The Avalon Rotary Club annually distributes funds to benefit international and local charities. Recent funds have been used to help feed the hungry.  This year the local club's international funding went to fund a Rotary partnership project in Ensenada, Mexico.  The Avalon Rotary club along with the two San Diego Rotary Clubs and one in Montebello, CA partnered with the Club Rotary Centenairo of Ensenada.  In early January, two Avalon Rotary Club members, Lourdes Thoricht and Rita Whitaker traveled to Ensenada to distribute 925 food baskets and blankets throughout the poverty stricken areas of Ensenada.  The needy families live in cardboard houses, with no electricity and very limited bathroom facilities.  The food baskets and blankets are given out each January to help celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings.  The recipients were overjoyed with everything they received, particularly the warm blankets.

Avalon Rotary actively contributes to the betterment of our Island community. This past year, Avalon Rotary raised money through its annual charity auction and contributed $15,000 to the Avalon Humane Society to help provide for the new veterinary clinic.  The Avalon Rotary also gave out Von's gift cards to local residents for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In addition, Avalon Rotary organizes and fundraises for the popular USC Trojan Marching Band's participation in Avalon's 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 Club 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 or contributing to international efforts to eradicate polio.  Avalon Rotary meets weekly on Wednesdays at 12:15 at the Country Club conference room.