Delivering Thanksgiving Baskets

The Rotary Slub of South Sacramento helped make families from local schools have a brighter Thanksgiving by providing all the items needed for a full dinner to five families. In the picture on the left, Past Presidents (left to right) Jim Tracy, Barbara Tracy, and Michael DiGrazia pose with happy recipients. More recipients on the right pose with Jim and Principal Charlotte Chadwick.

South Sac Celebrates Veterans' Day

Our special speaker on November 14 was Brigadier General Matthew Beevers from the National Guard who expanded our vision of the National Guard by sharing its vast involvement not only in security but in rescue and recovery. He is shown in the picture on the left with South Sac President Dave Lambros. In the picture on the right, Keiko Wong (far left), President of the Rotary Club of Pcoket-Greenhaven, and Past President Judy Foote present Michael DiGrazia (third from left) and President Lambros with a check thanking the club for its support of their recent fundraising project.

Motorcycle Bob Shares with Club

Bob Mutchler, better known as Motorcycle Bob, was the special speaker at South Sac Rotary's club meeting on Monday, November 7. Bob contracted polio at a very young age and is a living example of someone who has been able to rise above his disabilities. Since in those days people did not know how polio was contracted, Bob was isolated as a teenager. When he decided to ride a motorcycle, he was told he couldn't do it. In the last 25+ years, Bob has ridden many thousands of  miles, much of it in pursuit of funds to support Polio Plus. When he was younger, he participated in extreme rides, at one time covering 1,000 miles a day for 11 straight days. Today, Bob still rides and takes every opportunity to share his passion--Polio Plus.

Honoring Another Great Student

South Sacramento Rotary always enjoys recognizing deserving students, and this month's winner is Vera Goncharuk. A senior, Vera says she aims for straight "A's" and is planning on attending CSU Sacramento in the fall. She wants to be an elementary school teacher because she loves school and enjoys working with young children. Pictured with Vera are JR Springer (left), Student of the Month chair, and 2011-12 Club President Dave Lambros.

A Look at South Sacramento's RYLA Students

Since we failed to take a picture when they visited our club on October 3, we visited our two 2011 RYLA participants on Thursday, October 13. Teddy Chang and Kayza Lao decided on an American flag to use as a background. What you can't see are the two underclassmen that they asked to hold the flag for them! These are two young people with bright futures, and South Sacramento Rotary is proud to have had the opportunity to sponsor them at RYLA.

Recognizing Exemplary Students

South Sacramento Rotary recognized Allanique James, a senior at Luther Burbank High School, as it Student of the Month at its October 10 meeting. Allanique hopes to become a social worker or serve in another capacity with children. Pictured with her (third from left) from left to right are Dave Lambros, South Sacramento Rotary President; Emily Catlett, Luther Burbank High School counselor; and Andrea Meisner, club Student of the Month chair.