The Annual Fireworks Stand

Each year South Sacramento Rotary raises funds at its TNT fireworks stand in the Raley's parking lot on Freeport Blvd. Members raise funds while having fun and getting to know each other better. Pictured above on the left from left to right are JR Springer, Anne Hasbrook Smith, Ed Trujillo, Liz Long, and Dave Lambros. All five have served as club president over the years. Pictured on the right is Frank Cook, former South Sacramento member and now a member of the Sacramento Club, who returns each year to play Uncle Sam and help out his old club.

Cleaning Up Florin Road

The Luther Burbank High School NJROTC Program joined with South Sacramento Rotary on May 10 to clean up florin Road between Highway 99 and 24th Street. Breaking into teams, the students and Rotarians spread out over the area and collected trash of all sizes. At noon, they reconvened at the school and shared pizzas. Several vendors along the way thanked the groups for helping keep the area clean.

A Special Day



It's always a special day when South Sacramento Rotary presents funds to non-profit organizations that are helping make life a little brighter for those who have fallen on hard times. Receiving funds this year were Shelterbox, Camp Grizzly, Sacramento City College scholarships, the Y, St. John's Shelter, a scholarship for Luther Burbank High School, the South Sacramento Interfaith Partnership Food Closet, "I Can Do That," Women's Empowerment, Camellia Juniors, the Sacrmento Guitar Society, the Children's Receiving Home, the Moral Values Program, and Loaves and Fishes and Mustard Seed School. The club also sent a check in support of Rotary House which provides housing for the families of children who are going through treatment at the UC Med Center. It's always a highlight of the year as representatives share what their non-profits do and build new relationships with others in attendance.

Saluting Top-Notch Students

At  recent meeting, South Sacramento Rotary recognized Students of the Month for April and May. Bryan Ballesteros (2nd from left) and Mai Su Vue (second from right) pose with their counselor and hold their certificates and checks as Rotarians Jocelyn Yap (far left) and David Lambros (back) look on.

South Sac Hosts Annual Speech Tournament

On March 6, South Sacramento Rotary hosted its annual club speech tournament. Four contestants--all juniors from Inderkum High School--competed for the privilege of moving on to the next level, and the winner was Nicole Osorio (second from right) who walked away with a check for $200. She will compete with other club winners at the next level on April 10. Pictured above (from left to right) are Dave Lambros, Sadaf Arshad, Callista McMaye, Karisha Moore, Nicole, and South Sac chair Jocelyn Yap.

Welcoming Steve Mauch

South Sacramento Rotary welcomed Steve Mauch into membership on February 27. Newly retired, Steve looks forward to getting involved in service with Rotary. Pictured above with him are (from left to right) his sponsor, Jim Tracy; South Sacramento President, Craig Stevenson; Steve's wife, Carleen; Steve; and Assistant Governor and South Sacramento member, Barbara Tracy,

Recognition and More Recognition!

It was a day of recognition! First of all, President Craig Stevenson (top left on the right) recognized Liz Long and Jim Tracy for earning their Paul Harris + 2 and Paul Harris + 3 awards respectively. Later in the meeting, Dave Lambros (right) introduced Luther Burbank Students of the Month for December and January: Cynthia Lemus (left with certificate) and Kajol Sharma (right with certificate). Behind them their proud counselors, Emily Catlett (left) and Leticia Gallardo, stand with them as they receive their certificates and checks.

Helping the Salvation Army

For each of the four weekends from Thanksgiving to Christmas, South Sacramento Rotarians rang the bell at Raley's on Freeport Boulevard to help support the Salvation Army. Pictured above from left to right are Dave Lambros and Jocelyn Yap, Jim and Barbara Tracy, and Jim Simmons and Krysia Falltrick. The club enthusiastically supports this effort each year as they seek to serve.

Celebrating His 90th

South Sacramento Rotary joined with Al Franks in celebrating his 90th birthday in October. Pictured above, Al enjoys his birthday surprise as fellow Rotarians wish him the best for his net year. Al is an avid golfer and is happy that his golf score frequently is lower than his age.

Celebrating Another Winner

At a recent meeting, South Sacramento Rotary honored another student from Luther Burbank High School as its Student of the Month. Pictured above are Rotarian Jocelyn Yap (left) and October winner Vyvy Tran.

Celebrating the Rotary Foundation

South Sacramento Rotary focused on the Rotary Foundation at a recent meeting. On the left, Kathy Clemens (right) of the Roseville Club and a member of the District 5180 Foundation Committee recognizes Dave Lambros and Barbara Tracy as new members of the Paul Harris Society. In the center, Dave's wife Jocelyn Yap presents Dave with his Paul Harris + 6 pin. At the right, Jim Simmons presents a check from the club foundation to Gianina Frazee from the Boy Scouts of America.

Rotarians Help "Paint the Town"

The threat of rain didn't keep South Sacramento Rotarians from participating in the annual "Paint the Town." Working with CSUS student volunteers, they began early in the morning, and by the time the rains came, they had prepped the front yard and installed sod, planted a flower garden, removed a broken window, and built most of a fence at a home in the Fruitridge area of South Sacramento. Determined to finish, the fence builders ignored the rain and made sure the fence was complete before packing up for the day. Pictured from left to right in the picture at the left are J. R. Springer, Barbara Tracy, Krysia Falltrick, Barry Hogan, Anne Hasbrook, Jim Tracy, and Michael DiGrazia. Ed and Edie Trujillo joined the group for part of the morning. Also pictured above are Krysia and Michael working on the fence and J.R, who had experience working with glass, removing the window.

DG Inducts New Member

District Governor Bill Short inducted South Sacramento's newest member, Scott Rogalski, into the club at his recent DG visit. Pictured above from left to right are Michael DiGrazia, Membership Chair; Craig Stevenson, Club President; Scott; and District Governor Bill Short. Scott is the Business Banking Officer from Lodi to Sacramento for Farmers and Merchants Bank.

Helping Out at St. John's Shelter

South Sacramento Rotary members helped out at St. John's Shelter on August 23. Volunteers were used in the kitchen and in the clothing area where they sorted clothes and other household items. President Craig climbed up a ladder and worked on top of the cabinetry while the rest of us prayed for his safety! Pictured below in starting at the top right and moving clockwise are Liz Long, Craig Stevenson, Dave Lambros and Jocelyn Yap, and JR Springer. Jim and Barbara Tracy also helped out.

Reaching Out to Others Who Have a Passion for Service

What a fun Saturday evening! Rotarian Nancy Coben opened her home on Greenhaven Lake to club members and others they thought might like to join them. The food was great; the company, enjoyable. Members participated in a short program and shared informally about their own Rotary experiences.

Sharing RYLA Experiences

South Sacramento sent three students to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) camp this summer, and August 1 was their day to visit the club and share their experiences. Pictured from left to right are Gabriel Santos, Phoenix Daniels, and Kamira Johnson. All three were enthusiastic about their experience, talked about personal growth that had taken place during the camp, and shared their plans for the future. Club members were impressed with their openness and their enthusiasm.

Celebrating JR's Year

South Sacramento's annual "Demotion" Dinner was held on Tuesday, June 18 at the Pheasant Club in West Sacramento. Members celebrated JR Springer's successful year and crowned him King JR. In the picture above, Past President Dave Lambros (left picture on the right) congratulates JR. On the right, JR is seen thanking John Wochnick with a Paul Harris Award. For years, John has taken on the responsibility of preparing the room for meetings, often arriving over an hour early to make sure all pieces are in place.

Supporting Sacramento Area Programs

One of the most enjoyable meetings of the year is the one where South Sacramento Rotary distributes the proceeds from its crab feed. This year, dollars were given to the following non-profit organizations, all of which reach out to help those in need: ShelterBox USA, NorCal Camp Grizzly, Sacramento City College for scholarships, the YMCA, St. John's Shelter for Women and Children, the Moral Values Program, Luther Burbank High School for scholarships, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, Loaves and Fishes Mustard Seed School, SSIP Food Closet, Very Special Arts "I Can Do That!", Sacramento Children's Home TAP Program, Ba of Life, Next Move (formerly Sac Are Emergency Housing), Music Partners in Health Care, Camellia Juniors Orchestra, Horses Healing Heroes, and the Sacramento Guitar Society. Representatives from these organizations who could attend the meeting are pictured above. One of the side benefits of this year's meeting was the opportunity to network. Many representatives found others in the group with whom they could collaborate on future projects and spent some time after the meeting discussing possibilities.

Dara Lee Joins South Sacramento Rotary

Dave Wilson (left) and President JR Springer (right) welcomed newest member Dara Lee into the membership of South Sacramento Rotary. Dara is looking forward to being actively involved in club activities and projects.

Another Paul Harris for Jim

Jim Connick (left) was presented with his 4th Paul Harris Award at a recent meeting. Shown above is President JR Springer presenting Jim with his newest recognition pin.