See you this Wednesday!
Another Great Meeting Coming Up ~
Join us for the Fun!
The Magic is HERE!
Service above Self Since 2005
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Last Week's Meeting Highlights
We had an absolutely exceptional meeting last week as we kicked off our Holiday Adopt-A-Family Program! Thank you to Co-Chairs Martha Jeffers and Iris Monrreal for their hard work in coordinating with Lucia Diaz at the Mar Vista Family Center to select this year’s families.
Our Team Captains have been named, Teams have been formed and Families have been assigned.
And, in keeping with our Club’s tradition,
we had a great time assembling our
“Welcome Baskets” filled with a variety of food items and a holiday card filled with love and a little something extra to help with Holiday Shopping.
We will present these lovely baskets at our initial visit with our families and get to know a little more about each member and what their needs may be.
This is a beautiful program, and I don't believe
we truly know how much we impact
the families we help.
As a delightful surprise, we had an opportunity
to witness the impact our Club had on one
of our Families. We heard from Lorena
remarkable young woman who was a child
when we “adopted” her family.
Her words were incredibly inspirational, and she credits a big part of her journey and her accomplishments to the support that our Club provided her family at a low time in their lives.
It was impossible not to feel proud of this young woman - poised and articulate. She shared her
plans to attend Law School and become an
advocate for justice, especially for women.
Lorena and her younger sister Alma will be participating on an Adopt-A-Family
team with us this year.
What a full circle moment!
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We also heard from the Founder of the Jacaranda School for Orphans in Malawi, Africa, Marie Da Silva. What a powerful story of perseverance and purpose born out of the tragedy that the Aids Epidemic had on her community, which left so many children without parents. This amazing school has blossomed
into a multifaceted source of education,
personal empowerment, sustainability,
and creative expression.
She is truly an “Angel Among Us” and her story was
so deeply inspiring. Every aspect of her passion has transformed the lives of so many – like a stone tossed in a lake, the ripples of her
vision have radiated far and wide.
We are so immensely proud to partner with
Member Richard Shelton and Otis College of Art and Design to support this amazing School!
After our Club Meeting, we sat down with Marie to discuss the possibility of applying for a Global Grant, together with Otis College. The possibilities look promising, and we will be seeking partnerships with other local Rotary Clubs in the coming months.
We will announce opportunities to get involved as we progress in the application process.
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** MEMBERSHIP JOY! **
Membership Chair, Rob Bird, had the pleasure
of presenting new members, Debbie Bennett, and Racquel Frawley their badges…
And, Member Carla Dickerson was presented a new badge with her new designation of NOTARY –
our very own Rotary Notary!! Congratulations ladies!
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** PVSR BOARD IN ACTION **
As we close in on our first 6 months of this Rotary Year – We look forward to a busy Holiday Season and are excited to have many projects and
programs on the horizon.
Over the past week, we had an opportunity to guage our progress at both our Board of Directors meeting and Foundation Board Meeting and I am happy
to report that we are doing very well and
are exceeding our fundraising goals.
We are grateful to our Club and Foundation Leaders for their hard work, dedication, and vision.
We will hear more about our progress at our upcoming Club Assembly on November 27th.
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** SERVING AT MIDNIGHT MISSION **
One of our most moving and fulfilling programs is the opportunity to volunteer at the Midnight Mission.
We had a wonderful team of Rotarians and friends serve the Homeless community this past Sunday.
Thank you to all and thank you Chair Lucy Wegner for making all the arrangements including a delicious dinner at the completion of our “Shift.”
It’s not everyday that you get to wear a hair net!! =)
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** This Week's Speaker:
PDG Cozette Returns! **
We welcome back Past District Governor, Cozette Vergari, who will share “Part 2”
of her presentation detailing our community’s fascinating history and dynamic local heroes. Cozette is a Past President of the Westchester Rotary Club, Former Honorary Mayor of Westchester, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Westchester/Playa Historical Society. Cozette was instrumental in creating the Discovery Center, located in the Westchester Triangle that showcases our amazing local History.
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** DATES TO REMEMBER **
There are many other events happening throughout the holiday season!
** Our Santa Tour
** Holiday Gift Wrapping Party
** Mark Twain Bell Ringers
**Fun and Fabulous Fellowship Day…
Please keep an eye on our Club Calendar and
join in the service and spirit of Rotary!
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November 27th Will be a CLUB ASSEMBLY
where we will share a little gratitude, discuss some club business including the announcement of our Slate for 2025-2026, provide updates related to our finances and reflect on the Rotary year so far.
Since Brady and I started our year this past July 1st, our club has done some wonderful work and we have not only provided much needed support for so many in our community, we have also overcome some pretty major hurdles.
We are STRONGER TOGETHER and we still have many exciting programs on the horizon! I hope you can join us on this day of Thanksgiving - beforeThanksgiving.
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! Please Note Important DATE CHANGE !
Due to a scheduling conflict,
we are moving the Fun at Cantalini’s event
from Sunday, November 24 to SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd – still 3-6pm.
Please join us for food, fun and fellowship!!
Meet at Cantalini’s Salerno Beach Restaurant
for Cicchetti(chi-keh-tee)
Please come hungry and enjoy the variety
of small plates and delicious drinks while hanging out with our Rotary friends. This event is open to everyone, so please bring a guest!!
We hope you can Join us - Salute!
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Another fun hands-on service project will take place at the December 4th Club Meeting,
where we will be making wreaths for the seniors of the Westside Pacific Village community.
We hope to brighten the doors and hearts of these
wonderful neighbors.
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THE FUN CONTINUES
Wednesday Night ....
Our Holiday Happy Hour will be held at Whiskey Reds on Wednesday, December 4th 5:30p
At the Happy Hour, we will be collecting Toys and Pet supplies for the annual Toy Drive hosted by our
dear friends, Jane St. John, and Felicia St. Denis. Please come and join in the Pre-Holiday Fun!!
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* VENICE H.S. JACKETS OF EXCELLENCE *
We will join the Venice Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the academic achievements of the “Jackets of Excellence” recipients.
The awards reception is being held at
the Venice High School Auditorium on December 5th at 4:30P.
This is an incredible program that
we are so honored to support.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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It's the
"Name this Member"
Game
Identify this member and win two raffle tickets at our next meeting...
Our Pot of Gold is growing!
Be the First to TEXT PRESIDENT LISA
with your guess and WIN!
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See you Wednesday for the fun!
President Lisa's Rotary Jumble has become a club Fave!
This week's words associated with Autumn.
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We're Proud to be
Playa Venice ROTARIANS! Foundation President Gail's
ROTARY PIN Pride Raffle!
It's Easy ...
wear your Pride & Pins or logo clothing
to the meeting to enter this special raffle hosted by Foundation President, Gail Goldstein!
Will you be this weeks winner? You never know what the prize will be!!
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We Are BETTER TOGETHER! "Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today"
