Well aren’t these unprecedented times? I hope all of you are well and keeping safe. It’s important to me that we all stay connected through this time one way or another, whether it’s via a message such as this, a phone call, text, Facebook posts, etc. We are truly all in this together and human connection in some fashion is essential for our well-being. So, please stay in touch with one another.
One of the things I’ve been doing for my mental health is to get out for a walk, and my dogs benefit as well. I’ve certainly seen an uptick in people walking around the neighborhood. In fact, I saw Vince & Betsy walking the other day!
Let’s use the power of Simi Sunrise Rotary as best as we can during this time. We are a community that can work together to overcome these obstacles. If any of you, our members, need ANYTHING, please reach out. If you know someone in our community who needs help, let us know. If we can help while staying safe, I know we will.
Lastly, in these times of uncertainty, it warms my heart when I see stories of those doing good. Such as Zion Williamson, the 19-year old professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans, who pledged to pay the salaries of the arena workers for a month. The story of someone leaving a $9,400 tip with a note reading: “hold tip to pay your workers over the next few weeks”. And the story of a 7-year old boy who didn’t get to celebrate his birthday at school on St Patrick’s Day, but who’s mom reached out to the neighborhood. He was supposed to walk around his neighborhood to count shamrocks but instead found his neighborhood decorated with homemade Happy Birthday signs.
Be well,
President Deb
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Birthdays
Jim Anglin
March 20
Rotary Anniversaries
Jesus Torres
March 21
7 years
Brought in by Jim Lowry
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Rotary Family Happy News!
Don't forget to share your happy updates with President Deb so she can share with all of us!
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Your Support Is Needed
Hello Everyone,
Many of you know who Cole Smith is. If you don’t, he is a very special kid who has been volunteering with us over the past few years. He found out about Rotary when he stumbled upon our Cajun and Blues Festival a few years back. He had no idea what it was. He approached Rob Hitchcock and asked if he could volunteer. Rob called me up to the front and asked what we should do. Cole worked at the water and soda booth for over 8 hours because we didn’t have relief. He then showed up at YES and was voted as one of our students awarded to go to RYLA last year. These experiences have truly changed his life.
Cole recently made a big move with his mother to Michigan. Cole is diabetic and has been denied coverage for his CGM (continuous glucose monitor). It costs $450 for 1 month.
While on vacation last week Cole had a diabetic seizure during the night that almost cost him his life. Fortunately, since they were sharing a hotel room, his mother heard him and was able to save his life with not one, but two Glucagon injections (emergency glucose).
The hospital told them that luckily there was no permanent brain damage this time but he needed to keep his levels monitored. The best ways are a CGM, or better, a diabetic alert dog. The cost of a dog can be upwards of $10,000.
Cole's mom has been able to pay for a months supply of medication but is afraid that she can’t afford anymore.
Cole's mother reached out to me to see if our Rotary family could help. We are looking for donations. She made a Gofundme but did not realize they take 8%
If you would like to donate and are able to during these hard times, please make your checks payable to RCSS with "Cole Smith donation" in the memo line, and send to John Tolson.
Helping Our Seniors - Message from Oakmont of Simi Valley - Martha Macker
During this time, our corporate office has asked us to shift our focus from marketing to new residents to finding out ways we can be of service to the seniors in our community. We are a small but mighty bunch over here in our information center. If you know of a need, please let us know how we might get involved. We have already contacted the Senior Center and Senior Concerns. They are responding to immediate needs right now and we are waiting for them to get back to us with ways to help.
Bolio on Hold
This event is now on hold until our bowling allies open again in the future.
RYLA CANCELLED
RYLA has unfortunately been cancelled. A big thank you to Louis Kruglov for all the work he did in getting the students notified.
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New Member Proposal:
Stephen Munday
Ryan Valencia
Steve Munday
Ryan Valencia
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Rotary Club FinderNeed to find a club to do a makeup? Or find out where Rotary clubs meet while you are traveling? Click here to access the Club Finder page on the RI website.
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