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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 and informtional brochures are distributed during the month of March, near Arbor Day, at assemblies in 18 elementary schools in the Tustin Unified School District.
Budget:
$800 for seedlings
$50 for printing of brochures
How Club Members will be involved:
Approximately 75% of the Club 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 brochure 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 brochure distributed to students has the Rotary wheel, Club name and address on it.
2. Senior Citizen Luncheons
The Tustin area has a very large senior population who gather regularly at the Senior Center. The luncheons allow the seniors to enjoy a festive free lunch, live entertainment and interaction with animated Rotarians. These events are very popular with the seniors.
Timeline:
Planning for the luncheons begins with a meeting in January to discuss the menu, set-up and entertainment. The luncheons will be held on the last Thursday before Valentine's Day and the last Friday before Memorial Day Weekend.
Budget:
Meals $2,500. The menu will consist of an entree, vegetable, salad, bread, dessert and coffee for 200 people at each luncheon.
How Club Members will be Involved:
Club members plan the meal and purchase food. Club members meet at the Tustin Area Senior Center to prepare, plate, and serve the lunch to the seniors. 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. Last year the club added a second luncheon event near Memorial Day. 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 2014 the Mayor attended and spoke of the event at other city functions.
3. Tools For Schools:
Tools for Schools is a program supporting students in the Tustin Unified School District who live in low socio-economic areas. Many of the children also come from one-parent homes. Club members purchase new backpacks and school supplies for students who cannot afford these required supplies.
Rotarians talk with administrators to determine what backpacks and school supplies are needed. Rotarians distribute backpacks to various elementary schools and middle schools in the Tustin Unified School District.
Budget: $2,150
Total budget for the project is $750 which will provide students with backpacks and school supplies for the 2014-15 school year. The Tustin/Santa Ana Rotary club has budgeted $1,075 and requests a $1,075 match from District 5320. Publicity will be in our club newsletter and a press release to local papers.
Club members will:
Contact the school to discuss the students' needs, purchase the backpacks and school supplies, and distribute them at various elementary and middle schools.
Approximately 75% of Rotarians are involved throughout the process.
Sustainability:
The Club started this program approximately 4 years ago and it was well received by the Tustin Unified School District and will continue to do this into the future. The match allows the Club to increase the number of packpacks and school supplies provided.
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