RB Sunrise Rotarians Give Toys For Tots

Members of the RB Sunrise Rotary Club know to count their blessings. “If the poor economy is hitting us hard, it’s hitting others even worse.” says Rotarian Sue Herndon.

Which is why Herndon takes it upon herself each year to organize a Toys for Tots collection, working closely with the Marines at Miramar’s 4^th Medical Battalion.

“We collect several hundred thousand new, unwrapped toys annually and provide holiday cheer to around 75,000 children from our base alone,” said Sgt. Arron Miller at this week’s breakfast meeting. He noted “Three or four toys are given to each child, so there’s plenty of room for a happier holiday.”

“This is the fifth time our Rotary club has participated in the Toys for Tots program” reported club president Paul Sullivan. Every holiday season Herndon initiates and coordinates the entire RB Sunrise Toys for Tots effort, which typically generates donations of between $3,000 - $4,000 in gifts and cash contributions.

The club’s 55 members can always be counted on to respond enthusiastically,” notes Herndon.

According to Miramar News, the official web site of the Marine Corps Air Station (Miramar), toy drive coordinators distribute the toys to children of needy families through churches, foster homes, The Coalition for the Homeless and several other local non-profit agencies. The Toys for Tots program originated in 1947, and in 65 years has distributed more than 370 million toys to more than 173 million needy children.

“You’ve got to say this for Sue” says the obviously impressed Sullivan. “She’s a Rotarian through and through! This is a woman who knows how to make good things happen.”

Contributions can still be made to Toys for Tots by contacting Herndon at 858-344-9000.

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club is comprised of 55 north county business and community leaders who meet for breakfast every Tuesday at 7am at the RB Country Club on Greens East Road in RB. Professionals from throughout the region considering membership in the club are invited to attend for a free breakfast and some of the finest camaraderie to be found in San Diego.

More information about the RB Sunrise Rotary can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.

 

From left – RB Sunrise Rotarian Sue Herndon, Corporal Stephen LaRochelle, Sargeant Arron K. Miller gather around the tree to celebrate RB Sunrise Rotary’s generosity

RB Sunrise Rotary Announces Meeting Speakers for January, 2013

The RB Sunrise Rotary Club has announced the following lineup of speakers for January, 2013. Their meetings are a MUST for anyone interested in camaraderie, community, and business insight. The schedule includes:

• January 08 Maurice Wilson, co-founder of NVTSI/REBOOT, visits to address high rates of unemployment, homelessness, drug abuse and other issues associated with military-to-civilian reintegration. Mr. Wilson has been named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama.

• January 15 Bob James, Jr. – Membership Chair for Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) – explores the benefits of membership in Rotary International and the potential benefits that come from increased numbers of people committing themselves to giving back to the community.

• January 22 Carl Kruse – Former Poway City Council member, Former Poway mayor, and Governor-elect of Rotary District 5340 (San Diego and Imperial Counties) – returns to his home club fresh from the annual International Governors Assembly, where all 512 governors from around the world gather to discuss Rotary’s place in today’s society. Attendees will be among the first to learn of themes and messaging being utilized by 34,000 Rotary clubs around the globe beginning July 1.

• January 29 Alison Farrin, President of Innovative Pension Design, will do a presentation on the 100 Mile One Day Western States Trail Ride (the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride). Since 1955, this annual tradition has been the very definition of extreme sports – a 24-hour run over 100 grueling miles that tests horse and rider alike. This year’s run is scheduled for June 1-2, and Ms. Farrin will tell what it looks like from the saddle.

Doors open at 7:00 am, and all RB Sunrise Rotary meetings start promptly at 7:15 am at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Speakers begin their presentations at 8:00 am. Members of the public are invited to attend these meetings at no charge if staying for just the speaker. A $15 fee will be charged to those staying for breakfast.

The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club itself can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.