First we celebrated the addition of Dr. Alex Cherniss to the membership ranks of our Club… Alex is the Superintendent of the Palos Verdes School District and a former member of the San Marino Rotary Club. PDG Rick Mendoza performed his normal outstanding job leading the Induction Ceremony and encouraged Alex to get involved in the many activities of our Club. Jim Hartman and Joan Behrens expressed their desire to land him on the Educator of The Year Committee.
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And speaking of activities, President Mark reminded us it’s “all hands on deck” for the Beer & Wine Festival on May 19. This is our Club’s biggest fundraiser. The proceeds from last year’s Festival funded such projects as the two International Projects we just completed in Peru, the Sheriff’s Station Kitchen Remodel, two Mobile Medical Clinics, the Stop Hunger Now project, the San Pedro Peninsula YMCA Youth & Government grant, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce’s Young Entrepreneurs Academy grant, sending two students to RYLA, Rotary District Speech Contest, a End Polio Now contribution and MORE! ALL Club members are asked to volunteer for at least one three hour shift! As a reward, volunteers can purchase a ticket for themselves for only $30. We have a record number of participating breweries, wineries and restaurants.
And a special acknowledgement of our guests at the meeting, Evan Rees, a Rotarian from New York, Carol Levi who Susie Seamans promotes as one the area’s best flutists, and Shinnae Sung a local real estate professional. Welcome and thank you for visiting.
The true highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Renee Cowan, Executive Director of the D K Kim Foundation The D K Kim Foundation is one of our most cherished partners as the major donor of our EOTY Dinner. Ms. Cowan enlightened us with her reflections of the generosity of D K and the inspiration he provides to so many, whether it be The Haas School of business, USC Pharmacy School, Rotary, Asian America Youth Symphony, the Korean Foundation, and Loyola Marymount University, and o Act among others. Mr. Kim believes the “quickest way to eradicate poverty is thru education” and “if you want your mind to grow, you must first plant a seed.” We are indeed so fortunate to partner with Mr. Kim and the Foundation.