Spotlight on Community Service
Posted by Nancy Shih

West Valley Community Services: Park-It-Market

Our club continues its partnership with West Valley Community Services through the Park-It Market — their mobile food pantry that brings fresh groceries and support services directly to seniors at Fellowship Plaza. This month, six volunteers, including 2 first timers, covered three shifts and contributed nine hours of handson service.

To help keep this meaningful partnership going, please consider volunteering for a future shift: Fellowship Plaza Sign Up - Google Sheets 

Operation Care & Comfort

Did you know that Rotary Club of Saratoga has supported this project since 2013?

On October 23, at the club meeting, we will pack holiday-themed goodies for 200 of our active military personnel. The team from OCC will give a short presentation about their work and the impact of this project.

Warm Coat Drive

Autumn is here! Warm Coat Drive is coming! Get ready to bring some new or gently used clothes to those in need to warm their bodies and their hearts. See details in the flyer.

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Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation - Spotlight on Grant
Posted by Russ Hansen
We are pleased to report that the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation Board of Directors approved four grants in August totaling $36,500 to fund the following worthy projects:
 
1. Clean Slate Tattoo Removal Program of Valley Health Foundation.  Our grant of $20,000 will purchase 100 “Success Kits” for youth and young adults who undergo laser tattoo removal procedures. Kits include essential aftercare supplies that help participants heal and support their health, safety, and long-term success after laser tattoo removal procedures. Tattoo removal is life-changing for young people (including victims of human trafficking) who have found tattoos to pose a risk to their safety and to be a barrier to furthering their education and employment. Valley Health Foundation’s (VHF) mission is to mobilize philanthropy and partnerships to strengthen and advocate for the County Health System, enhancing the impact of care across our community.
 
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Making a Life by What We Give: The Rotary Foundation at Work
Posted by David Eshleman
As Winston Churchill once said, "We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." That spirit of selfless giving lies at the heart of The Rotary Foundation (TRF), Rotary International's 501(c)(3) charitable arm, and one of the most trusted philanthropic organizations in the world.
 
TRF has earned Charity Navigator's highest Four-Star rating for 17 consecutive years, with nearly 90 cents of every dollar going directly to programs. Annual independent audits, strict grant oversight, and management by volunteer Rotarians ensure that every contribution is put to meaningful use.
 
Foundation funds support programs across seven areas of focus: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. Through project grants and the ongoing fight to eradicate polio, TRF-supported humanitarian projects are active in more than 12 countries around the globe.
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In Memoriam

By Rosane Kapur

Charles Jack Hickling, August 2,1946-July 15, 2026         

On the morning of July 15, Charles, Jack Hickling left this earth.

A remarkable human being, Jack brought kindness, wisdom, and generosity into the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. His friendship, his gentle humor, and his genuine interest in others created lasting bonds that will continue to live on in our hearts.

Beyond his many contributions to Rotary and his community, Jack carried a deep appreciation for the beauty of life, including his love of classical music, which reflected his thoughtful and graceful spirit. 

During his years managing the Saratoga Inn, he delighted others with wonderful stories of the celebrities who had stayed there, bringing history and personal connection to every conversation. He enriched every gathering with his warmth, humor, and remarkable ability to make people feel welcome, leaving behind memories filled with laughter, friendship, and joy.

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International Services 
International Service Projects

  •  Acquisition of ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG )-NCV Machine for PHILIPPINE GENERAL HOSPITAL ( PGH ) 

    Project cost $70, 539  RC Saratoga contributed $3000 DDF

  •  Preventing Trafficking in Vietnam - Changing Their Stories

    Project cost: $ 90,600 This grant has been transferred to our club from RC of Madison, Wisconsin along with $32500 in cash. The funds have not yet been transferred yet. The project is in collaboration with a non-profit organization called Pacific links and RC Saigon International. Club contribution: ~6000 DDF

  • Romania Hospital Project: This project is led by RC Reno, Nevada. The Community Needs Assessment showed that the greatest need of the community was to improve the quality of medical care in the area. To address this need we will provide 6 GE Carescape (All in One) Monitors and 1 GE R860 ventilators to the Stei Municipal Hospital. These are brand new state of the art pieces of equipment. This project will be in collaboration with Assist International based in Scotts Valley, CA.

    RC Reno contributed $10,000 towards our Global Grant project to support procurement of an MEC for Ukraine. 

    Club contributed 3000DDF. 

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Community Service
West Valley Community Service Projects
  • Mobile Pantry/ Park-It Market at Saratoga Fellowship Plaza
    • On the 1st, 3rd & 5th Wednesday of the Month from 10:15 to 11:45 AM
 
Operation Care and Comfort Projects
  • Packing supplies for troops in October for the holiday season
 
Youth Service
Youth Service Events
  • Mentoring Interact Club of local high schools 
  • Enterprise Leadership Conference (ELC) for high school students
  • Scholarships for elementary, middle, high school and Community college students 
  • Speech Contest for the high school students
  • Rotary Youth Exchange Programs
                                                Read more .......
Fellowship Events
Fellowship Events
  • St Patrick's Day Baked Potatoes & Fixins
  • Fun at Bocce Ball Court
  • Halloween Spirit
  • Christmas Party
  • Lunar New Year Dinner

Dates to Remember

Donate

Doing Good Together

1) TRF (The Rotary Foundation): Show your generosity and dedication to Service Above Self. Your dollars impact globally

2) SRCF (Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation) : Your dollars impact locally.

 

 

Volunteer

1st, 3rd and 5th Wednesday (10:15 to 11:45 AM)  - Food Distribution to Seniors with West Valley Community Services.
 
Please click on this link for more information
Saratoga Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Fridays at 12:30 PM
Saratoga Community Center
19655 Allendale Ave.
Saratoga, CA 95070
United States
Socialize from noon to 12:30pm. Zoom available by request.
Upcoming Speakers
Henry Evans & Nick Tayler
Oct 16, 2026
The Intersection of Robotics, AI & Country Music
The Intersection of Robotics, AI & Country Music
Club Community Service Project
Oct 23, 2026
Operation Care & Comfort
Gary Laine, DDS
Oct 30, 2026
Interviews with WWII Veterans
Past Speakers
Terrie Creamer, Saratoga Rotary President
Oct 02, 2026
Saratoga Rotary Club Assembly
Chuck Page, Mayor of Saratoga
Sep 25, 2026
Ramifications of the County Sheriff Funding Model
Heath Rocha, Superintendent - LGSHSD
Sep 18, 2026
Latest Updates & Initiatives at the Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District
View entire list...

October 2026

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President's Message

Service, Fellowship, and Rotary Impact

September was filled with service, fellowship, and Rotary impact — from inspiring speaker programs and SRCF grant recipient updates to fellowship at Bocce di Campo and the Rotary Collaboration Impact Summit.

October Moonlight Fun Fact

The Harvest Moon gets its name from the bright full moon that once helped farmers keep gathering crops after sunset. In Chinese tradition, the autumn moon is also tied to the legend of Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. According to the story, Chang’e rose to the Moon after drinking an elixir of immortality, and her legend is celebrated during the Mid-Autumn Festival. Families gather under the full moon to share mooncakes and give thanks for the harvest.
 

September Speaker Recap

September brought meaningful speaker programs that connected leadership, student success, and important decisions facing our community. Hugh Coppen shared how elephant herds are guided by experienced matriarchs who lead with wisdom, protect the young, and keep the herd moving together. Their cooperation is so strong that even what they leave behind carries seeds that grow new vegetation — a reminder that true leadership creates impact long after the moment has passed.
 
Hugh connected these natural patterns to Rotary: when we work together, support one another, and lead with purpose, we leave lasting good in our community.
 
Rotarian Heath Rocha, Superintendent of Los Gatos-Saratoga Unified School District, spotlighted student success, student health, and details about the November school bond for facilities.
 
Rotarian Mayor Chuck Page shared updates on Saratoga’s future policing contract, including how rising public safety costs are affecting the city’s decision between continuing its nearly 70-year relationship with the County Sheriff’s Office or contracting with the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department.
 
We also heard from several SRCF grant recipients: NAMI, Justice At Last, and Samuel Leale from SASCC. NAMI shared how our support helps their youth program in local schools, providing resources and awareness around mental health for students.
Justice At Last provides free legal services, advocacy, and support for survivors of human trafficking, helping them secure safety, stability, and long-term justice.
Samuel Leale from SASCC also shared plans for facility upgrades to the Senior Center, highlighting improvements that will help better serve older adults in our community.

Fellowship Highlights

Fellowship at Bocce di Campo

We also enjoyed a fun time of fellowship at Bocce di Campo, with good food, great company, and plenty of bocce ball. It was a wonderful opportunity to relax, laugh, and connect with fellow Rotarians outside of our regular meetings.

Rotary Collaboration Impact Summit 2026

Rotary District 5170’s Rotary Collaboration Impact Summit 2026 was held on Saturday, September 19, at the San Jose Convention Center. The event offered a chance to hear inspiring speakers, visit tables from clubs to learn about their community and international projects, and connect with nonprofit organizations supported by Rotary clubs.
 
The summit created meaningful opportunities for clubs and nonprofit partners to connect, share ideas, and explore ways to work together on projects that strengthen Rotary’s impact in our district and internationally.
 
A special highlight was seeing so many Interactors from schools across the district step up as Summit helpers, adding youthful energy and enthusiasm to the day.
As October begins, we look forward to another month of fellowship, service, and fun!
Upcoming Events
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