Are you curious about the Rotary Club of Alameda [1]? You’re invited to enjoy delicious pasta and salad from Pizzeria Pappo [2] while you learn more at the free Discover Rotary Luncheon on Tuesday, July 29, 12:15 p.m., at Trinity Lutheran Church Meeting Hall, 1409 Morton Street. (Enter through the tree-shaped gate and turn right into the meeting hall.)
[3]Rotary has 1.2 million members across 200 countries, living by the motto “Service Above Self” and giving back to their local communities and the world. Anyone with an interest in service is welcome to join.
In Alameda, Rotary Club members do all kinds of volunteer work, from planting trees in parks [5] and sorting food for the Alameda Food Bank to helping out at the Alameda Point Collaborative holiday dinner, collecting jewelry for the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS) and eradicating polio around the world.
Rotary also holds fundraisers such as an annual lobster dinner [6] and dine-and-donate events at Alameda restaurants to distribute significant donations to Alameda nonprofits that do great work in our community.
Rotary supports several Alameda youth programs, such as high school Interact Clubs, Boy Scout Troop 11, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, graduating high school seniors scholarships, and the Alameda speech contest.
At the Discover Rotary Luncheon, members will tell their stories about why they joined Rotary and the many benefits they’ve received from their membership, including:
- Volunteering to make a positive impact in the Alameda community and the world.
- Expanding their network with local professionals and leaders.
- Building friendships that last a lifetime.
- Having fun while making a difference.
- Enjoying leadership opportunities.
- Participating in luncheon meetings with interesting speakers from the community.
- Getting more connected with the Alameda community.
- Joining monthly social gatherings.
The luncheon is free, but please RSVP via email to [email protected] [7] so the organizers can be sure to order the proper amount of food from Pizzeria Pappo.
Joyce Mercado is an author and member of Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA), as well as the Rotary Club’s president. Her columns are collected at alamedapost.com/Joyce-Mercado [8]. She can be reached at [email protected] [7].