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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.
 
Rotary Club of Saratoga: Fighting Hunger with Rise Against Hunger
 
For over five years, the Rotary Club of Saratoga has been actively engaged in combating hunger through a hands-on community service project in partnership with Rise Against Hunger. This initiative brings together club members, families, and community volunteers to pack nutritious meals that are distributed to those in need around the world.

Annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show 
A Community Event and Fundraiser

First Weekend in May, 2025 
Saturday and Sunday, May 3rd & 4th, 2025
10AM to 5PM

http://saratogarotaryartshow.org

You're Invited to the 66th Annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show with Wine and Beer Tasting!
Spend Saturday and/or Sunday on the beautiful grounds of West Valley Community College in Saratoga.  Fine Artists and Craftsmen from around the country showcase their works in a show. You'll find something for everyone with our wide variety of fine art: paintings, sculptures, ceramics, jewelry, photography, glassworks, woodworks and mixed media.
 
Bring the family, enjoy the activities at the Kids corner, also enjoy wine and beer tasting from superb local wineries, a large selection of food and entertainment for all ages. Admission, parking and Kids Corner are free.
 
Whether you are an artist, an art lover, or just want a nice way to spend a the weekend, we look forward to seeing you!  Best of all, you will be contributing to the local community. All net proceeds benefit the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation (SRCF). SRCF  has returned over $2.5 million to local non-profit organizations through its grant program and supports our Rotary Club’s community and youth services programs.
 
We are pleased to share with you that so far this year SRCF has granted a total of $38,043 for grants. The 501 (C) 3 recipients are well vetted by our board, they are diverse and are impactful. There is one more cycle this fiscal year and grant requests are due May 1.
The grants awarded are as follows:
  • Assistance League of Los Gatos Saratoga
    • Scholarships for students to attend science camp which is a 5th/6th grade requirement.
  • Bill Wilson Center
    • Purchase of furniture in their new location
  • Onmiware Networks
    • Physical and mental services to local are seniors.
  • RAFT- Resource Area For Teachers
    • Circuit Venture Machines to be used by educators to enhance classroom learning.
  • Santa Clara County Library District Foundation
    • Books for families affected by incarceration.
  • Saratoga MSET Inc. – Mechanical Science and Engineering Team
    • Purchase of items to build 5 robotic vehicles for the club at Saratoga High School, promoting invention and team problem solving.
  • South Bay Musical Theatre
    • Sound mixer used at their performances.
  • Starting Arts
    • Digital Sound Boards used in their performances.
  • Walden West
    • Bird Blind to be used at Science Camp (5th and 6th grade curriculum) and summer camp.
 
And here is a Thank You note from Starting Arts:
 
"Dear Saratoga Rotary Foundation - 
Thank you so much for your generosity and support of our school programs, and the purchase of our light board.  A few of us wanted to express our thanks in this video!
 
A special thank you to Phil for joining us , touring our site and meeting our staff. That was truly special. 
 
Best,
Sara
 
Sara K. Dean
Managing Director, Theatre 
Pronouns: she/ they
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 2nd, 4th & 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

2nd, 4th 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 of America
Socialize from noon to 12:30pm. Zoom available by request.
First Weekend of May 2025
Upcoming Speakers
Maddy Kangas
Feb 21, 2025 1:00 PM
Xerces Society - Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Xerces Society - Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Claire Day, Alzheimer's Assn of No. CA
Feb 28, 2025 1:00 PM
Advancing the Science: The Latest in Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Research
Matt Morley, Saratoga City Manager
Mar 28, 2025 1:00 PM
City of Saratoga's Vision & Future Planning :)
Past Speakers
Peter Teahen & John Ockenfells
Feb 07, 2025 1:00 PM
Around the World: Flight to End Polio
WVC Professors Nichola Gutierrez & Janis Kea
Jan 31, 2025
West Valley College Democracy Institute
Mona Hrapkowicz, our very own Rotarian! :)
Jan 24, 2025
An introduction to AI and its impact on our daily lives
Upcoming Events