Saratoga Rotary Club: Recent Activities and Upcoming Events
Greetings fellow Rotarians. As the weather transitions into, hopefully spring, we reflect on an eventful April, marked by numerous successes and initiatives undertaken by the Saratoga Rotary Club.
April Recap
April was indeed a successful month for the Saratoga Rotary Club. Los Altos Rotary offered an insightful presentation on recycling plastics. Notably, our own Nancy Shih and Phil Young are managing the Saratoga Rotary campaign, showcasing their dedication and leadership.
Jennifer Sarmanto from the Kyle J. Taylor Foundation delivered an educational and surprising program addressing Sudden Cardiac Arrest in younger people. This poignant session highlighted the tragic loss of her son, who had recently graduated from high school.
The Membership Committee introduced exciting ideas about affinity groups, allowing Rotarians to connect and share their similar interests more effectively.
Additionally, Sonal led our club in packing approximately 200 personal hygiene kits in collaboration with City Team, further demonstrating our commitment to community service.
Upcoming Events
As we step into May, there are several notable events to look forward to:
Annual Saratoga Rotary Art Show: This eagerly anticipated event will kick off the month, featuring presentations on educating high school girls in Morocco as well as a speaker from The Innocence Project.
At the end of May, we will be privileged to hear from the Ambassadors of Compassion. I have heard them twice at various Rotary events. Their impactful work with students and their compelling message has resonated at previous Rotary events.
Area 11 Social: Right on the heels of the Art Show, we will gather for the Area 11 Social, where Rotary clubs from Los Gatos, Los Gatos Morning, Campbell, and Saratoga will meet for refreshments at The Terraces in Los Gatos. This inaugural multi-club event promises to be the first of many such gatherings.
As the weather warms, let's embrace the opportunity to engage and enjoy these enriching experiences.
Editor's note: Saratoga Rotarian Terrance Hunter is the founder of "Empowering the Fatherless", a non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk fatherless youths. Here is an update on some of his recent activities:
Fellow Rotarians,
Good morning.. I hope all of you are well in every regard. I would like to take this opportunity to share an update regarding ETF activities.
Last year, my Pastor introduced me to a 20-year-old man who was attending New Hope Community Church in Gilroy. He was introduced to me due to his involvement with the criminal justice system, having committed six armed robberies with a firearm.
Editor's note: Here is my mother Pat on her 100th birthday. She's healthy, mentally sharp, and lives independently in Palo Alto. Some years ago, I called her a "tough old bird" because she refused to succumb to the customary afflictions of age. She liked the moniker, and uses it often. Just for fun, I will share with you the poem I wrote and read to her at her birthday party:
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!
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.
Membership Committee has been discussing different ways to expand members' engagements. The conclusion is that the more activities members have with each other, the more engaged they are with the Club.
In addition to the monthly Fellowship events and multiple Service activities, members have opportunities to connect with each other with affinity group activities. Below is a list of existing and new groups that may fit your interests.
Book Club - contact Verna Wong West Valley College Campus Cruisers (walking group, every Tuesday & Thursday 8:20am) - contact Barry Bronson Friday Bocci Ball at the Community Center, immediately after Club meeting - contact Barry Bronson Theater (attend plays, musicals, etc.) - watch for emails and announcements History & Culture (visit local museums, gallery, culture centers, etc.) - watch for emails and announcements Career connection lunch/dinner - contact Jenny Wong Other ideas? Would like to lead a group visit/activity? contact Cynthia Chang or Nancy Shih.
Once again, Read Across America Day was a great success! Our Rotary Club has been visiting Latimer School since 2015. Latimer is a Title 1 school in the Moreland District which serves grades transitional kindergarten through eighth.
Music—it's more than just sound. It’s a force that moves us, lifts us, and carries us through every moment of life. It’s there when we need it most, whispering in our ears, reminding us “don’t stop believin’” even when the road is tough.
Think about it. When you're feeling down, music tells you, “shake it off” and keep going. When you need strength, it reminds you that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” And when you’re celebrating, music shouts, “I’ve got a feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a good night!”
Music is our history, our future, and our constant companion. It teaches us that “we are the champions” of our own stories, that love is always worth fighting for because “all you need is love,” and that no matter what happens, we can stand up and say, “I’m still standing.”
It unites us. In a world where we sometimes feel divided, music proves that “we’re all in this together.” It connects hearts, speaks every language, and reminds us that “we will rock you”—not alone, but together.
So whether you dance like nobody’s watching, sing at the top of your lungs, or simply let the melody carry you, remember: music isn’t just something we hear—it’s something we feel.
And as the great Freddie Mercury once said, “don’t stop me now,” because with music in our hearts, there’s no stopping any of us.
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