"RYLA was one of the most unforgettable weekends of the year. I learned so many new things about myself and how to be a leader during that weekend. I made new friends and made memories to last a lifetime. We worked on problem solving and team building with through obstacle courses and games. These are skills that can help us greatly in the real world. 

 

As of right now, I am so excited to be returning to RYLA as a senior facilitator. We have only had one meeting but the group has already bonded in so many ways. I can already tell that the Rotarians chose a group of responsible and dedicated kids. RYLA is a community, and I look forward to the leadership we can provide this year. I’m already counting down the days until this year’s RYLA!"

 

Lydia (attended RYLA 2018)

 

District 7930 RYLA 2019 will be the weekend of May 10-12.  For information about how your club can support high school students in your community, visit the District RYLA page or contact RYLA Chair Christina Harris. 

I had the pleasure of attending the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena this past New Year’s Day. Seeing these floats up close was on my bucket list. I was enthralled with all of the floats....but then came the “crocodile”! Rotary International created a float “Service Rocks” paying homage to Sir Elton John with his legendary hit "Crocodile Rock!!!” A total of 24,400 flowers covered the float. The Crocodile was 21 ft. tall, playing a rock-and-roll beat as his number one fan, a swamp snake, slithered and danced to the music. The crocodile even had heart-shaped glasses made from cranberries like Elton John’s signature glasses. The singer also inspired the classic keyboard top hat with stylish feathers. This was Rotary’s 40th consecutive float n the Rose Parade. The commentators talked about how Rotary “is known for service, literacy and peace.” “Service Rocks” encompassed Rotary’s love for community service and celebrated the Rose Parade theme: “The Melody of Life.” What a great experience I had! I’m so glad to be a Rotarian!

At its annual holiday party, Marblehead Rotary Club members were generous in their support of the Marblehead Fire Department’s annual toy drive. Armed with packages both large and small, Rotarians continued to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to better our extended community. Marblehead Rotary Club President, Alexander Falk and Marblehead Rotary Club Past-President, David Deutsch delivered this truckload of gifts to the Chief of the Marblehead Fire Department, Jason R. Gilliland. Gilliland expressed appreciation for the Clubs’ support of the department’s efforts.

Read the full article in the Daily News of Newburyport here.

 

The Wakefield Rotary Club recently donated $400 to support California fire relief efforts. The funds were collected during their holiday meeting in December from members, guests, friends and family in attendance. Funds were sent to the Rotary District 5130 (California) Fire Relief Fund. The mission of the Rotary 5130 Fire Relief Fund is to provide help in the most efficient and effective way to those devastated by the wildfires in Lake County and neighboring Sonoma, Napa and Mendocino Counties.

 

To learn more, please visit https://www.larca5130.org/