Stories

The Laguna Niguel Rotary Club has completed its annual Dictionary Project for 3rd Graders. Every 3rd grade student in Laguna Niguel elementary schools--and select schools in Dana Point and Aliso Viejo--received a free dictionary from the Rotary Club. This project recognizes the fact that 3rd grade is a critical stage in a child's academic development. "From kindergarten through second grade, kids learn to read," says Dr. Bill Nguyen DDS, a Past Rotary Club president who spearheads the project. "But from third grade on, children read to learn." As a child immigrating from Vietnam, as directed by his father, Dr. Nguyen learned to speak English by reading the dictionary and memorizing 50 words a day. Dr. Nguyen shares this story with students each school the Club visits and the impact of this long term program has been validated again and again. "We've had several students approach us in the high school and college years to share their gratitude and tell us that they still have the dictionaries they received from the Laguna Niguel Rotary Club in third grade. It's a very rewarding to hear that," said Nguyen.    

Join us for an Oktoberfest celebration and fundraiser! Saturday October 22 from 5-9pm. Get more information and buy tickets at http://lnrotaryevent.com

 

At our latest meeting, Laguna Niguel Rotary Club's special guest, Tatiana Shabelnik, spoke of her life-long friend, a Ukrainian woman and her young son that fled to Poland and were in need of financial support and a place to stay. Our generous Rotarians immediately pledged to provide financial assistance individually for this family in need of our help. Tatiana has also been in contact with Rotary Clubs in Poland and was very grateful for our donations. 

 

In response to the deepening refugee crisis, the Rotary Foundation Trustees have decided to prioritize contributions made to the Disaster Response Fund until April 30, 2022, to support disaster response grants for districts affected by these events. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to supply water, food, medicine, shelter, and clothing. This is primarily an appeal for individual donations so please feel free to give any amount possible. Please follow this link if you would like to make a personal donation for this worthy cause.

Our Laguna Niguel Rotary Club joined in with twenty Laguna Niguel Chamber-member businesses and non-profits united to create a special, and safe, Halloween for kids at a "Trunk or Treat" event in the YMCA parking lot. Each group parked their cars, and opened their trunks, while 20 families per hour went “trunk to trunk” to pick up treats. Giveaways included 16,000 pieces of candy, treats, and promotional items. 

Rotarians Madam President Kim Douglas, Stewart Mims, Esq (vice president), Taje Gill (Scholarship Committee member), and Bill Nguyen (Scholarship Committee chair) provided 14 scholarships to Aliso Niguel High School and Dana Hills High School seniors who embody the Rotary ideals of academic excellence and community service. Congratulations, scholars!

 

How can you get involved?  Become a Member!

 

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from over 200 countries and geographical areas. Join us and help make the world a better place!

For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.

 

After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.

What is it like taking a large team to Africa?  It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.

A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.