Rotary District 5170 Kicks-Off Holiday Giving 2021

Rotary District 5170 (www.rotarydistrict5170.org) comprised of 61 community clubs together work to enrich our local communities – and every holiday season, club members plan and support individuals, seniors, veterans and families in need over the holidays. It is no different this holiday season even during the pandemic.

Clubs kick- off their Community Holiday giving all through December, and many some collaborate in partnership with non-profit agencies.

“Rotary club members care about their communities and together, make an effort every holiday season to bring joy into their lives and ease their burden during the season,” said Richard Flanders, District Governor, Rotary District 5170. “The outcome is “genuine smiles” and gratitude for caring is the best feeling ever,” he added.

Holiday giving projects clubs vary here is a list of some of the clubs projects:

ROTARY CLUB OF CUPERTINO (www.cupertinorotary.org)

Gifts of Hope Program, December 11, 2021,

Cupertino Rotary has partnered with West Valley Community Services (https://www.wvcommunityservices.org/gift-of-hope). West Valley Community Services has over 800 men, women, and children benefiting from our holiday programs this year. Cupertino Rotarians have donated to the Gift of Hope and is sponsoring over 50 families.

Operation Snowflake in partnership with Via Services on Dec 4th and 11th, (two Saturdays) from

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, provides snow sledding for over 200 kids and teens with special needs and their families. More than 100 volunteers and Rotarians will craft 13 tons of snow into a sled run.

The day includes snacks, music, and fun activities. For more information about Via Services,

Visit their website at https://viaservices.org

ROTARY CLUB OF SARATOGA, www.saratogarotary.org

One Warm Coat: Members of the Rotary Club of Saratoga will provide by Dec `1st

100 jackets and coats and 500+ pairs of socks to the less fortunate and homeless,

distributed through Martha’s Kitchen in San Jose. This builds on the monthly food

preparation program that started on March 2020.

Breakfast with Santa: This event scheduled for Dec 4th continues 25+ years tradition

at Washington Elementary School in San Jose. In normal years, Rotarians engage the

150 students in sing-along, music, face painting, art, breakfast, and the kids leave

with gift bag of books from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The event this year will be limited to gift bags.

Family Giving Tree: Rotarians will be bringing smiles to 40 children and their

families who could be low income, unhoused, in foster care, or have disabilities.

Rotary Club of Hollister (www.hollisterrotary.org)

The Club is hosting a Community Winter Drive Brown Bag collecting warm clothing for families and homeless in need starting now through December 16, 2021.

Rotary Club of Santa Clara (www.santaclararotary.org)

Merry Little Christmas Drive Thru ---Open to the Community,

Will distribute toys and goodies to families in need.

When: Thursday, December 9, 2021,

Time: 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Where: 1840 Benton Street, Santa Clara, CA

Christmas4Kids:

Amazon Wish List makes it as easy as 1, 2, and 3.

Shop online before December 7th and it’s ships directly to Rotary’s Warehouse to be distributed by Santa (to 125 underserved kids in our school district on Dec 9th!.

Go to https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1GZE2SX0QOJ6C...

Rotary Club of Gilroy (www.gilroyrotary.org)

For our winter community service project, the Rotary Club of Gilroy is supporting the

Gilroy Unified School District by collecting cash donations and Target gift cards in order to purchase warm weather clothing for their families in need.

To support this effort, go to gilroyrotary.org and click the donate now button.

If you are interested in learning more about Rotary, volunteering, and more about the clubs, please visit our district website at www.rotarydistrict5170.org

ABOUT ROTARY DISTRICT 5170

Rotary District 5170, 61 clubs with 4,000 members is part of the Rotary International global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary International connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio- free world. For more information, visit Rotary District 5170 at www.rotarydistrict5170.org.

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