Service Above Self

What Freedom Rotary Does

SERVICE ABOVE SELF is the main philosophy that guides Rotarian and conveys the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members.

Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self is channeled through the Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of our club activities.

The Salvation Army together with the Rotary Club stocked 300 backpacks with all of the schools supplies kids need for their first day back.

Link to: Salvation Army donates backpacks, school supplies to Watsonville students

Link to: KSBW Salvation Army hands out stock backpacks

The five Rotary Avenues of Service:

1. Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of our club.

Rose Wood opens her present at our Christmas Party

Club Members busy selling fireworks

District Governor Richard Flanders was the winner of our weekly raffle prize.

2. Community Service covers the projects and activities our club undertakes to improve the quality of life in this community

  • In 1999 we assembled a gazebo at the Agricultural History Project that has been well-used for educational projects and 2nd Saturday events as well as during the annual Santa Cruz County Fair. After 22 years, it was in need of refurbishing.Β  In July 2021 we spent a day cleaning the gazebo and will complete this portion of the project in 2021.Β  The gazebo is scheduled to be moved to a new location in the expansion of the Ag History Project as which time a new roof will complete the renovation.

 

Freedom Rotary maintains Chamber signage on Main and Riverside Streets

Club members and guests enjoy Freedom Rotary Open House at 2022 Pajaro Valley Arts Council

Gloria, Bob and Brian with Maria Rodriquez, Loaves & Fishes

Freedom Rotary entered a lit Rotary Wheel in the Community Displays of Holiday Lights at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

  • This year Freedom Rotarians we are planning to become Wrap Stars.Β  That’s right!Β  In August we’ll wrap trees at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds for the annual September Fair, and those lights will be used again for the Holiday Lights adventure this Holiday Season.
  • During Holiday Lights Club Members wereΒ hosts during the two nights of the Holiday Lights Walk-thru activities.

Community Grants

  • As part of our commitment to support our local not-for-profit community, Freedom Rotary Club created a grants program through which our local community receives our support. Our criteria is modified often so we can continually support the variety of needs in our community.

2020 Endowments

  • In 2020 the Freedom Rotary Foundation invested $258,000 at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, presenting each of four local not-for-profit organization with an endowment of $64,500.

Loaves & Fishes $64,500

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services $64,500

Jacob’s Heart – $64,500

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation $64,500

3. Vocational Service calls on us as Rotarians to work with integrity and contribute our expertise to the problems and needs of society, local and throughout the world.

4. International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.

Club Member manages the new school for Chajul.

5. Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange.
Brian Lockwood receives Paul Harris Award from Orrin Mahoney of Rotary District 5170Β 

Scholarships

Liszette Gonzalez, Freedom Rotary’s current Hal Hyde Scholarship Winner, will soon be a Dentist.

Freedom Rotary Club has two scholarship programs:

  • Hal Hyde Scholarship Program honoring the educational endeavors of local leader, Hal Hyde, whose belief in higher education led him to spearhead the establishment of Cabrillo College.Β  The winning applicant receives annual support during four years of college.
  • One-time individual scholarships are presented to local high school graduates who are planning to attend college.Β  Realizing that leadership skills are more than excellent grades, we focus

Annual Spring Trip to Yosemite

Freedom Rotary has been very actively involved in planning and coordinating a trip to Yosemite for Rotary International Exchange Students who come to this area.Β  We camp, we hike, we eat, sometimes we sleep and we always have FUN!