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Club History

February 13, 2009 Comments off

The Rotary Club of San Ramon was chartered in 1984. Since then this outstanding club has been committed to serving the San Ramon Valley. The weekly meetings of active professionals have allowed the means for improving the San Ramon Valley while increasing professional relationships. Since 1984 the club has met at the Crow Canyon Country Club on Thursday, 12:15 p.m.

The Club has a history of excellence demonstrated by recognition from City of San Ramon, Town of Danville, San Ramon Unified School District, and San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, teachers and students, San Ramon Education Foundation, YMCA and many others. Rotary District has awarded the Rotary Club of San Ramon the Outstanding club in the District several times along with many, many other awards. In addition, three District 5160 Governors have come from our membership.

Since the Club’s early years, San Ramon Rotarians have volunteered for special educational / community / international projects. The volunteer opportunities have provided numerous rewarding experiences for the givers and recipients. Examples:

  • Senior Smoke Alarm Project: In partnership with the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection Dist., seniors smoke alarms are checked. Batteries and/or alarms are replaced.
  • Members have also been involved in projects in Mexico, Africa, Russia, and Brazil
  • San Ramon Seniors: SR Senior Center - Assisted upgrading the senior’s garden plots, annual holiday luncheon and support of their events. Sunny Glenn - extensive support financial and physical work projects to upgrade this facility.
  • The Club sponsors and supports the California High School Interact Club where students direct their energies to supporting charitable causes of their choosing.

For the last 25 years, working with the San Ramon Unified School District, an Educator of the Year is selected from each school in the District. Each of these Educators is presented to the club along with a check and plaque. The Student of the Month comes from California High School. They are presented to the Club and receive a plaque, check and most valuable to them, a parking space in front of the school for one month.

Since 1985 Rotary International as worked to removed polio through the program Polio Plus. One way Club members have demonstrate their support of Rotary International, is by contributing to Polio Plus. Club members’ generous contributions to Rotary International’s effort to eradicate polio, has helped reduce cases of the disease by more than 99 percent. Club members have joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (which committed $355,000,000) to “finish the job” of ridding the world of polio.

Since the beginning, a variety of social functions each year add to the Club’s strength of outstanding individuals. Dinners, wine country excursions, small dinner parties, bocce ball and horse racing events and more, provide the opportunity for good fellowship.

Since 1984 the Rotary Club of San Ramon has raised and distributed over $1,500,000:

  • Christmas Tree Lot: 15 years ago club member John Tatum started the Christmas Tree Lot as a club fundraiser. It is located on Alcosta Blvd., adjacent to Iron Horse Middle School, from Thanksgiving weekend to mid December, deliveries and set-up are available. The funds from the sales are designated for Foundation Grants to non-profit organizations in the San Ramon Valley, in the U.S., and in foreign lands.
  • San Ramon Wind Fair - annual supporters/participants in this event where the Club sponsors two wine & beer booths.
  • 26 years of the CarboLoad Family Pasta Party event. This is held in conjunction with Toyota at their warehouse. The event has grown to include dancing, extensive pasta dinner, an exceptional Kids Fun Area, large silent auction, a valuable raffle prize and much more. All proceeds from this event are directed to the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation for granting to classroom projects within the school district.
  • Dictionary Project: Each 3rd grade student in the San Ramon Valley Unified School District is handed a high quality dictionary from Rotary.
  • Grants: For over 20 years the Grants Committee has accepted grant requests. These are now due in March, reviewed then are presented to the recipients at Club meetings in the spring.
  • The Rotary Club of San Ramon supports local non-profit organizations: San Ramon Chamber of Commerce (member), San Ramon Valley Education Foundation, Leadership of San Ramon, YMCA and others.

In conclusion, members of the Rotary Club of San Ramon enjoy a strong fellowship joined by the humanitarian spirit that is displayed in community and international service projects.