Escondido Sunrise Rotary; Meeting to Serve our Community via Zoom; and “Habitat for Humanity in San Diego; Striving to Create Affordable Housing”… March 24, 2021
Editor’s Note…
As we all try to conduct our professional pursuits in new ways, it’s appropriate to remind ourselves of who we are as a Serving Organization… Our accomplishments, our fellowship and the reminder of our many successes is valuable as we await the time we can gather together again…
So, we met via Zoom… On March 24 … Sunrise Rotary members talking about service and connecting through fellowship in new ways…
President Chris opened the meeting… Even with a gavel and the familiar chime of a gavel striking a bell… A number of Sunrise Rotarians joined the Zoom meeting… Nice job all of you for joining us…
Today’s meeting was a ‘hybrid’ meeting, with President Chris ‘broadcasting’ from All Star Signs with Past President George Beitner at his side. The hoped-for plan is to look to in-person meetings possibly accompanied by a virtual piece for those not able to attend…
Past President, George Beitner led the salute to our Nation’s Flag…
Past President, Jack Anderson offered an invocation…
Guests and Visitors:
Gerry Fay was Past President Rich Aeling’s guest
Now, some Sunrise Rotary member milestones…
Birthdays:
March 31: Donna Aeling
Donna celebrating the month-long birthday… With Past President Rich.
Anniversaries:
March 28; Past President Jeff and Cathy Johnson celebrating 34 years…
And, a fun photo from their life together… Who is that 'Playing Doctor' in this photo?
Rotary Anniversaries:
None this week
Rotarians Having Fun and Serving…
All kinds of fun and service this week… Pictures are worth a thousand words…
Thank You Letters
For our support of local groups; thank you notes from the Escondido Arts Partnership and from the Escondido Education Foundation…
Assisting Neighborhood Health with Covid testing and with Vaccinations…
Sergeant at Arms, Gloria Lefler and Past President Constance Larsenhelping the community and, Gloria receiving her vaccine…
Rotarians Staging a Clothing Drive to Support the North County Veterans Stand Down…
On Saturday March 11, truckloads of items for the Veterans were collected at City Hall… Working with the Highway 78 Rotary Club and our Sunrise Rotarians…
President Elect, Richard Agnew and his Bride, Marcia held their own neighborhood clothing drive… Plying their friends and neighbors with food and drink, they gathered many items to support the Veterans…
Support for Fisher House at Camp Pendleton
Past President George Beitner provided an update on the delivery of items that took place on March 17…
Pictured at Fisher House is the delivery team… Past Presidents, George Beitner, Dave Herbert and Jack Anderson accompanied by ‘Someday President’, Joe Holtz and Vicky Powell-Johnson of Fisher House, Camp Pendleton…
They so appreciate our support… Thanks to all who contributed…
Guatemala Literacy Project…
Past President, Mike Dunlap reminded us of the great Rotary Foundation project and that Escondido Sunrise has ‘adopted’ a student, Sherly.
Sherly is one of 5 children of a single mom and she’s entering 7th grade… Our support will enable her continuing schooling and provide materials, tuition, uniforms and the like…
Sunrise Rotarians Serving, and Announcements:
Mark you Calendars…
Golf Events
Commissioner of ‘Fore’, Past President Scott Putnicki shared information about upcoming golf events…
Rotary 5340 Golf; Monday April 5, 10:00 AM at St Mark Golf Club in San Marcos. Contact Scott Putnicki no later than March 26…
Chamber of Commerce Golf Challenge on April 23rd at the Vineyard. Shotgun start at 8:00 AM… Cost is $150 per person or $500 for a foursome…
High Fives:
A New Granddaughter…
Past President, Rich Aeling announced that he and Donna will be grandparents again… Another granddaughter…Congratulations!!
District Leadership Program…
Past President, Jim Ponder announced a temporary leadership program replacing RYLA for this year. Taking place on April 17, 150 students from the District will experienced motivational presentations and speakers…
Program:
Lori Holt Pfeiler, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity in San Diego was our program presenter today. Habitat in San Diego, thought part of the international organization, is independent as to its fundraising and programs.
Lori Pfeiler speaking to Sunrise Rotarians…
Lori described Habitat’s mission, and described the program and the way they work with families to bring about home ownership… Income qualifications and mortgage/housing costs as a percentage of income are markers used as families are qualified.
Lori described the cost of housing challenges in San Diego County, and Habitat’s goal of raising funds to facilitate home ownership.
Of note, too was the manner in which Habitat works with their existing home owners, especially relating to the impacts of Covid on homeowners’ income. Of 200 Habitat families, only 4 needed help to sustain their housing cost commitments to Habitat’s mortgage on their homes….
Fundraising to support programs is critical in good times, and has caused some challenges during Covid… In particular, the ‘Women Build’ program they have conducted in the past met some challenges last year due to Covid, both in working on site with larger groups of people, and sustaining support from sponsor corporations. ‘Women Build’ is planned to take place again in 2021…
Current projects include a 10 unit project of 5 duplexes in Escondido; located near the intersection of El Norte Pkwy and Broadway. It is hoped that this project will be a focus of the Women Build event in 2021…
Lori concluded her remarks regarding the fundraising element of San Diego Habitat, and the ‘Re-Store’ project… People from throughout the community can purchase slightly used building materials and supplies and in the process support Habitat projects…
Next Week’s Meeting:
Mike Cohen will present information on the Salton Sea Ecosystem…
Thanks for Attending Today’s Meeting…
Support for our Escondido Community …
Our great community and the success of its businesses is all of our responsibilities… Support the businesses that are doing all they can to survive during this challenging time… Take out some chow… Be ready to support them when the economy begins working again…
The ‘Giving Arch’ on Grand Avenue and Centre City Parkway reminds us that Escondido is a caring, giving community…
To all; be safe and be well…. God Bless those men and women that carry the load at our medical facilities, and God Bless the first responders… May our governmental leaders be wise, thoughtful and smart as this pandemic is overtaken by our hard work and collective support…
Online Meetings:
Technical Support for Online Meetings:
Our on-line meetings continue to be technically managed by President Elect Richard Agnew… Thanks for that Richard… And, Richard is prepared to support all of our attempts at joining the on-line meetings… Look for his email with details and links to log on to the upcoming Zoom meetings…
Watch for emails defining the next online meeting. The system works fine, dependent upon your technical support available through your PC or laptop…
SEE YOU SOON… ON LINE OR IN PERSON….. Next meeting; Thursday April 1; 7:30 AM… Check President Chris’ or President Elect, Richard Agnew’s email for the Zoom Link…
