[UPDATE] Humanitarian Supplies for Ukrainian Refugees

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As of today’s April 13, 2022, Encinitas Rotary Club Meeting the grand total raised for the refugee crisis in Ukraine is now up to $40,000. The Encinitas Rotary Club initially raised the first $17,000 on March 16th in less than an hour following an heartwarming presentation by Encinitas Rotarian Daphne Fletcher which sparked an impromptu fundraiser.
As of today’s April 13, 2022, Encinitas Rotary Club Meeting the grand total raised for the refugee crisis in Ukraine is now up to $40,000. The Encinitas Rotary Club initially raised the first $17,000 on March 16th in less than an hour following an heartwarming presentation by Encinitas Rotarian Daphne Fletcher which sparked an impromptu fundraiser. Word of the story spread after it was covered by the San Diego Union Tribune. Checks have continued to pour in, some as high as $5000, to the Encinitas Rotary Foundation which continues to accept tax deductible donations which will be forwarded to the relief effort in Ukraine. Donors will receive a receipt should a check be mailed to Encinitas Rotary Foundation PO BOX 230223 Encinitas, CA 92023.
The first wire of $22,000 (or nearly 20,000 Euro) was sent March 18th to the Kosice, Slovakia Rotary Club which purchased first relief supplies of food, baby food and hygiene products. The Encinitas Rotary Club coordinated with the Slovakian Rotary Club to purchase the supplies since they had already established logistics and distribution channels. Over the last two weeks the supplies have been purchased, received and are being shipped across the border into Ukraine and are being received by the Uzhorod, Ukraine Rotary Club to be redistributed to refugees in the region as far as Kyiv.
Photos attached of the supplies the Encinitas Rotary Club purchased that were distributed by the Kosice Slovakia Rotary Club and shipped across the border to refugees in Ukraine.

Below: Humanitarian Supplies arrive from fellow Rotary Clubs in Europe

Encinitas is Honoring Citizens for Making a Difference in our Community

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The City of Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission in partnership with the Encinitas Rotary Club is pleased to announce the award recipients for the 2019 Senior Citizen of the Year Award.  This awards program is designed to identify and celebrate people who have selflessly contributed to the City of Encinitas as a senior citizen role model.
Lynne Calkins and Gregory Butler have been selected for the Senior Citizen of the Year Award as co-award recipients.
Lynne’s commitment to the community is impressive. She served as Coordinator of the Interfaith Shelter for the past fifteen years.  As a registered nurse she donated her time to give flu vaccinations to her congregation.  She started a caregiver support group and runs a “care team” at her church.  She makes sure that members who are homebound are visited by other church members and looked after.  The care team offers support, personal visits, and meals to homebound seniors. Lynne coordinated educational tutoring for refugee children.  She organized numerous Death Café events, provides resource information on end of life choices and death with dignity movement via her non-profit organization. Lynne organizes an annual collection of clothing for the poor in Fiji and has participated in several missions to third world countries offering extensive medical knowledge and care to those in need. Finally, she organizes blood drives at the San Dieguito Tennis Club.  Lynne volunteers her time, kindness, and amazing wealth of knowledge throughout the year.
Gregory Butler is very active as a volunteer with his church.  He has been providing transportation to senior citizens as a volunteer driver for over twelve years.  In addition to driving he volunteers to do home repairs and run errands for seniors. He is known as a handyman, carpenter and electrician and puts his skills to good use. He repaired stairs and installed a temporary ramp so that wheelchair bound parishioners could attend mass. For over thirty years, Gregory has spent countless hours coordinating quarterly Blood Bank Drives and serves as a liaison between the Blood Bank and the church. He has been the Chairperson of the “Tootsie Roll Drive” which provides funds for the mentally disabled and continues annually to have an active role as treasurer and coach.  He has been Chairperson of numerous events held by St John’s Catholic Church including the Fiesta Christmas Tree Sale and other activities that benefit the community.  Gregory is an unsung hero whose goal in life is to be a model citizen and lead by example.
Congratulations to both of our award recipients who displayed dedication, overarching commitment, and demonstrated impact of those served. Lynne and Gregory will be honored at an Encinitas City Council video conference meeting on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 6:00pm.  They will each receive a personal award, and have their name listed on a perpetual plaque housed at the Encinitas Senior Center.  Additionally, they will be recognized at the Encinitas Rotary video conference meeting on Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00pm.

For more information regarding these awards, please contact Christie Goodsell, City of Encinitas Recreation Center Manager at 760-943-2251.

2020 Peacemaker of the Year

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Encinitas Rotary Peacemaker Award: Peacemaking Comes in Many Forms

Congratulations Roger Alsabrook!

Left, Jon Krassny, Encinitas Rotary Club President.  Center, Roger Alsabrook, right Johanna Deleissegues, member of Encinitas Rotary who nominated Roger for the 2020 Peacemaker Award.
Mental health issues are tricky.  Most of us don’t want to admit if we have a problem. It takes a true peacemaker to not only publicly acknowledge their condition but to move beyond their own personal struggles to help others with mental health problems, promote tolerance, and bring peace with alienated friends and family. The Encinitas Rotary Club 2020 Peacemaker Award recognizes Roger Alsabrook as just that person.
In 2000, after losing friends and alienating family members, Roger was diagnosed with manic depressive disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, and was prescribed medication. Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression).  After moving to Del Mar in 2005, Roger sought group therapy treatment and discovered the San Diego Chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). He started attending the weekly DBSA peer led support group meetings. Five years ago, Roger recognized the need for a nearby DBSA support group in North County, so he began hosting monthly meetings in Del Mar.
Roger facilitates discussion of issues challenging those with bipolar disorder and family members are also welcome. Roger helps group members understand the crisis process and meets personally with families in crisis. He is a role model – with proper diagnosis and medications, a bipolar person can have a full, happy, and productive life.
At support group meetings and speaking opportunities, Roger shares his personal story to promote understanding and tolerance in coping with a mental health condition. He concealed his diagnosis until age 65, but then decided to use his experience to help others.
One group member said “Roger encourages and inspires families living with mental illness by openly discussing his own personal diagnosis of bipolar, ignoring the stigma attached to mental illness. I’ve seen his success in helping others with family after family. We are very grateful for the harmony and understanding he has helped to restore to our family.”
Jon Krassny, Encinitas Rotary Club President said “We are proud to recognize Roger Alsabrook for demonstrating that peacemaking comes in many forms.”

The Encinitas Rotary Club Peacemaker Award annually recognizes community members who have made a significant difference in promoting tolerance, understanding, conflict resolution and peace, either locally or globally.

2021 Rotarian of the Year

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In a Rotary year of enforced social separation due to pandemic health concerns, our major means of being with each other was through small work parties.  At the center, and organizer, of all of these was Mark Berning, who I recognized as the 2020-2021 Rotarian of the Year.  The list of these events included:
San Diego Food Bank food packing
San Dieguito Heritage Museum deck repair and antique postal carriage enclosure construction
San Dieguito Union School District Farm Lab bench and table construction
Olivenhain Meeting Hall grounds clean up and post-and-rail fence repair
Community Resource Center holiday box assembly
San Diego Lab Rats construction of studio sound proofing
Encinitas Historical Society grounds clean up and mount signage for the old school house
Community Resource Center office painting and grounds clean up
Home Team completed 7 projects for needy seniors
Coastal Clean Up Day
Kerry Witkin, President

President’s Choice Award

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Upon receiving The President’s Choice Award,  Daphne was featured in the Encinitas Advocate accepting her award from none other than Sherry Yardley.

Congressman Mike Levin’s Thank You

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Congressman Mike Levin thanks Encinitas Rotary Club for the generous contribution in raising more than $22,000 for Ukrainian Refugees.

Tribute to “Big Jim” Wade

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Celebrating the life of Big Jim, who was in Rotary for 20 years. Big Jim, an intense University of Alabama fan, was a moving force behind the Encinitas Rotary Home Team,  which provides no-cost basic handyman services to community seniors.  Big Jim received the Encinitas Rotary Lifetime Achievement award just before passing.  He was a very unique person, whose demented sense of humor kept us rolling with laugher.  His “no filter” approach meant he would say the things we were all thinking.  Big Jim will be greatly missed.  Roll Tide!