Dear Rotarians and Friends,
I start this first newsletter of 2023 by wishing each one of you and your families a Happy New Year with good health and may you be able to achieve one dream/goal dear to your heart! I also wish our club a year full of meaningful service, new opportunities and warm fellowship among us.
Like every year, we ended 2022 on a high note connecting with the community through the successful Santa Tour, the joyous wrapping party and the emotional delivery of gifts to the Adopt-a-family homes! The warmth of the Christmas/Hanukkah spirit blended us into a more united Family. See below few some pictures.
A New Year is also a New beginning, an opportunity to see everyone around us with new eyes and approach every situation with a new outlook. When I think of a challenging person, I think: How does his/her mother see him/her? I try to look at that person as if I was his/her mother. She always sees the positive in her child!
This goes also for our relationship together. We have different ways of doing things and can get on other' nerves :) It’s a New Day: let’s give each other a chance, the same way we’d like others to give us a chance!
Joe Chehade - Club President
Let’s Be a Family!
Coming up this month
Here are highlights of what’s happening in January:
WHITE ELEPHANT GIFT EXCHANGE - Wednesday January 4:
Join the first and very fun meeting of the year. Wrap that unwanted gift you received and let’s have some fun.
HAPPY HOUR @ CINCO - Thursday January 5:
Stop by anytime between 5:30 and 7:30, invite friends and family and let’s have another bonding fellowship time.
TEACHERS' MINI-GRANT AWARDS - Wednesday January 11
Plan to attend this special meeting to support our local schools and teachers!
Our Club raises funds and collaborates with the Education Committee of the LAX Chamber of Commerce to empower our teachers to proactively seek funding for much-needed classroom supplies, equipment, and curriculum.
DISTRICT BRUNCH - Sunday January 15
The theme is “An afternoon of Peace” with two keynote speakers. Our club is covering part of the cost. Few spots are still available. Contact Lucy Wegner: Lwegner63@gmail.com
HIKE WITH VIDA - Sunday January 29
Our own Vida Ash will lead a monthly hike. Great way to explore the outdoors, strengthen our muscles AND our friendship! At least for this first time, it will be a family friendly, easy hike. All levels (and ages) are welcome! More details later.
Please check the events on our website HERE for more details and long term planning
ZOOM LINK
to join on Wednesday
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86752687629
Meeting ID: 867 5268 7629 Password: 872956
One tap mobile Dial 669 900 6833
December events
SANTA TOUR
It was the most successful Santa Tour, with hundreds waiting for Santa at each of the 5 stops!
Wrapping Party
The room looked like Santa's Shop! It was the perfect fusion between Service and Fellowship. The smiles of everyone spoke volume! Gail Goldstein’s mom, from Heaven, supplied the wrapping paper. Venice High School Interactors and The Lady Elks also joined.
Gifts Delivery
It’s the Grand finale of our activities, the culmination of 45 days of teamwork and abundant Love outpouring from the Rotarians, their families and many supporters! The generator of unforgettable Rotary Moments!
Team Monica: ‘Naughty Nutcrackers’ said:The Sanchez family served our Rotarians hot chocolate and fruit when they delivered the gifts.
Team Ray / Venice High School Interactors: ‘Golden Gondos’: They also went shopping together with Ray and Carmina.
Lucy: ‘Santa’s S’Mores’: Another needy family who needed essentials - sofa, microwave and dresser - the latter two were donated by a member of the community.
James & Maria: ‘Holiday Sleigh Riders’
Team Vuchsas: ‘Santa’s Angels’
Team Bobbie: ‘The No Jingle Bells’:Received a thank you text from mom, Jessica Juarez: “Merry Christmas 
Thank you so much for the presents 
my kids are so happy 
“
Team Gail & Rob: ‘Getting Caroled Away’:Delivering gifts and building trundle beds for the family. Their young daughter’s reaction is priceless!
Team Kathrine: ‘Rotary Rock’n Reindeers’:This was a family very much in need - bed (shared by mom and daughter), fridge, heat. Tracey’s outreach and fundraising skills helped raise additional funds needed to purchase these essential items.
Team Lisa: ‘Golden Ringers’ Delivery and a rare peek at the family opening their gifts!
Team Ramona: ‘Spirited Sparkles’
First year captain Ramona was challenged with "one of the shiest families I’ve met in my 10 years of this program", but she prevailed by granting all wishes, big and small!
.
