Last September, Avalon Rotary hosted its annual charity auction and raised over $30,000 that will primarily benefit local community charities.  This month, Rotary has made two significant distributions of those funds to support local projects.

The Catalina Island Museum will receive funding to publish a children's Catalina history activity book.  "We are so excited to have received this grant.  We've wanted to do a kids activity book for quite awhile now and the stumbling block has been how to pay to get it published.  With this grant we can create a completely customized book that will feature word and coloring activities that will bring our history alive," said museum executive director Stacey Otte.  The museum has already begun working with a publisher and they anticipate that 5000 copies will be published in time for the fall school season.  Every elementary school student will receive a copy this fall.  In subsequent years every third-grader will receive a free copy.  The book will also be for sale in the museum store.

Avalon Rotary also made a significant grant to the City of Avalon to support the refurbishment of the flooring at Tremont Hall which is used for a variety of community activities.  Rotary is also making a grant to support the purchase of special exercise mats.

Avalon Rotary actively contributes to the betterment of our Island community.  In past years donations include $8,000 towards updated equipment for the Catalina Island Medical Center and $10,000 in scholarships awarded to 2007 AHS graduates.  Avalon Rotary also organizes and fundraises for the USC Trojan Marching Band's participation in our communities Fourth of July parade.

Avalon Rotary is just one of over 32,000 Rotary Clubs around the world in over 200 countries.  All are dedicated to the creed of "service above self."  Rotary International was founded in 1905 as both a business networking and community service organization.  Avalon Rotary offers its membership a chance to network with local business leaders as well as offer community service opportunities for our Island, as well as projects such as feeding the hungry in Ensenada, Mexico or contributing to international efforts to eradicate polio.  Avalon Rotary meets weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15 at the Country Club conference room.  If you're interested in learning more about Rotary, contact Membership Chair Stacey Otte at 310-510-8387.