May 2025
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In Mike Nichols’ Oscar-winning 1967 film The Graduate, young Benjamin Braddock was given this word of advice regarding his business future: “Plastics!”.
 
Now, nearly sixty years later, that advice has come back to haunt us all. The world is now awash in plastic waste. Microplastic particles pollute our food, our water, even our blood. And the problem is getting worse. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060, according to the Global Plastics Outlook Database.
 
While we may feel we’re doing our part by putting plastics in our recycling bins, the sad truth is that only a small portion of that ever gets recycled. While worldwide action is needed to mitigate the crisis, Saratoga Rotarians Nancy Shih and Phil Young decided to act locally.
 
 
Hi, Saratoga Rotarians,
 
I'm Reiko Iwanaga's daughter, Ashley, and we wanted to write to you with some exciting news! 
 
It was just announced that our mother, Reiko, is one of seven recipients of the 2025 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowships for her contributions and dedication to the art form of Bon Odori. According to their website this is “the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.
 
The program recognizes recipients’ artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage.”  We heard she was selected a couple of weeks ago and have been waiting to share the official news! I’m attaching the link that you can click through to see her page. We are so proud of her and had to share the news!
 
 

Thank you for your support of our mother!
Maya, Ryan, Courtney & Ashley
 
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Hello, Saratoga Rotarians,
 
It's my pleasure to invite you to a great event at West Valley College May 15-17. Please click the link for details!
 
https://www.westvalley.edu/events/steamd-fest/
 
Thank you,
 
Jennifer Taylor-Mendoza
President
West Valley College
 
 
 
The Rotary Foundation and the Power of Giving Back
By Sangita Seshadri
 
In the world of philanthropy, few organizations allow donations to come full-circle, returning in ways that benefit the very people who contribute. One notable exception is The Rotary Foundation (TRF), a global powerhouse of goodwill and service.
 
International Service Projects
  • Kenya and India 2020-2021
    • Deliver easy access to potable water for the villages of Kaikol and Nkudet in Turkana County, Kenya. It will serve a total population of approx. 5000
    • Provide four ventilators to a COVID hospital in Bangalore, India.
  • USA 2020-2021
    • Refrigerated truck for Martha’s Kitchen
    • Sensorimotor room for children with special needs at Franklin-McKinley School 
West Valley Community Service Projects
  • Mobile Pantry/ Park-It Market at Saratoga Fellowship Plaza
    • On the 2nd, 4th & 5th Wednesday of the Month from 10:15 to 11:45 AM
 
Operation Care and Comfort Projects
  • Packing supplies for troops in October for the holiday season
 
Youth Service Events
  • Mentoring Interact Club of local high schools 
  • Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC) for high school students
  • Scholarships for elementary, middle, high school and Community college students 
  • Speech Contest for the high school students
  • Rotary Youth Exchange Programs
                                                Read more .......
Fellowship Events
  • Super Bowl Chili and Corn Bread Cook Off
  • Fun at Bocce Ball Court
  • Halloween Spirit
  • Christmas Party
  • Annual Dessert Bake Off

Dates to Remember

Donate

Doing Good Together

1) TRF (The Rotary Foundation): Show your generosity and dedication to Service Above Self. Your dollars impact globally

2) SRCF (Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation) : Your dollars impact locally.

 

 

Volunteer

2nd, 4th and 5th Wednesday (10:15 to 11:45 AM)  - Food Distribution to Seniors with West Valley Community Services.
 
Please click on this link for more information
Saratoga Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Fridays at 12:30 PM
Saratoga Community Center
19655 Allendale Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States of America
Socialize from noon to 12:30pm. Zoom available by request.
Upcoming Speakers
Karyn Sinunu-Towery
May 16, 2025 1:00 PM
The Innocence Project: Jeremy Puckett's Journey to Justice
The Innocence Project: Jeremy Puckett's Journey to Justice
Richard Goldstein (In-Person) & Eric Hannah (Zoom)
May 30, 2025
Rotary Ambassadors of Compassion
Dave Eschelman
Jun 06, 2025
Dave Eschelmen's Amazing Science Tidbits & Cool Facts!
Past Speakers
Budd MacKenzie
May 09, 2025
Educating High School Girls in Morocco - Lead Edu
Dark
May 02, 2025
Sonal Christie
Apr 25, 2025
City Team: Assembling Hygiene Products
Upcoming Events