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DANCING WITH THE CARS 2023 A BIG SUCCESS!

Orinda Rotary's annual Dancing with the Cars kick-off to the Orinda Classic Car Show was held on Friday September 8 and was a very successful celebration of volunteerism in our community! Young and old gathered to recognize the tremendous contributions local volunteers make improving the quality of life in Orinda and beyond...

Attendees enjoyed cocktails, appetizers and a display of classic "land yacht" luxury vehicles courtesy of Orinda's Classic Car Show.

As Orinda Rotary begins its 75th year, the club raised a toast to honor all those individuals and organizations in Orinda that make our community so special!

DONATE HERE FOR THE MAUI FIRES RELIEF FUND

Rotary clubs throughout the U.S. are rallying support to assist those impacted by the devastating wildfires on Maui. Here in Northern California, we are all too familiar with the devastation wildfires can cause.

The Rotary Club of Orinda is collecting donations through our endowment to send to Rotary District 5000 (Hawai'i) for direct Maui Fire Relief where it is needed most. Click here to donate to the Maui Fires Relief Fund trough the Rotary Club of Orinda Endowment Fund, a 501(c)(3) charity fund, and we will be sure you receive a tax donation letter.

If you would like to donate directly to District 5000 (Hawai'i), click here to donate to the Rotary District 5000 (Hawai'i) Maui Fires Relief Fund, which is also a 501(c)(3) charity organization.

If you would prefer to donate by check, please make your check out to the "Orinda Rotary Endowment" with the notation: "Maui Relief Fund" in the memo line. You can bring your check to one of our regular Wednesday meetings and join us for lunch, or mail it to: Rotary Club of Orinda, P.O. Box 44, Orinda, CA 94563.

Rotarians have a long history of "Service Above Self" and of coming together in times of need. We thank any and all who are able to support this effort.

REFURBISHING ORINDA OAKS PARK

Orinda Rotary club members assembled for Rotary "Visibility Day" and a celebratory BBQ in Orinda Oaks Park on April 29 to unveil the first of several refurbished benches. The club helped improve benches and tables in the park, which is a great facility for group/family gatherings.

JOIN ROTARY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP OUT AT THE CONTRA COSTA FOOD BANK

Orinda Rotary's commitment to help out at the Contra Costa/Solano County Food Bank continues to assist families in need! WE NEED YOU THERE! Food Bank distributions and need jumped tremendously because of the pandemic, and there is no sign it is slowing down.

Volunteer sessions are scheduled each month. Our next outing to the Food Bank is Friday, September 22, from 1-3 PM. Participants carpool and often share lunch prior to their work at the warehouse. Please contact Clay Deanhardt if you are interested participating.

CLUB MEETINGS ARE "HYBRID" - IN-PERSON AND ONLINE

Orinda Rotary offers in-person meetings that include scheduled speakers! Our in-person meetings are held in the Founder's Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center and include no-host hot lunches. You must be fully vaccinated (two vaccinations and a booster) in order to attend in-person. Because of the increase in COVID cases, masks are encouraged when not actively eating/drinking. We trust that you will follow the Rotary 4-Way Test and adhere to our policy. Social gathering starts at noon and the meetings begin promptly at 12:30 PM. Click here to let our caterer, Leslie, know if you plan to attend in person and have lunch (cost is $25 per person)!

We also use the online teleconferencing service "Zoom" for those who prefer to attend virtually. Each week, members receive an e-mail from Club President, Clay Deanhardt with instructions on how to join the upcoming meeting, including the requisite meeting ID and password. Members can join video conferencing from their computer or via phone. Non-members interested in participating in our meeting(s) may contact President Clay to request the Zoom link.

Upcoming speakers: Elaine Kociolek, the Adult Literacy Program Manager for Contra Costa County Library, and the lead for Rotary's Project Second Chance talks about this successful adult literacy program; Wednesday, September 27: Heather Matthews, Director of Communications at Huckleberry Youth Programs; Wednesday, October 4: Our own Horst Rademacher will tell us about the upcoming annular "ring of fire" solar eclipse coming on Saturday, October 14.

Additional Upcoming Events and Programs: Friday, September 22: Monthly volunteer outing to the Contra Costa Food Bank (see story above); Saturday, October 21: Annual Tom Fitch Fishing Day at the San Pablo Reservoir for the Boys and Girls Club of Oakland (more details to come).

If you have questions, please contact President Clay or more information.