Siblings Picnic
Tucson has a large number of foster children living in different homes often separated from their siblings all year long. Twelve years ago a Juvenile Court judge decided to bring them together for one day in October for a picnic so they can enjoy fun and games together with their siblings. Many who work for the foster care system in organizations like DCS volunteer their time on a Saturday to transport the kids to a local park for the picnic. For the last three years Pantano Rotary members have volunteered to help the children enjoy face painting, hair braiding, etc., and lunch at the picnic.
Also, one of our members, Linda Rumack, and her husband Gary, who are professional photographers, set up a background complete with scarecrows and pumpkins. When the children first arrive and are all together, they have their portrait taken as a family group and then they are ushered to the playground. By the time they leave that afternoon, they go home with a beautiful portrait of them with all their siblings as a memento to cherish for the rest of the year. Pantano Rotary pays for the printing of all the photos taken that day.
It is heartwarming to see the children enjoy their day carefree spent playing with their siblings. Pantano Rotary is honored to have been a part of this worthy endeavor for the last three years. MORE PICTURES
Also, one of our members, Linda Rumack, and her husband Gary, who are professional photographers, set up a background complete with scarecrows and pumpkins. When the children first arrive and are all together, they have their portrait taken as a family group and then they are ushered to the playground. By the time they leave that afternoon, they go home with a beautiful portrait of them with all their siblings as a memento to cherish for the rest of the year. Pantano Rotary pays for the printing of all the photos taken that day.
It is heartwarming to see the children enjoy their day carefree spent playing with their siblings. Pantano Rotary is honored to have been a part of this worthy endeavor for the last three years. MORE PICTURES
Sunnyside Angel Tree Project
For the past several years, the Pantano Rotary Club has participated in the Angel Tree project organized by Sunnyside School District’s Opportunity Center. The Center provides ongoing support and assistance for students and families. Of the Center’s many project, Angel Tree seeks to support homeless high school students during the holiday season. Each Angel is provided the name, grade level, interests, favorite colors; clothing sizes and wish list of a student who chooses to participate in the program. The program puts a $50 limit on expenditures for an individual student and, as you would expect, this limit is it difficult to maintain. Off the Angels go, shopping to fill a few wishes and special requests. What a special time of year for giving and receiving.
With gift bags and best wishes, the Angels meet their student at a special celebration at the Center where gifts are given and special appreciation is shared. What a special and joyful time of year for giving and receiving, a special time for all.
With gift bags and best wishes, the Angels meet their student at a special celebration at the Center where gifts are given and special appreciation is shared. What a special and joyful time of year for giving and receiving, a special time for all.
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award
RYLA is an intensive 4 day workshop for youth ages 14-17, 9-12 grade.
RYLA is designed to help young adults develop their leadership skills, self- confidence and character. These young people are chosen for their leadership potential to attend this annual all expense paid training program designed to build, strengthen and exercise leadership skills. This highly recognized leadership training program is looked at by colleges as a discriminator on applications.
Those who attend this RYLA workshop are generally able to successfully manage their own lives and careers while making a difference in their community.
RYLA is designed to help young adults develop their leadership skills, self- confidence and character. These young people are chosen for their leadership potential to attend this annual all expense paid training program designed to build, strengthen and exercise leadership skills. This highly recognized leadership training program is looked at by colleges as a discriminator on applications.
Those who attend this RYLA workshop are generally able to successfully manage their own lives and careers while making a difference in their community.
End Polio Now
In November, 2018 over 100 Rotary members from around the world took part in the El Tour de Tucson bicycle race. These Rotary members ride to raise funds for PolioPlus. The PolioPlus program is the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. The team’s goal was $3.4 million, which will be tripled by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, for a total of more than $10 million. Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.
The Interact Club we sponsor is based out of Sahuaro High School. The basic principle of the Interact Club is to help others, their motto being “service above self”. Through service activities, Interactors learn the importance of developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.
Sahuaro High Interact Club outlined all their projects (one a month) at their first meeting! Some of their projects include: Making a meal for residences at the Ronald McDonald House, participating in an “Angel Tree” project, decorating a nursing home for Christmas, working with their supporting Rotary Club filling Shoeboxes with needed items for children in Mexico, helping with a school’s Harvest Festival. And when Houston, TX was hit when with “Hurricane Harvey” The Interact Club raised $400 dollars and collected 2 large boxes of cleaning supplies in a week.
Our club, “Pantano Rotary" helps Guide their club by aligning their service with Rotary’s areas of focus. Promote their projects with announcements at our meetings and/or displaying them on the district website. Learn together by including them in our district conferences. Innovate by exchanging ideas that engages members and attracts new ones. Celebrate Successes when they exhibit their leadership skills. Strengthen Connections by introducing them to other clubs like Rotaract clubs which are Rotary College clubs. MORE PICTURES
Sahuaro High Interact Club outlined all their projects (one a month) at their first meeting! Some of their projects include: Making a meal for residences at the Ronald McDonald House, participating in an “Angel Tree” project, decorating a nursing home for Christmas, working with their supporting Rotary Club filling Shoeboxes with needed items for children in Mexico, helping with a school’s Harvest Festival. And when Houston, TX was hit when with “Hurricane Harvey” The Interact Club raised $400 dollars and collected 2 large boxes of cleaning supplies in a week.
Our club, “Pantano Rotary" helps Guide their club by aligning their service with Rotary’s areas of focus. Promote their projects with announcements at our meetings and/or displaying them on the district website. Learn together by including them in our district conferences. Innovate by exchanging ideas that engages members and attracts new ones. Celebrate Successes when they exhibit their leadership skills. Strengthen Connections by introducing them to other clubs like Rotaract clubs which are Rotary College clubs. MORE PICTURES
A Brush with Kindness
On Saturday, March 4, our club had the opportunity to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity's "A Brush with Kindness." Our club members painted the exterior of a room that just had the siding replaced due to water damage. We also installed gutters on the patio and around the newly painted room to prevent further water damage. It was a very worthwhile project and we were glad to help out this homeowner.
Click Here to see more pictures
Click Here to see more pictures
Sunnyside Thanksgiving Dinner
November 2018, we participated in the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner planned by the Sunnyside School District’s Opportunity Center. There were about 150 who attended and meals were served by representatives of the local community, Pima County Sheriff’s Department, Pantano Rotarians and others community members.
This turkey and ham dinner came with all the trimmings. Our club provided $500 for this event.
This turkey and ham dinner came with all the trimmings. Our club provided $500 for this event.
Four-way Speech Contest
In today’s society where civility is at an all-time low, the 4 Way test principles are especially apropos. These principles include truth, fairness, goodwill and friendship.
This year’s speech competition topic is “How can the application of the 4-Way test make a difference in our Global Community?”
On March 20, 2018, four Sahuaro High school students competed for the honor to represent Pantano Rotary Club at the Rotary District 5500 Annual Four-Way Speech Contest.
All four contestants were outstanding. The competition was the closest we've ever had in the history of the speech contest. In the end these were the results: 4th Place Raquel Thrall, 3rd Place Logan Smith, 2nd Place Halley Hughes, and 1st Place Winta Tekle. The future looks great for each of these young ladies.
This year’s speech competition topic is “How can the application of the 4-Way test make a difference in our Global Community?”
On March 20, 2018, four Sahuaro High school students competed for the honor to represent Pantano Rotary Club at the Rotary District 5500 Annual Four-Way Speech Contest.
All four contestants were outstanding. The competition was the closest we've ever had in the history of the speech contest. In the end these were the results: 4th Place Raquel Thrall, 3rd Place Logan Smith, 2nd Place Halley Hughes, and 1st Place Winta Tekle. The future looks great for each of these young ladies.
The Pantano Rotary Club was one of the sponsors for the first annual Sunnyside School District Thanksgiving Dinner for families. About 180 people attended and there were about 20 volunteers doing decorations, organizing the event, serving food and cleaning up after. Our club provided volunteers and our foundation was able to supply financial support for the dinner of $500. The Kino Rotary also participated so it was fun to work together for Rotary service.
Adoption Day
Once a year the Adoption Day in the Park happens at Morris K. Udall Park. In 2016, 100 children were adopted. This year our Club took on parking detail. Over 100+ children were adopted this year. We have promised that our Rotary Club will be in charge of parking this year in November. It was so moving to be at the event to see the families doing the paperwork and getting all in place for adoption.