”.

The refurbishing of the Richmond Art Center main gallery is now complete (see attached new photos). Richmond Rotary is please to have assisted with the cost. Looks beautiful!!

Aparajita Richmond Mothers’ School
Khulna, Bangladesh

Excepts from the letter we received:
“This is our happiness to tell you about our days and wok in school. 25 mothers are operating 25 home based little schools. Each Amorak mother teaches 5 children between 5-10 years. We teach them for a few years and develop their basic learning skills. After that their parents admit them to higher grades in formal education.

Thank you very much for your support to our mother-school and the children we are teaching.”

Taslima, Akhi, Anni, Mim and Rina
Mothers of the school

The Rotary Community Services Committee Mahalo Party had the unveiling of the banner of the organizations we supported in Richmond and throughout the world in 2023-2024. The Community Services team did an amazing job. Go Richmond Rotary!!!

Richmond Rotary is partnering with RCF Connects SparkPoint Contra Costa West. RCF Connects CEO and Richmond Rotarian James Becker sent the following information on how their grant will be used: “We’re here to assist individuals with rental support, LYFT rides, and navigating paperwork. Our team is dedicated to making these resources accessible and straightforward to our clients and community members. We’re all about making things easier and accessible to our clients.” Madelyn Ramirez, Co- Director SparkPoint Contra Costa West.

Richmond Rotary is proud to partner with West County Salesian Youth Club by providing funding for their upcoming Summer Program.

Thanks to Board President John W. Ziesenhenne and Richmond Rotarians and Board members Nakele Obleton Rechenauer and Henry Moe for your volunteer support for the Club. Have a great summer program.

A team of Richmond Rotarians stopped by the Adolescent Parenting Program on May 7th to learn more about the current program and provide the teen moms with gift bags for Mothers Day, Thank you to Teacher Dr Mary Hughes-Tutass for your dedication to the program and the young moms. Richmond Rotary’s involvement with supporting teen moms started in March 1996 when Rotarians helped convert the FEAST Program classroom into an infant center on the J F Kennedy High School campus. Rotary will need to provide additional advocacy and support to enhance and enrich the program.
Special thanks to Rotarian Darlene Quenville for coordinating our support program.

On Friday, May 3rd, Don Lau dropped off Richmond Rotary’s annual contribution to support the amazing volunteers who work at the Richmond Emergency Food Pantry. He got to visit with REFP Board member Linda L Young, Program Manager Patricia Davidson and the hard working crew as they prepared to provide much needed food to their community. Thanks REFP for providing this much needed service.

On May 3rd Don Lau visited with Richmond Art Center Executive Director Jose Rivera and Community Engagement Director Amy Spencer to drop off a donation to RAC to refurbish the floor in the main gallery. The current display is the WCCUSD Student Art Show (we supported their reception last year). Once that display comes down the floor work will start.

The latest from Rotary Volunteer Director Dr Josh Rosales at the Tanita Peres Dental Clinic. A big Thank You to Dr Brian Hathcoat for his volunteer service at the Clinic.

On April 30th, Richmond Rotarians got to spend an afternoon observing the 3rd grade after school Book Club that we sponsor with Orinda Rotary Club.

Thanks to Ken Jew of Orinda and Erle Brown of Richmond for starting the program. This is the fourth year of the 10 week program and this year they read 4 different versions of the Cinderella story (Mexican, French, Egyptian, and Filipino). After reading the stories the students wrote their own Cinderella story. Thanks to Peres Principal Christy Titong Chen and the three 3rd grade teachers Cathy Baker, Elizabeth Haynes-Mumford and Kayontaya Pace.

On April 24th, Richmond Rotary was pleased to provide YES Nature to Neighborhoods with funding for 5 summer camperships.

YES was established in 1999 by Diane Mintz as a means to provide enrichment opportunities for young people in Richmond who had limited access to the outdoors. For the past 25 years, YES has provided youth and their families with a variety of outdoor experiences and leadership development programs.

Rotarians at Work! Thanks to Rotarians Nakele Obleton Rechenauer and Rolanda Wilson for organizing our support for the Eastshore Neighborhood Council Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Thanks to our Rotary Volunteers Don Lau, Shawn Dunning, Mac Lingo, Tiffany Harris, Darlene Drapkin, and Maria Tuttle. Fun time in the sun with children and families. Happy Easter

On March 26th, Don Lau stopped by Salesian College Preparatory to drop off a Rotary donation to support the installation of a new Girls Softball scoreboard. Donation was sponsored by Richmond Rotary President-elect Henry Moe and presented to Girls Softball coach Meghan Bradbury and CFO Marc Colelli.

On March 27th, the Richmond Rotary Club enjoyed an evening fundraising for West County Salesian Youth Club (WCSYC) at the annual Bagna Cauda: garlic infused Italian Dinner, Ciabatta, Wine, Auction, and Ice cream Pops for dessert.

The Richmond Rotary Volunteers on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Salesian College Preparatory.

March 24th, Richmond Rotary was proud to partner with SOS Richmond to provided tents, rain gear and boots to our unhoused residents. Richmond Rotarian and SOS Board Chair Tom Herriman is our liaison with SOS.

On February 29th at GRIP’s Annual Meeting, Rotary members Florian Santos and Don Lau presented GRIP with this year’s donation to kickoff fundraising for new cupboards for the Souper Kitchen. GRIP also introduced new board member Ruthie Abelson Olivas.

Feb 2nd
Don Lau and Yenny Garcia (BAGC Board member) stopped by Bay Area Girls Club to drop off a check to support their upcoming Men Who Cook fundraiser on April 14.

They had an opportunity to visit with the young women who were assisting with doing inventory for the Multicultural Bookstore. Thanks BAGC Executive Director Tiffany Harris for your work in the community.

Rotarians at Work!

Richmond Rotarian Dr. Josh Rosales, Dr. Brian Hathcoat and Dr. Stephen Schwarcz of The Tanita Peres Clinic had a very busy January.

On January 25th, Don Lau had opportunity to drop off a check from Richmond Rotary and visit with the Children’s Art Studio Richmond. He visited with Director Maria Tuttle and sat in on group reading time and observed their art projects.

Maria is also working with Peres K-8 School to do a prekinder program. Richmond Rotary funding was for art supplies.

Jan 11, 2024
Don Lau presented a contribution from Richmond Rotary to the Richmond-Shimada Friendship Commission to assist with the travel cost for a student ambassador’s trip to Japan. Our Club is also looking forward to hosting the student ambassadors from Shimada at our meeting on March 22. The Richmond-Shimada relationship was started in 1961.

December 16
SANTA’S BACKUP
Richmond Rotary was proud to partner with the Annual Richmond Fire and Police Toy and Food program by providing bikes. Thanks to retired Fireman Rod Woods for starting the program in 1989. Over 50 volunteers providing holiday smiles to 500 families.
When Santa needs backup, we go hard! There are so many people to thank for the success of today’s Fire and Police Toy Program giveaway. 
Special thanks to our tireless board coordinators, Richmond Firefighters Local 188, the Richmond Police Officers Association , Chevron, Target, and the Richmond Rotary, City of Richmond Staff, the Richmond Fire Youth Academy & Richmond Explorer Post 110, and a host of community partners. 

On November 16th, Club President Oscar Garcia and Erle Brown delivered our club’s donation of $100 checks to the teachers at Peres Elementary School. 

Richmond Rotary grant buys new sewing machines for Uganda school

12 brand new sewing machines have been purchased by Kisa Primary School In Nansana Uganda, financed by a grant from Richmond Rotary. The new machines enable the school to set up a tailoring training project for students with the promise of good jobs and income when the kids move into the job market. Youth unemployment in Uganda is well over 30%. Teachers and students unpacked the machines last week and started setting up classrooms.

Oct 12
Carol Nakazito is one of the talented young artists at Namungoona Children’s Art Center in Uganda. Here is a short video and some photos that show her skills and ideas

Oct 21
Arbor Day at Lucas Park 10 years later. Jan Brown with Mac Lingo.

Dan Tanita Free Dental Clinic is up and running again this school year thanks to Volunteer Director Dr Josh Rosales and assistant Quarana McKnight-Davis. Thanks to volunteer dental assistant and parent volunteer for their support.
Also thanks to the Sydney Paige Foundation for providing free backpacks with school supplies for every student at the school

Special thanks to NIAD Board member and Richmond Rotarian Karen DiDomenicis and NIAD staff Amanda Eicher and Rebecca Teague for hosting a Richmond Rotary Reception at the Art Studio. Richmond Rotary provided funding this year for a loom and rug making equipment for the artists. Thanks to Rotary members for bidding on the Reception at the Annual Holiday Auction. Pictured is NIAD artist Felicia Griffin on the loom. Pictures courtesy Jan Brown and Rebecca Teague.

Over twenty children at the Center are are creating a new painting titled “Treat all animals with respect” . Each child sketches their favorite animal on paper, then they can add their idea with paint on the canvas. Ssekajja Swaif, 8-years, sketches on paper, while Najjuuko Salma works on the large canvas. The workshop is being held in the Center’s new classroom and studio building sponsored by the Richmond CA Rotary Club.

Richmond Rotary is proud to support these 2 Summer Programs:
West County Salesian Youth Club – Gary Payton Basketball Clinic. Thanks to WCSYC Executive Director Steve Alameda for the pictures.
2023 Freedom School sponsored by Easter Hill United Methodist Church – Juneteenth celebration and Oakland’s “Pump It Up” program. Thanks to Executive Director Felicia Phillips for the pictures.

Richmond Rotary provided volunteer support to Richmond’s Freedom School sponsored by Easter Hill United Methodist Church. The goal of Freedom School is to provide a safe, fun and fulfilling learning environment for 6 weeks during the summer. This helps students so they don’t fall behind once school starts in the fall. Rotarians helped serve lunch (Don Lau, Jan Brown, Darlene Rios Drapkin, and Rolanda Wilson) and Shawn Dunning did a Read Aloud session. Rotary also provided funds for field trips.

Richmond Rotary Member Florian Santos volunteers at GRIP Greater Richmond Interfaith (Housing houseless families) and represents Richmond Rotary Club. She teaches a parenting class twice a month at GRIP and privately coaches GRIP parents individually. The shelter provides housing for eighteen families including 48 children.

On June 9th, we celebrated the accomplishments of the Community Services Team with a fun “Mahalo Party”. Special thanks to Don Lau for being a great Chair to our Team and Yenny Garcia as Vice-Chair. Collectively, the Richmond Rotary club gave an estimate of over $70,000 in 2022-2023 to 30+ organizations locally and internationally.

At our club meeting on Friday, Jan 7, Daniel Barth, Executive Director of SOS Richmond, presented recognition awards to Club Director Tom Herriman for our Housing First program and to Vicki Knudson, the “guardian angel of Rydin Road”, to honor our efforts in 2022 to assist our neighbors with a roof over their heads, regular hot meals and essential supplies.

During these severe weather conditions, every tent, sleeping bag, pair of gloves, or pair of socks makes a difference.

To make a donation, here’s a link to the Amazon registry to support SOS Richmond.

December 15, 2022
Brianni Peters, currently living in an RV at the Castro encampment, signed a lease today for a 2 BR apartment in San Pablo, thanks to Richmond Rotary’s Housing First program

Naturally, Richmond Rotary members are far more familiar with our local community projects than with our projects in faraway places. Yet our dollars and hands-on work are helping young people learn new skills, enabling better hygiene, delivering fresh water, and generating renewable energy in four different countries. We’re contributing to durable, life-altering change in Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico and Honduras. Norm Lundberg, heads up our International Committee. Here’s his report.

We pay annual dues, contribute to Rotary International, spend tens of thousands of dollars at our Holiday Auction and routinely give during other fundraisers. Where does all that money go? The short answer is, the money supports dozens of projects and organizations, both locally and in other countries. The long answer can be found on the Project Support page. There you’ll see the many organizations Richmond Rotarians have supported in the last year. Follow the … Continue reading →

Jan Brown has created an illustrated timeline of our Club’s first one-hundred years. (No, your birthday doesn’t appear anywhere on it. But you’ll want to check it out, anyway.