Community

SERVICE PROJECTS

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.

Sir Winston Churchill

Community Service

Often described as the "heartbeat of Rotary," Community Service is the way in which our club has it's greatest impact on improving the community in which we live. To a large extent, Rotary's reputation is built on the variety of Community Service projects undertaken by Rotarians in their local communities.

Seating Area at Aikahi Playground

This is our latest community project, started in January of 2009. Our club has decided to help sponsor a $2,500 seating area at the Aikahi Playground. See minutes from board meeting 01/15/2009.
Members are encouraged to donate through the club's treasurer Jerry. Members can also contribute by lending tools.
Details in the Aikahi Playground website

Weinberg Project

Chair: Joe Barboo.
Annually our club participates in the Weinberg Friends Program by performing a community service work project (e.g., painting, yard work, carpentry, etc.). This year, 2011, marks the fifteenth year that our club will participate in this very worthwhile endeavor. Our work project is scheduled for Saturday the 24th of September.

Upon completion of the work project the Weinberg Foundation allows our club to recommend a 501(c)(3) public charity to receive a $10,000 grant from the Foundation.
Further information regarding tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3).
In addition to being a 501(c)(3) charity, the charity must provide help to the poor and needy. The work project may or may not be for the charity that receives the $10,000 grant.

We are currently in the process of identifying a public service work project and candidates for this year's $10,000 grant. I (Joe Barboo) request that club members nominate a community service work project that may or may not be linked to the public charity receiving a grant. Also, please provide the names of deserving organizations (include a point of contact at the organization), with a short summary of the organization's contribution to the community and a work project that we can accomplish for the organization.
Weinberg Friends Program - Most Asked Questions.

Read about past projects here:

Summary of 1997-2008 2008 2007 2006 2004

Service Above Self Award and Banquet

This project recognizes a resident of Windward Oahu who, by their demonstrated service to the community, exemplifies the Rotary motto of "Service Above Self". The winner of the award is honored at a banquet/award ceremony held annually at the Mid Pacific Country Club.

Dictionaries to Third Graders

Chair: Paul Vierling,
Our club has adopted 19 schools on the windward side and donates one dictionary to each third grader in each class in support of Rotary International's goal of universal literacy for all.
More information on this project.
Pictures from teaching the kids how to use the dictionaries.
Assignment of our club members to individual schools are found in the Members area.

Boys & Girls Club of Kailua

Chair: Natalie Oda-Lee.
The Boys & Girls Club of Kailua is a positive place for students to meet before school, during recess, at lunchtime and after school. It offers a safe, comfortable, supervised environment for all, with activities to suit the individual needs. The Center is open 7:30AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday. The Club is also open during intersessions in spring, summer, fall and winter, offering assistance with homework and tutoring. There are ukulele lessons with Brother Nolan, art classes, classes in photography, digital graphics, cooking and sewing, ping-pong, pool and outdoor activities.

Students from the windward area are eligible to join for just $1 a year. Most students come from Kailua schools. Despite transportation difficulty, several come from Waimanalo and Kaneohe. During spring intersession, some students whose parents work in Kailua also come from Mililani and Pearl City. 62% are boys, 32% girls. 38% are Hawaiian or part Hawaiian, 27% Caucasian, other races make up the rest. All school ages are represented, but the majority are 7-9 years old. The present enrollment is 392. On a typical day, 70 students visit the Center.

Our club supports the club with an annual financial contribution.

Kailua Beach Clean Up

The late Clyde Smith developed this project to beautify Windward Oahu's most valuable natural asset - Kailua Beach. It involves a joint effort using 10 women from the Woman's Community Correctional Center, in Kailua, to clean up Kailua Beach for four hours on Monday and Friday each week. The club's responsibility is to provide lunch for the cleanup personnel.

Meals on Wheels

Chair: Raul Hayasaka.
Club members deliver meals each Monday to "shut in" families and individuals in Windward Oahu. More information is here.
Members: Driver information and schedule is in the Members area.

Rotary Gives Thanks

The program for 2008-2009 is to be determined.

Christmas Giving

A project to bring Christmas cheer to needy families or organizations on Windward Oahu. Project to be determined.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life

Chair: Hailey Hermosa.
This new initiative will have the club participate by paying $500 to become a "Sponsor Plus" at the annual Windward Oahu portion of The American Cancer Societies annual Relay for Life. By being a "Sponsor Plus" the club will be able to register a ten person team in the relay events and have the club's name/logo printed on the tee shirts issued to all participants.

Flag Pole Dedication

In commemoration of Rotary's centennial, Windward Rotary dedicated and installed a flagpole at the Kailua Public Library on February 24th 2005. More information here.