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It is time for our annual Back-to-School backpack drive for Family Giving Tree.
The gift of a supply-filled backpack assures that children from families struggling financially in our community begin school with the tools necessary to engage in their learning, do their homework, and succeed. Please visit the Family Giving Tree website to learn more about their work- Home
 
This year we are having a virtual drive. Family Giving Tree buys in bulk, so our dollars go twice as far. There are many options from single complete backpacks to proving backpacks to a whole classroom and anywhere in between! Please click here to donate: backpacksmiles.org/saratogarotary.
On June 12th at 6 pm Maria Guldner organized a 100th Birthday celebration for Marilyn White at "The Villas of Saratoga".  Few Rotarians along with the White family joined the celebrations. White family appreciated this sweet gesture from Saratoga Rotarians.
 
Dear Rotarians,
 
On behalf of the family of Marilyn White, please accept this donation of $500  to SRCF. Your participation in her 100th Birthday party was so appreciated. Seeing photos of so many of you holding onto her hands brought tears to our eyes. The speeches and memories shared were so special. A special thanks to Maria Guldner for organizing it.
 
You are a tremendous asset to Saratoga and have been for almost 70 years. Looking at your current web site, it is truly amazing at the number of projects you are involved in. Your impact locally and around the world is fantastic.
 
Sincerely, Gayle White Simpson
For the entire Marily White family 
In Mike Nichols’ Oscar-winning 1967 film The Graduate, young Benjamin Braddock was given this word of advice regarding his business future: “Plastics!”.
 
Now, nearly sixty years later, that advice has come back to haunt us all. The world is now awash in plastic waste. Microplastic particles pollute our food, our water, even our blood. And the problem is getting worse. Plastic production is expected to triple by 2060, according to the Global Plastics Outlook Database.
 
While we may feel we’re doing our part by putting plastics in our recycling bins, the sad truth is that only a small portion of that ever gets recycled. While worldwide action is needed to mitigate the crisis, Saratoga Rotarians Nancy Shih and Phil Young decided to act locally.
 
 
The Rotary Foundation and the Power of Giving Back
By Sangita Seshadri
 
In the world of philanthropy, few organizations allow donations to come full-circle, returning in ways that benefit the very people who contribute. One notable exception is The Rotary Foundation (TRF), a global powerhouse of goodwill and service.
 
Hi, Saratoga Rotarians,
 
I'm Reiko Iwanaga's daughter, Ashley, and we wanted to write to you with some exciting news! 
 
It was just announced that our mother, Reiko, is one of seven recipients of the 2025 National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowships for her contributions and dedication to the art form of Bon Odori. According to their website this is “the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.
 
The program recognizes recipients’ artistic excellence, lifetime achievement, and contributions to our nation’s traditional arts heritage.”  We heard she was selected a couple of weeks ago and have been waiting to share the official news! I’m attaching the link that you can click through to see her page. We are so proud of her and had to share the news!
 
 

Thank you for your support of our mother!
Maya, Ryan, Courtney & Ashley
 
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International Service Projects
  • Kenya and India 2020-2021
    • Deliver easy access to potable water for the villages of Kaikol and Nkudet in Turkana County, Kenya. It will serve a total population of approx. 5000
    • Provide four ventilators to a COVID hospital in Bangalore, India.
  • USA 2020-2021
    • Refrigerated truck for Martha’s Kitchen
    • Sensorimotor room for children with special needs at Franklin-McKinley School 
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 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
  • Super Bowl Chili and Corn Bread Cook Off
  • Fun at Bocce Ball Court
  • Halloween Spirit
  • Christmas Party
  • Annual Dessert Bake Off

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
Shea Harden
Jul 25, 2025
Beyond Success: Securing Your Legacy and Preparing for Life's Uncertainties
Bill Palmer
Aug 01, 2025
The Clubfoot Crisis: Simple Cure, Global Neglect
Sheila Tucker
Aug 08, 2025
What's New at the West Valley Stormwater Authority
Past Speakers
Gita Gopal, President and Co-founder
Jul 18, 2025
A Future for Every Child
Brian Adams
Jul 11, 2025
Stories from 30 Years in the Radio, TV & Film Industry
Dark
Jul 04, 2025
Upcoming Events