Here is a report we just received from Jon Dwyer, 2018-19 Governor of District 5160, which includes the Rotary Club of Paradise, California:
The first thing of course everyone has asked is “what can I do to help?”. While there will no doubt be a lot more information about many ways to help, to start with The Paradise Rotary Club has indicated that people can make contributions via their Club’s Foundation.
PDG Pam Grey and Brian live in Paradise, Brian is the current President of the Paradise Rotary Club. They will be accepting donations to be used to assist folks in the short and long term via the “The Paradise Rotary Foundation”. Since they are pretty sure that the Paradise Post Office is gone, they have asked that they be mailed c/o Scheer Memorial Chapel, 2410 Foothill Blvd, Oroville, Ca 95966.
About 70 Rotarians and friends attended today's meeting for an update on the effort to eradicate Polio and on other important work of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (TRF).
President Rhonda Poppen welcomed visiting Rotarians from Italy, Tanzania, and Ghana, and from South San Francisco, Central Marin, and Daly City. She also welcomed special guests from the Consulates of Vietnam and Germany.
Our Club is celebrating the 110th anniversary of its founding this year. Celebrate with us by purchasing this commemorative shirt. Orders accepted through December 21.
The annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at The Arc of San Francisco is one of our most popular service projects. Come early to help prepare and serve lunch to hundreds of clients of The Arc: all people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. And stay long enough to enjoy that same lunch with your fellow Rotarians. This is the only Thanksgiving celebration for many of the people we serve that day. And they are most appreciative.
Join your fellow Rotarians and friends for an ugly holiday sweater and white elephant gift exchange potluck. Prizes will be given for the ugliest holiday sweaters. This is a great opportunity to socialize with your fellow Rotarians and meet other members of our Club.
Ivanhoe Chang, Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, will discuss the opportunities and challenges facing Hong Kong and its relevance to California and the United States.
Join your fellow Rotarians and some of San Francisco's finest celebrities -- media personalities, bell ringing champs, costumed characters, local bands and much more -- as you ring bells, spread holiday cheer, and raise awareness for The Salvation Army. The bell ringing is on December 7, but the deadline to register is November 30, 2018.
Dr. Michael Merzenich, UCSF Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience, will discuss how our new understanding of the "plasticity" of the brain changes our understanding of our elementary humanity, and challenges us to reconsider how we have organized modern societies.
Join us at this service opportunity where Club members and guests will stuff diaper bags with the supplies new moms need to help care for their babies. The bags will be distributed to pregnant women involved in Prenatal Classes at the Homeless Prenatal Project. Afterwards, we'll walk down the block to Mars Bar and Restaurant for food, fellowship, and fun.
Join us at one or both of the Baby Showers at the Homeless Prenatal Program where we will give expectant mothers diaper bags filled with supplies. The party for Spanish speakers starts at 10:30 AM; the party for English speakers starts at 1:00 PM.
Don't miss our Annual Holiday Party at the Westin Saint Francis, where we will celebrate our Club's 110 Anniversary! Bring your family, friends, and business associates to enjoy this most festive and fun-filled luncheon of the year. It's important for members to attend so we have a quorum for the brief Annual Meeting, where we will elect new Board members and our next Club President.