FogHorn , November 15, 2018 -  THANKFUL THURSDAY

He cites three valuable Rotary programs: 

    1) Big Coyote Little Coyote - their one on one mentoring in which Rotarians are paired with a student to just listen and network as generally they do not have a circle of professionals in their lives.

    2) Rotary Student Recognition at which students are recognized for achievement and attendance quarterly at a Rotary lunch with their family.

    3) Rotary and the Chamber @ the High School’s week-long program honing resume writing, interviewing and other aspects for success in the business world and getting a job.

 

    PP Warren Barman suggests that Big C & Little C be opened up to other community participation, non-Rotarian

 

    1) Coastside Clean Team focuses on beach between Kelly and Poplar from which they have removed 10,000 pounds of trash hiring homeless and needy to provide Clean Beach and Dignity

    2) Potrero Nuevo Farm Program provided dignity of work, healthy food, ecological awareness and disease prevention

    3) Free Breakfast and fresh produce Wednesday and Thursday mornings at Lutheran Church with Rotarians cooking on last Wednesday of the month

    4) Helping Homeless through dignity of work. There is a perception of homelessness as a "self inflicted problem” so sympathies hard to come by. They just disregard the reason for problem(s) and just respond to the Needs.

 

She offered her varied perspectives on Rotary’s support of the Schools

    As a Parent she saw the wonder, awe and pride her child had for their Third Grade Dictionary - BIG THANKS

    As a Teacher 9-10 years ago she’ll always remember her first New Teachers’ Orientation including the Rotary Welcome Luncheon, she felt the warmth and welcome.

    As an Administrator she sees us (Paul) charing the Education Committee and commitment by Rotary to Education: “What do you Need anything while I’m out? How can we help?”

 

John arrived 25 years ago and felt so welcome by Rotary on his first day. Raised in San Francisco he taught in Oroville then HMB has been in Education for 35 years ( his Dad for 43). He notes Rotary does its part in community building, giving it context and valuation. This year $192K was given in scholarships from the Half Moon Bay community organizations.  Our Club is a part of that and has been for years. .He praised our Foreign Exchange Student Program, saying that they work exclusively with ‘"Rotary due to trust and results." He also salutes the week of instruction by Rotary and Chamber of Commerce for the High School Seniors.

 

They received a $5K grant from Rotary toward preschoolers math program for pre-K and pre-primary schoolers and from the Big Lift Program to help students reach their reading levels by grade 3. They have coaching for Big Lift and Mathy Skills. Experiencing problem retaining teachers due to cost of living. Coaches to support teachers is great, work out of diverse campuses.

 

Anne Malley Head Librarian HMB Library-

She g a Big Thanks for Rotary Plaza! the new Library is seeing between 1,000 and 1,200 visits a day up from 480. The living room comfort of home is attractive. The have a literary pairing program for 40+.

Also offer Homework Help, Computer Help and Reading Clubs.

 

Rotary has never forgotten us! They have small classes, 12 - 25 in graduating classes. Total HMB community donations of $40K were given at graduation for scholarships. They have college grads in mechanical engineering, nursing, teaching etc.School is 70% bilingual, and they bring in interpreters to level the playing filed. Work with Stanford for this.

They are offering a coaching program to students of color to “Take up Space” to level the social playing field.

 

Randy asks forgiveness for his indiscretions in the school system saying that  he is a better man now by far. He admires our Club's motto,  “It's not about who we are, it is all about what we do”. The  grant from our Club's fundraiser "Magic of the Coastside" three years ago supported a fishing trip out of local harbor. He is the middle man between Rotary’s giving and the beneficiaries. They run trips through California, western states and Costa Rica. Our name helps by association, lending credibility. Disabled vets and beneficiaries say that Purple Heart Anglers give them “The Thank You I never got on my return from Viet Nam.” He experiences a great dedication of members and strong familiar connections are developeed which are supportive and long lasting. “Thank you to all”

 

Cara Schmaljohn Director of Senior Coastsiders.

Our grant from Rotary this last year went going to Meals on Wheels. This program is serving over 25,000 meals per year. Looking around, Cara says she knows all of us and knows we reach out into the community other ways as well…a big ThANKS!

 

They are serving 2,500 kids per year from San Mateo County at their farm in El Granada and their school gardens. Their best success is busing low income kids in to experience the program.  Our grant two years ago made possible their second outdoor classroom; so now the buses can run full for more benefit to the served youth…Many Thanks!

 

Pres. Paul signs off with “ All of us are better than any of us"