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The FOGHORN
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
May 21, 2020
CLUB MEETING - STAYING in TOUCH
Jade Casiez - Her Exchange Year in Half Moon Bay
Article by Bill Johnston
Screen Shots by Dianne Bobko
Jade Casiez has been our exchange student for the past year. She came here from France with pretty minimal English. John Evans raved about how much her English had improved over the course of the past year. She lives on a farm with her parents in a small village of about 250 people. She attended high school in a large nearby city. In France, her interests were riding her horse and spending time with friends and family. She described high school in France as being very disciplined and studies oriented. In contrast, Half Moon Bay High School had great spirit. Some of her favorite things included her leadership class, participating in cheerleading and track and field. She was very upset that she’s going to miss out on the graduation and senior prom because of the pandemic. When asked what was most amazing to her, she said that it was the friendliness of everyone that she met here. She particularly enjoyed making amazing friends from around the world and the time that she spent with the other exchange students. She described her life with her host families, John and Larkin Evans and the Schink family. Her a camping trip to the pinnacles, trip to the snow and trip to Southern California all were wonderful. She also told us that she felt as if she had grown a lot. Being independent and in charge of her own finances really made a difference. Next year, when she returns to France she will repeat her senior year and then she hopes to go on to college and study veterinary medicine.
MAY 21, 2020 - Club Meeting
The May 21, 2020 Half Moon Bay Rotary club zoom meeting featured excellent attendance. There were about 25 participants including former exchange students, Valentina and Giada checking in from Europe. Current exchange student Jade gave us a summary of her year in Half Moon Bay. But, more on that above.
President Ed called us to order promptly at noon, and Ginger led us in the pledge, and Rosie had an inspirational thought which she shared with us.
The primary business of the meeting was a discussion regarding the allocation of our district designated funds. 50% of our contributions to the Rotary foundation are returned to us three years later in the form of monies that we can apply to either existing grant projects or local grant projects within our own community. There seemed to be a consensus that the membership wanted to see a us apply the DDF funds to local projects. The two projects which had the greatest support were the Coastside Hope program to provide sundries to prequalified families and an improvement project for a gathering space at the new Day Labor Center. There was a discussion regarding reserving some of the funds for the dictionary distributions. Members expressed concern about whether continued participation in that program was warranted given the evolving situation with virtual schooling. The consensus seem to be that the club should reassess how it promotes literacy within the school district. There was also consideration given to reserving DDF funds for RYLA ( Rotary youth leadership) and given the fact RYLA programs may be on hold for a while, the consensus was the money should not be reserved for that. The matter will now be decided by the board.
President Ed called us to order promptly at noon, and Ginger led us in the pledge, and Rosie had an inspirational thought which she shared with us.
The primary business of the meeting was a discussion regarding the allocation of our district designated funds. 50% of our contributions to the Rotary foundation are returned to us three years later in the form of monies that we can apply to either existing grant projects or local grant projects within our own community. There seemed to be a consensus that the membership wanted to see a us apply the DDF funds to local projects. The two projects which had the greatest support were the Coastside Hope program to provide sundries to prequalified families and an improvement project for a gathering space at the new Day Labor Center. There was a discussion regarding reserving some of the funds for the dictionary distributions. Members expressed concern about whether continued participation in that program was warranted given the evolving situation with virtual schooling. The consensus seem to be that the club should reassess how it promotes literacy within the school district. There was also consideration given to reserving DDF funds for RYLA ( Rotary youth leadership) and given the fact RYLA programs may be on hold for a while, the consensus was the money should not be reserved for that. The matter will now be decided by the board.
Announcements
Ginger - I saw Renee Mother’s Day weekend when I delivered a special basket to surprise her cousin Annmarie who has been taking care of her since she started chemo. She is leaving today and will be missed, but Kathie Monozon will be driving Renee to her chemo. I asked what she needed from her Rotary family and waiting to hear.
This Memorial Day, we want to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country by offering our support to all who've served our country, Barterra Winery is donating 10% of all sales for the remainder of May to Purple Heart Anglers. We also put their link on the Facebook post so people can donate directly to the Purple Heart Anglers.
This Memorial Day, we want to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country by offering our support to all who've served our country, Barterra Winery is donating 10% of all sales for the remainder of May to Purple Heart Anglers. We also put their link on the Facebook post so people can donate directly to the Purple Heart Anglers.
Liz - I have been in touch with Charise since she went in hospital for surgery early this week. She said it was a very odd experience to be there without Jack or anyone else to be with her. Surgery went well. The doctors put in screws to help her back and to alleviate the sciatica pain she was having. She is home from the hospital, just this afternoon.
If you'd like to help, she could certainly use some food as she mentioned to me that Jack can't even boil water. Good lord, let's hope she doesn't starve!
Please contact her directly.
Community Service - PP Liz, Club Community Service Director
More good news to share about how our club has been supporting the community during this COVID pandemic!
PP EJ Dieterle delivered sandwiches to Abundant Grace.
PP Rose Serdy put together 23 hygiene bags for our homeless community members and delivered them to Abundant Grace on Thursday, along with burritos for lunch!
Shana Reilly Pond coordinated the collection and delivery of needed food items for needy families at Coastside Hope.
Please see photos attached of the hygiene bags, sandwich delivery and the food collection and delivery.
Rotary and its members modeling SERVICE ABOVE SELF!
REMINDER - Our Monthly Rotary Day at the Community Free Breakfast Will not be held this month. Wait for future information from Rose concerning when it will start again.
PHOTO GALLERY
