By Alanna Shepard
The Rotary Club of Santa Monica is part of a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change- across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
In the spirit of year-round giving, the Rotary Club of Santa Monica regularly awards community and youth grants. These grants are available for non-profit organizations serving Santa Monica residents and community. Awards range from $500 to $3,500 and are limited to sustainable projects, such as equipment purchases and materials for building improvements.
Funds will not be allocated for operations, marketing, events, or labor. Non-profit organizations may apply annually for funding. To qualify, organizations must provide proof of non-profit 501(c) (3) status and verify that funds awarded will benefit Santa Monica residents.
Organizations may apply annually for awards from the Community and Youth Grant Committee. However, we limit funding to no more than three grant awards issued to any one organization during any five-year period. Our objective is to provide necessary support to as many worthy organizations as possible.
The application submission deadlines are November 20, 2018 or April 4, 2019. For more information and an application form, please visit our website www.rotaryclubofsantamonica.org/cyg.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we asked some of our Rotary Club members about why they are thankful for being a Rotarian:
“My most impactful moment was walking with John Bohn through the convention hall of the Rotary International Convention when it was held in Los Angeles. Walking by the many booths with people from all over the world in their native dress made me realize how much good Rotary has done globally for so many. Very inspiring.”
-Laurel Rosen
“I have been always grateful for choosing to be a Rotarian and to have been brought into the Rotary Club Santa Monica 20 years ago! Over that period of time I have had a number of opportunities to visit others Rotary Clubs in the United States. My most exciting visit was to Rotary One in Chicago where it was ALL STARTED by Paul Harris. Then visiting clubs in Australia, Fiji and Tahiti! My most dramatic and heartfelt moment as a Rotarian came when my wife and I were picking up the pieces of our Broadway Gymnastic School after it had burned to the ground after 20 years in business in Santa Monica. We were getting a great deal of help from the community. Two of our clients, Arnold and Maria offered to lease us the Old World Gym that was not on the market to see if the community wanted us back. The only trouble was that we needed funds to help service a large school in South LA called the Mid-City Alternative School whose funds had been cut. LA 5 Rotary read our grant request and donated $10,000 to fund the transporting and teaching of the students. LA 5 first helped the students of South Central and secondly helped Broadway Gymnastic School when ALL WE NEEDED WAS A HAND UP! My wife and I and all the staff at Broadway Gymnastic School will forever be grateful to Rotary International!”
-Michael Cates
“There are so many Rotary moments in our Rotary Club… One of my more recent Rotary moments was when we did a day of service at Westside Food Bank. We had a group of about 25 volunteers working together and packing food for those less fortunate. It really brought home the impact of the local nonprofit community and how Rotary is a big part of advancing their work, through our volunteerism and contributions. Our club members serve as board members and volunteers of many of the local nonprofits, some on multiple boards. Other Rotarians do hands on volunteer services and all of us give what we can financially to make a local community a happier, healthier and more compassionate community to live and work in.”
-Connie Maguire
With the tragic wildfires raging we are grateful for the dedication and bravery of our firefighters and first responders who are working tirelessly to protect our lives and property. You are our heroes.
Finally, during this week of honoring our veterans, all of us at the Rotary Club of Santa Monica are thankful for the men and women in uniform who have served and defended our freedom and our country.
“There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer.”
-General James H. Doolittle
