We are proud to share that the Rotary Club of Saratoga received West Valley College’s Community Partner Award, honoring partners for their dedication to advancing educational access, student success, and community impact through collaboration and innovation.
New Members
Please join me in welcoming and celebrating our newest members. Supriya Krishnamoorthy was promoted as our newest Blue Badger, and we are delighted to welcome Poonam Goyal as a Dual Member.
Fun Fact for September
Here is a fun September fact to share: September gets its name from the Latin word septem, meaning “seven,” because it was originally the seventh month in the ancient Roman calendar before January and February were added. Today, of course, September is the ninth month—making its name a little historical time capsule.
As we step into September, I want to pause and celebrate a meaningful August filled with connection, service, and Rotary spirit. From inspiring speaker programs to hands-on support for Family Giving Tree and West Valley Community Services, we showed the energy, generosity, and fellowship that make our club so special.
August Speaker Recap
August brought us four engaging speakers with stories and ideas that connected Saratoga’s past, our club’s growth, Rotary’s future, and the power of hope. Linda Hagelin of the Saratoga Historical Foundation opened the month with a fascinating look at Saratoga fellowship on the farmbefore 1900, helping us better understand the people, places, and events that shaped our community. Jeremy Shapiro then shared how he has used his business knowledge and applied it to Rotary, offering practical ways to strengthen and grow membership. District Governor Geeta Kadambi offered a glimpse into her goals for the district and provided practical ideas for attracting and welcoming new members. We closed the month with Eddie Garcia, who shared the deeply emotional and inspiring story of how hope helped carry him through a heart transplant. Together, these speakers reminded us that we grow stronger by learning from our history, embracing new ideas, building connections, and facing challenges with hope.
Fellowship Highlights
Fellowship on the Farm
We also enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship when Shannon McElyea graciously opened her home—her very own “Green Acres”—for members to gather, relax, and connect. It was fun to see everyone leaning into the theme, with plenty of farm attire on display and even a few good-natured city folks joining in the spirit of the evening. Moments like these remind us that fellowship is one of the best parts of Rotary: the chance to laugh together, share stories, and build stronger friendships beyond our regular meetings.
Dinner Club at The Mint Leaf
Thirteen members attended Dinner Club at The Mint Leaf, where we enjoyed a good meal and fellowship. We also met three Rotarians from other clubs and learned about their service projects. Dinner Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at a different restaurant in downtown Saratoga.
As September begins, we look forward to another month of fellowship, service, and fun!
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.
Family Giving Tree: Donations and Volunteering in Action
Our August service efforts included meaningful support for Family Giving Tree and its goal of distributing 35,000 backpacks to local students. Our club contributed 30 volunteer hours and Rotarians donated $5,270 toward the effort. Whether by giving time, organizing materials, or providing financial support, our members helped turn generosity into essential school supplies and a confident start to the academic year for children in our community.
West Valley Community Services: Back-to-School Support
West Valley Community Services helped 204 local TK–12th graders start the school year with new backpacks and clothes. Seven volunteers accompanied children one-on-one as they shopped for back-to-school clothes at Old Navy. It was special for volunteers to spend time with the children and see them pleased with their new clothes. Our club also contributed $2,000 from the President’s Fund for Community Service to support the effort.
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, five volunteers covered two shifts and contributed eight hours of hands‑on service. A small team making a big difference.
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:
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.
We had a wonderful Fellowship evening with a Green Acres theme at Shannon’s home, tucked away in the middle of the woods. Who knew such a charming spot existed right here in Saratoga? With 39 members and guests in attendance, there was plenty of good food, laughter, and fun, and everyone enjoyed a great evening together.
A big thank you to Shannon for her wonderful hospitality and for opening her home to us!
Our next Fellowship will be September 17 at Campo de Bocce—we hope to see everyone there!
Grateful to be Part of the Saratoga Rotary - By Supriya Krishnamoorthy
I'm and grateful to have just received my Blue Badge at Saratoga Rotary.
It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing group of Rotarians who are truly committed to making a difference in our community. From day one, I have been warmly welcomed and inspired by the kindness, dedication and spirit of service that this wonderful group embodies!
I look forward to learning, contributing, and making a positive impact alongside this incredible community of Rotarians. Thank you for making me feel so welcome!
Dual Member - By Poonam Goyal I’m excited to take this next step as a dual member of Passport Silicon Valley and the Saratoga Rotary Club.
Service has always been close to my heart. Through AINAK, I actively work with low-income communities in California and New Jersey, partnering with schools and other nonprofits to provide comprehensive eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to those who may otherwise not have access to vision care. We also bring vision screenings directly to underserved communities, including unhoused individuals, low-income housing communities, schools, and libraries. It is incredibly rewarding to see how something as simple as a pair of glasses can make such a meaningful difference in someone’s life. The first device was donated to AINAK by the Saratoga Rotary Charitable Foundation.
You gaze upon a tree Just some big old tree What do you see? What do you think?
We all view the world through different eyes:
DeAnna may see how it helps our climate Gene may see a wildfire risk Carol may see colors, shapes, shadows and patterns Bruce may see a potential for bird droppings on his car Yan may see a safety hazard from a raised sidewalk Sheeba may see a chance to compose a beautiful photo Mayor Chuck may see the risk of a storm blowing it over Shannon may see her “favorite” politicians face in it Sangita may see a source for spiritual inspiration Jim may see a branch to hang a swing on Marsi may see a source of pipe root damage Debby may see a tree to climb to get a great view Peter may see interesting leaf clusters on the ground Maria may see a photo op for beautiful fall colors Jenny may see something to inspire a story And, Barry may see a source for millions of toothpicks
In the quiet foothills of Saratoga, where redwood lean over winding streets and small shops glow softly at dusk, lived an older man named Mateo. Locals knew him from the farmer's market or the library courtyard, but few knew what he did after the city asleep.
Every night, long after Big Basin Way went silent, Mateo walked the neighborhoods with a small lantern - an old habit from his childhood. He checked on homes where he knew someone lived alone. He refilled birdbaths, left fresh fruit from his garden on porches, and quietly swept leaves from sidewalks so morning walkers wouldn't slip.
No one asked him to do any of it. No one paid him. Most didn't even realize he was the one behind the quiet kindness that made Saratoga feel a little softer.
I visited India this summer along with my mom. She wanted to travel to a city called Palitana. It is in a western state of Gujarat. This city is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for followers of Jainism, an Indian religion that teaches a path toward spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence to all living creatures.
Palitana is renowned for the Shatrunjaya ("place of victory against inner enemies") hill temples, a sprawling complex of over 850+ marble temples considered among the holiest in Jainism. Shatrunjaya peak is approximately 603 meters (1,978 feet) tall. Pilgrims climb a total of 3750 stone steps to reach the destination. The climb spans about 2.2 miles (3.5 kilometers) from the base. The only way to reach at the top of the hills is by foot. No food or any plastic water bottles are allowed (thus, it was a trash free hike).
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.
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:
Grateful to be Part of the Saratoga Rotary - By Supriya Krishnamoorthy
In the quiet foothills of Saratoga, where redwood lean over winding streets and small shops glow softly at dusk, lived an older man named Mateo. Locals knew him from the farmer's market or the library courtyard, but few knew what he did after the city asleep.
I visited India this summer along with my mom. She wanted to travel to a city called Palitana. It is in a western state of Gujarat. This city is one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for followers of Jainism, an Indian religion that teaches a path toward spiritual purity and enlightenment through disciplined nonviolence to all living creatures.