Laguna Niguel Rotary Rallies Behind Community “Trunk or Treat” Halloween Event Our Laguna Niguel Rotary Club joined in with twenty Laguna Niguel Chamber-member businesses and non-profits united to create a special, and safe, Halloween for kids at a "Trunk or Treat" event in the YMCA parking lot. Each group parked their cars, and opened their trunks, while 20 families per hour went “trunk to trunk” to pick up treats. Giveaways included 16,000 pieces of candy, treats, and promotional items. |
Do you have what it takes to become a dynamic leader and change yourself and the world? The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA and eRYLA online) is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. Due to COVID-19, for 2021, RYLA will be a virtual, online camp.What is RYLA Camp (now eRYLA online for 2021)? Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is all about Rotarians working with youth in leadership development. It is an intensive training/experiential program for about 180 high school students in their pivotal junior year, who are chosen for their proven or potential leadership abilities. Students participate in an all-expense online “camp” from their homes over five days. The camp is run by RYLA Alumni and student attendance is sponsored by Rotary Clubs from throughout District 5320. Attendance is free for qualified high school Juniors. Students are joined by talented young people from communities throughout the district. RYLA provides a memorable opportunity to learn, grow, have fun, make new friends, and gain a new and improved focus. Click here for more info! |
Rotary Club of Laguna Niguel Donates Life Saving Clean Water Wells in Uganda, Africa
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Helping people with disabilities make their own music Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school. |
Finding Safe Haven For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity. |
Saving lives in Ghana What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga. |
Imagine, for a moment, that you and your children have no access to healthy, clean water. You and your daughter or son have to walk miles, twice a day, to collect contaminated water in heavy jerry cans to be used for your cooking, washing, and bathing. As you continue this daily ritual, you understand that 1 in 5 children under five years of age, and many adults, are dying from parasites that even boiling the water could not stop. Yet you continue because no one can survive without water the water you collect is the only water available to your village. Your daughters and sons carry water instead of being in school each day. There is little hope for a future.