Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary

Thank you fellow Rotarians from Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary, President Jerry Jen, and Member Melissa Moore for being my guest on the Born To Talk Radio Show.             Jerry Jen                                           Melissa Moore  Facts. Rotary International has 1.2 million members with over 35,000 clubs. This has resulted in 16 million volunteer hours each year. 2.5 billion have been children who have been immunized for polio. Rotary has also been on the front line to stop human trafficking. Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary. What do Jerry and Melissa have in common? Service! As the President of Playa Venice Sunrise Rotary Jerry shared his goals for the year. Promote hands-on projects. This will include labor and time within our Rotary Club and also partnering with other organizations. Collaborate with neighboring Rotary Clubs. Support the membership, professionally and personally. Jerry’s motto this year is Stronger Together. Examples of past Playa Vista Sunrise Rotary projects. Education. Scholarship program for high school students. Also scholarships through our Pageant of the Arts, in dance and music.  Teacher Eddy Mini-grants in collaboration with LAX/Coastal Chamber of Commerce. Midnight Mission. We prepared and served food to the homeless that count on 3 meals a day living on skid row.  They are able to provide some housing as well.   This Mission started in 1914.  Their gratitude was overwhelming. Adopt a Family program, helping families during the holidays.  We find out what they want and need and then we shop to make it happen.  Then we visit these families to provide gifts and food they can really use and in return, they are extremely thankful.  Their joy lifts everyone’s spirits.  I still think about the young boys I met last year. The Build-a-Bear project for sick children at Children’s Hospital LA. Imagine how it must feel if you are an ill child, being in the hospital away and from your family. We built customized bears including a beating heart assembled inside. When a young person hugs their bear they can feel the heartbeat. Vision to Learn.   Schoolchildren can be screened by a school nurse or volunteer, and those who show significant visual deficiency are referred for examination. The school gets a signed consent from the parents. A mobile eye clinic performs an exam and fits frames, and glasses are dispensed at the school 2 weeks later. I wish you could have seen the faces on these kids when they could see clearly for the first time. These were just some examples of how our club has made a difference. I’m only touching the surface! We also know how to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.  Gone is the term baby boomers, gen X, Y, Z boomers. We are now Zoomers! There is no stopping us! We have banned together with the focus of Service, beyond Self! Lastly, I invite you to contact your nearest Rotary Club to see how you too, can give of your time in causes that support your community. What’s Your  Story? Conversations + Connections = Community