April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
scholarship program, provided local schools with dental supplies and free eye examinations with glasses
to the needy, and aided in vocational services supporting local Junior Achievement Program. During the
60’s membership was expanded to include the Great Lakes Naval Training Center and Downey Veterans
Admin. Hospital. In 1968 a Group Study Exchange from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong were hosted
by the club.
1970’s brought a summer band camp scholarship and workers for Downey Veterans Admin. Hospital
recreation day fair. Rotary Anns were formally organized and the club sent its first sponsored youth
exchange student abroad and received its first inbound student. It began sponsorship of Interact, which
became involved in activities and fundraising for scholarships. At the 50th Anniversary dinner-dance,
the club designated its first Paul Harris Fellow.
In the 1980’s an additional annual youth scholarship was established in honor of a club member to an
outstanding student who is active in school and community service. Other scholarships during this time
were for college students, community junior athletic teams, and student activity awards. Promoted
vocational scholarships, U.S. Savings Bonds to top grade school graduates and sponsorship of National
Honor Society Banquets, NJROTC trips, forensics summer camp, Boys’ State, RYLA Leadership
Training Program, and Easter Seals summer camp. Financial support for these activities was
accomplished by establishment of the Youth Foundation Fund.
“Meals on Wheels” was adopted by the club for seniors and needy of the community. Contributions
were made for disaster relief for victims of earthquakes in Mexico and Columbia. The club’s first world
community service project of $2,400 went to the Rotary Club of Kabankalan, Negros, Occidental,
Philippines for a Nutritional Clinic and the club committed $15,000 to PolioPlus which brought the total
to 20 Paul Harris Fellows and 4 sustaining members. Had continued this program a second year.
In October 1987, the first women were installed as club members. Due to the change in requirements for
membership in Rotary, the Rotary Anns ceased to exist as an organization since they no longer
encompassed the spouses of the club members. A new district committee for ROTEX (a group of
returned youth exchange students) was founded by a club member; the club has actively supported the
youth exchange program, which to date has hosted 12 inbound and had 11 out-bound students. Since
1959, 136 local students have received approximately $41,000 in scholarships.
As the club entered the 90’s, community service-oriented activities were the main focus; such as,
development of a tutoring program with the elementary schools and expansion of the neighborhood
watch concept. Established the Dr. Charles R. Thomas Education Support Endowment Foundation was
established in conjunction with School District #187.
1990-91 - Involved in CADA (Citizens Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse) sponsoring a luncheon each
year. Working with School District 187 to run a reading program.
Youth Exchange Activities:
1976-77 - Hosted Floris Aukema from Netherlands; sponsored Daryl Donald to Brazil.
1978-79 - Hosted Renata Roriz from Brazil and Juan Abeti from Venezuela; sponsored Natalie
Hutchison to Australia, Lois Rigwood to Brazil, and Bud Denny to Bolivia.
1979-80 - Hosted Claes-Ake Gimmersta from Sweden.
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