Rotary is essentailly a grassroots organization, with most of its service efforts being carried out at the club level. The following is a partial list of projects that The Costa Mesa Rotary Club is currently paticipating in to fulfill The Object of Rotary. It's easy to get involved! Just call Don Gregg at (949) 689-8123, email dgregg@sbcglobal.net
A Light in the Window
MISSION STATEMENT: To reduce the incidence of family violence by providing an alternative social environment for at-risk families and their children.
A lack of community support for families was the impetus to establish "A Light In The Window". It has established a clubhouse, adult education series that include english classses, seminars by the American Heart Association, parenting classes, back to school picnic, and a learning center. If you are interested in helping contact the Costa Mesa Rotary Club.
Adopt a Family - Share Our Selves
Dental Screening
International Project in Romania
Mariachi Festival
Polio Plus - Bill & Melinda Gates Foundatioon Challenge Grant
Rotary's $100 Million Challenge. Rotary's leadership in the polio eradication effort was recognized in 2007 with a $100 Million Challenge Grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The funds must be spent during the 2008 calendar year on immunization and other polio eradication initiatives and matched within three years. Rotary's $100 Million Challenge is a three-year fundraising effort to match the grant. Each of the nearly 33,000 Rotary clubs in the world is being asked to raise at least $1,000 annually for the challenge, which ends December 31, 2010. The $200 Million generated by the grant and match will be a vital catalyst to help achieve Rotary's top goal of ending polio worldwide.
Reading by 9
Rotary International Foundation - Every Year, Every Rotarian
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Interact Club
The Costa Mesa Rotary Club sponsors this service organization for youth ages 14 - 18, It is located on the campus of Orange Coast Middle College High School and is one of more than 11,200 clubs in 162 countries and geographical areas.
Orange Coast Middle College High School is a Newport-Mesa Unified School District college prep program located at Orange Coast College for 11th and 12th grades. OCMCHS enables students to acquire college credits and complete high school requirements simultaneously.
Snowball Express - a priceless weekend for the children of our fallen U.S. Military
The mission of Snowball Express, an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, is to help create new memories and a few days of joy in the lives that have been shattered by the loss of their fallen hero. It's America's chance to give a gift of graditude to the children and spouses of those men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who have died since September 11, 2001.
This year, from December 16 to 20, 2008 Snowball Express will host nearly 1,600 children and surviving spouses of men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. It will become the largest charitable gathering of military children ever held.
To volunteer to help at an event during the week, please email Michell and Dan Barto at M.Barto@SnowballExpress.ORG. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit www.SnowballExpress.ORG. To get a personal perspective on this project contact Dale Bixler of the Costa Mesa Rotary club.