1. Arbor Day Tree Giveaway
Many of the youngsters in the Tustin schools live in urban surroundings and are rarely exposed to parks and open space. The Distribution of seedlings to third grade students provides Rotarians an opportunity to discuss with the students the importance of trees to our community and world.
Timeline:
Rotarians contact San Diego Growers nursery in January to arrange for the purchase of the seedlings.
Trees are distributed during the month of March, near Arbor Day, at assemblies in 18 elementary schools in the Tustin school district.
Budget:
$1,000 for seedlings.
How Club Members will be involved:
Approximately 75% of the members participate in meeting students at school assemblies, discussing the importance of trees, the history of Arbor Day, and how to care for trees. The assembly is interactive with students asking and answering questions about trees and their value. At the end of the assembly, Rotarians distribute one seedling and informational pamphlet per student. For many Rotarians this is the first time they have visited an elementary school since they were children.
Sustainability:
The Club has a very good seedling supplier and will continue the project into the future. During the Arbor Day assembly Rotarians often hear from students that their family is enjoying a tree that an older sibling received through a previous Rotary Arbor Day assembly.
Advertising/Community Outreach:
A press release and photos are distributed to local papers. School newsletters include articles and pictures of the event. The pamphlet distributed to students has the Rotary wheel, Club name and address on it.
2. Sweetheart Luncheon
The Tustin area has a very large senior population who gather regularly at the Senior Center. The Sweetheart Luncheon allows the seniors to enjoy a festive free lunch, live entertainment and interaction with animated Rotarians. This event is very popular with the seniors, and the Club would like to add a second luncheon in the fall.
Planning for the luncheon begins with a meeting in January to discuss the menu, set-up and entertainment. The luncheon is held on the last Thursday before Valentines Day.
Budget: Meals $1,400. Last year's menu was Stuffed peppers, vegetable, salad, bread, dessert and coffee for 200 people.
How Club Members will be Involved: Club members plan meal and purchase food. Club members meet at the Senior Center to prepare, plate, and serve the luncheon to the seniors. Rotarians serve beverages, the meal, and dessert. After serving the seniors, Rotarians sit and interact with the guests. Rotarians also clean-up after the luncheon. This event is very popular with Club Rotarians. Approximately 85% of Club members participate. Many spouses also attend to serve and interact with the seniors.
Sustainability:
The Sweetheart Luncheon has been a Club event for over 20 years and the Club would like to be able to provide a second luncheon event. The matching grant makes this possible.
Advertising/Community Outreach:
The Senior Center advertises the event in their Newsletter and on their on-line bulletin board. The event is covered in local news, publishing our press release and photos of the event. In 2013 the Mayor attended and spoke of the event at other city functions.
3. High School Students of the Quarter
Budget: $800
Many of these students meet the requirements to attend universities; however, they struggle to pay tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and fees. These scholarships allow students to attend college who would be otherwise unable to attend. Scholarships will be awarded quarterly to one student in Tustin Unified School District and one student in Santa Ana Unified School District.
Rotarians talk with counselors at each of the continuation high schools and choose a student that is attending the high school. Awards are presented at a regular meeting of the Tustin/Santa Ana Rotary Club after the end of the quarter.
Total budget for the project is $800 that will provide each of eight students with a $100 scholarship. The Tustin/Santa Ana Rotary Club has budgeted $400 and requests a $400 match from District 5320. Publicity will be in our club newsletter and and a press release to local papers.
Club members will:
1. Contact the school to discuss the scholarship with counselors and other staff.
2. Present the awards at a regularly scheduled club meeting.
Approximately 5 Rotarians are involved throughout the process.
Sustainability:
The Club has provided scholarships for several years and will continue to do into the future. The match allows the Club to increase the scholarship amounts.
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