Aloha District 5000 Rotary Members! December Newsletter
It’s December! Time to celebrate all the blessings, but at the same time remember those who are less fortunate. Life is so precious, and Rotary has allowed us to provide humanitarian aid where it is needed. Thank you for your generosity of time, talent and treasures that have made a difference for so many in our communities and in our world.
Please join us on December 21, 6-7pm for a District holiday pau hana! Bring your favorite beverage and get your creative juices going and show off your festive Zoom background. Then sit back for entertainment, games and fellowship! Check the District website for the Zoom link and join in the fun!
Happy Holidays from the District Leadership Team to you and your ohana!
Less than half of the global population has access to essential health services, according to the United Nations. Major disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and high-conflict situations could reverse decades of improvement in preventing both communicable and noncommunicable diseases by decreasing access to health care professionals, facilities, and other services.
Dec 15 – Last day for early registration discount for the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia May 27-31, 2023. https://convention.rotary.org/en
What are you thankful for? Share your thank you message to the “Stuck on Aloha” Rotary board: CLICK HERE to go to the Kudos board, click on the pencil icon on the top right and then Add to board.
Save the date! Recognizing Rotary’s Beginning. The week of the anniversary of Rotary’s founding, 23 February, is World Understanding and Peace Week. During this week, we will be celebrating Rotary service, reflect upon past achievements, and focus on programs of peace, understanding, and goodwill in the community and throughout the world. Our work is made possible through donations to The Rotary Foundation. Stay tuned for more details for the events with special recognitions and guest speakers:
Every year on the last Saturday of each November, Rotary International celebrates “Rotary Gives Thanks” - a day of showing gratitude, appreciation and respect for individuals, groups and communities that strive for a better life. In November 2019, the Rotary Club of West Pearl Harbor launched its inaugural Thanksgiving meal distribution for the clients of Pacific Gateway Center (PGC) in Kalihi. Additional Rotary members from Waianae Coast, Kapolei, Kapolei Sunset, West Honolulu, Kaneohe, and Pau Hana joined in, and roasted eight turkeys, provided all the Thanksgiving fixings with pumpkin pie, canned juice, and a Goodie Bag for each child.
The following year in 2020, our event became a “grab and go” Thanksgiving bento distribution and we added the farmers at the Kunia site. Rotary members from Ewa Beach and Pearlridge joined in. In 2021, we repeated the same. This year in 2022, we’ve seen the numbers increase at the Kalihi site with more clients from Ukraine. For the Kalihi site clients we will distribute $15 WalMart gift cards for each adult in each household, plus snack bags for the children. For the Kunia farmers, we will continue the Thanksgiving bento distribution with pumpkin pie, canned juice and snack bags for the children during their farmers meeting on Weds., Nov. 23rd.
Organizer Sonya Mendez wrote to PGC, "It is our way of saying Thank you for showing us what hope, perseverence and determination looks like…thank you for being an example to all of us that the human spirit can never be broken, when you know in your heart and soul that a better life awaits you…thank you.”
Message from PGC: Dear Sonya, To all the Rotarians who shared joy, goodness, kindness and love to PGC's clients this holiday season. We are so deeply appreciative of your generosity and aloha. All the joys of the season to all of you! Each of you make each year memorable for all of us! With aloha, Pacific Gateway Center.
Big Island, Dec 3 12:30-3:30pm. We have scheduled a second Genki ball-making session with Hiro Naga (EM Hawaii) from 12:30-3:30 at the KOKL greenhouse (no lunch this time) and then we will all head over to the Liliu`okalani Park- and toss at (around) 4-4:15 depending on how long it takes folks to register and be placed at their toss location. (we have 7 locations). Susie Osborne 808 640-3439
Kauai, Dec 2, 6-8pm. Lights on Rice Parade with the Kauai clubs in Downtown Lihue. The parade route is all along Rice Street, starting from Ho’olako Street and ending at Umi Street. Please arrive early and park along Hardy Street. Rice Street and Ho’olako Street will be closed from 6pm – 8pm for the parade.
Oahu. Dec 10 and 17, 10am-6pm at Ala Moana Center. RC of Metro needs volunteers at Angel Tree. The Salvation Army Angel Tree program runs every holiday season to provide Christmas gifts for keiki and kupuna and provide support to families in need throughout the year. As more and more of our local families face new economic challenges we need your help now more than ever. All children should feel the magic of Christmas during the holidays and no family should have to choose between paying the bills or paying for meals – especially during the happiest time of the year. As more and more of our neighbors look to us for help, we look to you for support. Contact Annabelle Stone at annabelle.stone1@me.com
Fundraisers:
Oahu, Dec 2, 5-9pm: Eco Rotary Club of Kakaako’s Christmas Party Fundraiser for Pearl Haven's Food Forest at Orange Theory Kaka’ako! Details: All proceeds will go to Ho‘ōla Nā Pua's Pearl Haven Food Forest and Planting Project our club has created and supports annually. Workout w/ us at Orange Theory! There will be two FREE classes any attendee can sign-up for, not required but a fun way to burn those calories before Christmas! Class #1: 5:30p-6:30p (48pax). Class #2: 6:45p-7:45p (48pax). Drinks: Keg from Hana Koa Brewing & Wine Tasting from Scout & Cellar. Music: DJ , @dj.zax. Prizes: Workplay 4x$50 gift cards, Lululemon Gift Card, Smart Living Hawaii’s Eco Basket, Swim Lessons, Orange Theory 1 month membership Pupus and Dessert: Donations from Holy Grail Vegan Donuts, 7Gradi Gelato, Lonohana Chocolate, Ukrainian Desserts. Feel free to bring a teen Christmas present/gift for the girls at Pearl Haven: Bath & Body Works, facial products, hair & nails accessories, arts & crafts, etc. Suggested $20+ Ticket Donation, please register today and reserve your spot! www.bit.ly/EcoXmas2022. Christina Laney Mitre, christina@laneyre.com, 808-282-1399
Scholarships!
Do you know a Hawaii high school senior (not closely related to a Rotarian) who would like to apply for a Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation (HRYF) scholarship? Sully and Joanna Sullivan started HRYF more than 50 years ago to help students realize their college education dreams. D5000 participating Rotary Clubs select a deserving student to receive a $5,000 of $2,500 scholarship and last year, $250,000 in scholarships were awarded by HRYF! The HRYF scholarship program is made possible by donations from Rotarians, Individuals, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and HRYF investments. You can help continue this program that Sully founded. HRYF is a 501(c)(3) Foundation. https://www.hawaiirotaryyouthfoundation.org/
The Windward Rotary Education Foundation (WREF), a separate 501c3 charitable organization of the Rotary Club of Windward Oahu, offers scholarships for graduating high school seniors who live or go to school on the Windward side of Oahu. The WREF scholarship is a 4-year scholarship of $20,000 ($5,000 each year). WREF scholars are selected based on academic achievement and financial need. The Rotary Club of Windward Oahu also offers a one-time scholarship grant of $1,000 through a bequest made to the club by a former member, Ross Mickey. If you have any questions, please contact the WREF scholarship chair, or 808.429.7829. Complete application packet from the HRFY website should be sent it to Roberta Cestare by Feb 1, 2023 at cestare@me.com
.png)
