Spoke Newsletter – October 17, 2024

TODAY

We will hear from BRANDI COLLATO, Chief Executive Officer, YMCA of the East Valley. MS. COLLATO is serving as the first female CEO of the YMCA of the East Valley, a multi branch association comprised of five branches: Redlands, Redlands Childcare Services, Highland, San Bernardino, and Resident Camping Services.

LAST WEEK

LYNDA SCHAUF and KIM CLARK shared sights and impressions from their world cruise adventure. We were treated to views ranging from the monumental statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), to the Great Wall of China, plus an insider report on all the ocean-bound fun (outside the cabin of course), that was to be had. Visits to New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore were also in the mix, as well as ~25 other countries, along with a few of the Great Oceans. Our meeting was also attended by several fellow travelers on this Odyssey, one of whom was a visiting Rotarian from our own club!

NEXT WEEK

The program will be ROB CLIZBE and B.A.C.A. (Bikers Against Child Abuse). Bikers Against Child Abuse exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children.

DISTRICT 5330 FOUNDATION DINNER

This year’s Foundation Dinner will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 at March Field Air Museum, and begins at 5:30pm. It promises an unrivaled blend of inspiring moments from great speakers celebrating our collective giving to The Rotary Foundation, to an evening of unforgettable entertainment by the Killer Dueling Pianos. It’s an event crafted to mesmerize, inspire, and foster camaraderie among all who share in the spirit of Rotary. This is more than just a dinner; it’s a gathering of individuals committed to making a difference, a place where magic meets heroism. Take action now to secure your spot at this remarkable event. Register online today at https://www.district5330.org/galalanding/and be part of something extraordinary. We look forward to celebrating an evening of heroism, inspiration, and community.

REMINDERS

  • RON JEFFREY Winemaker Dinner. Please save the date, November 8, 2024 for this event coming next month!!
  • Veteran’s Day Parade, November 11, 2024
  • Purple Turtles, December 9, 2024
  • Burrage Mansion drive-through Christmas celebration, December 15, 2024

ON THIS DAY

The wheels of justice in early modern Britain turned slowly, but in this case, quite surely. On 17 October 1660, after the restoration of the monarchy, the nine regicides who signed the death warrant of Charles I of England were hanged, drawn and quartered. Regicide, the purposeful killing of a monarch or sovereign can, in the British tradition, refer to the judicial execution of a king after a trial. The Regicides of Charles I were those responsible for the execution of the king some 11 years prior, in January 1649. Oliver Cromwell was amongst the first to sign the death warrant, but that story is much too vast for the space we have here.

WORLD POLIO DAY IS 24 OCTOBER

Rotary International launched a global effort to immunize the world’s children against polio in 1985 followed by the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. When the GPEI started, polio paralyzed more than 1000 children worldwide every day. Since then, more than 2.5 billion children have been immunized against polio thanks to the cooperation of more than 200 countries and 20 million volunteers. There are many ways we continue to team up to eradicate Polio. Find out more at: https://makepoliohistory.org

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Rotarians, assemble! (Sorry, wrong group of superheroes, but you get the idea.) This week, I want to talk about our scholarship program. Remember, we’re not just handing out money; we’re investing in dreams, futures, and the next generation of local community leaders. As you may know, last year, we awarded $112,000 in scholarships, that’s a lot of dreams we’re helping to realize! I love hearing every once in a while, where either a visitor, a student, or a speaker tells us about how a scholarship we gave helped them or their family. So next time you contribute to the foundation directly, with a fine, a fundraiser, or the weekly card game, imagine the impact – you might just be funding the next cure for cancer or the solution to climate change. No pressure, though! Let’s keep pushing to reach our goals. Every contribution, no matter how small, gets us closer to changing another life.

Editor – Dave Byers – Edition No.14 – October 17, 2024