My cup runneth over!

Here I am in the middle of my agency's busy season. We're writing press releases, drafting newsletters, creating web sites, developing PowerPoint presentations, and researching marketing plans. There are several direct mail campaigns in the works, and I just came up with a killer sales promotion today.

In the midst of all this, six press releases need to be written for the RB Sunrise Rotary club.

I'm not complaining, mind you. It's just a headache to craft them A) in the middle of everything else and B) to distribute them in a way that doesn't annoy my editors.

After I finished developing my PowerPoint for PETS (three weeks from yesterday), and sent it, along with my bio and photo, to the printer (superdave's. This is a name?), I took a bit of time to get the first one written. Five more to go. I figure I'll take my daughter's advice, and eat this elephant one bite at a time.

Today's contribution was as follows:

Rides and Smiles and RB Sunrise Rotary

“We can’t aid every organization, but we help where we can” says Steve Sayler, president of the RB Sunrise Rotary Club.

His comment was in response to the question “Is it true you help anyone who comes to Rotary”, and reflected the importance of the group’s community outreach during fundraising programs.

The most recent recipient of RB Sunrise’s largesse would be Rides & Smiles - a volunteer-based transportation program and a non-denominational division of Jewish Family Services. It works with adults 60+, in the North County Inland area serving seniors in the 92127, 92128, 92129, 92131, and 92064 zip codes. Additional information about Rides and Smiles is available at (858) 674-1124.

“Our program continues to grow because of the generosity of groups like Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary” says program coordinator Marilyn Greenblatt. Since Rides and Smiles started, it has grown from 12 riders and five drivers to over 250 riders and 100 drivers.

“This program is so popular that they have a waiting list of 40 riders” says club president-elect Kendra Jeffcoat, adding: “Since 1988, our club has been working to help those most in need within the community. It’s truly a pleasure to be able to help a worthwhile organization like Rides and Smiles.”

Ms. Greenblatt and her son Daniel attended the Rotary breakfast to discuss the Rides & Smiles web-based scheduling system, and to spotlight their efforts to generate 30 more drivers and volunteers for the Poway-based organization. During Rotary’s Centennial, RB Sunrise Rotary sponsored Rides & Smiles as their annual project by providing volunteers, drivers, and financial support.

Rides & Smiles – a division of Jewish Family Services – can be found online at www.jfssd.org. The Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary club can be found online at www.rbsunrise.org.

The RB Sunrise Rotary meets each Tuesday morning at 7:15 am at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo, 12280 Greens East Road, San Diego, CA 92128. Prospective members are invited to attend these meetings as guests of the club.

The public is also invited to review the blog of Paul Gorman, one of the club’s newest members, as he traces his adventure in joining and participating in Rotary. It can be found at www.redbadgerotarian.blogspot.com. Another blog, maintained by club publicity chair Rob Weinberg, is tracing a year of a more established Rotarian. That one – entitled THE ADVENTURES OF ROB THE ROTARIAN can be found at rbsunrise.blogspot.com.

Pictured – RB Sunrise Rotary Community Service Director Nasrin Barbee presents Rides & Smiles Coordinator Marilyn Greenblatt a small token of the Rotary Club’s esteem.