I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. I am filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary impact we have achieved together. Your dedication, compassion, and hard work have been a lifeline for those affected by the devastating fires across LA County!
We want to thank the Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club for continuing to be a committed partner by providing the space for our collective efforts!
We are also proud to partner with and want to thank the following individuals and organizations:
Pacific Ocean Management
Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell
City Council Member, Traci Park
Niagara Water
Rainbow Acres
Chef Israel at SMWYC
Boys & Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside
HIYO Inc.
eSalon, El Segundo
Emporium Thai
Trader Joes, MdR
Petco, MdR
LA Chargers
LA Kings
Teak Warehouse
and many more!
All thanks to the unwavering support of our amazing Rotarians and the 200+ volunteers who came out to our donation drive last weekend and throughout this entire week, we have been able to accomplish the following:
Delivered over 40,000 pounds of water!
Delivered over 700 hot meals
Delivered ten 26ft U-Haul trucks of essential supplies, clothing, pet supplies, food, water and more to the following Fire Relief Centers:
Santa Anita Relief Center
Boys & Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley and Eastside
Boys & Girls Club of Malibu
P.A.T.H
Hope the Mission
Deliverance Tabernacle Church, Pasadena
In response to the overwhelming support, I am thrilled to announce the launch of the "Heart of the Harbor powered by Marina Del Rey Rotary" Fire Relief Center in Fisherman's Village!
Thanks to our amazing partners at Pacific Ocean Management, they have opened a space for us to launch our community relief distribution center!
This initiative will serve as a hub for providing essential resources and recovery support to all those impacted by these devastating fires. Together, we can extend hope and help!
As we move forward into the coming weeks and months, our strategic plan will guide us through three critical phases:
Phase 1: Triage
Meet immediate needs by providing essential supplies such as water, food, toiletries, first aid, and more.
Phase 2: Assess the Need
Collaborate with community leaders and organizations across the County of Los Angeles to identify gaps and long-term challenges through active participation and engagement at all levels.
Phase 3: Recovery
Focus on helping families return to a sense of normalcy, rebuild their homes, businesses, and community spaces while fostering resilience and preparedness for the future.
The path ahead requires sustained effort, and we need your continued support. Here’s how you can help:
Volunteer: Sign up to assist with supply deliveries and support services.
Spread the Word: Share our mission to rally more support.
Donate: Contributions of time, resources, or funds will expand our reach and impact!
*** Please be careful who you make financial contributions to and do your research! Reach out to anyone on our Board of Directors to lend advice or make suggestions to organizations that we directly work with and trust! ***
Together, we are making a profound difference. Thank you for your compassion and unwavering dedication. Even in the face of adversity, our community’s spirit shines brightly. Let’s continue to stand together and restore hope for those who need it most.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Kurtis Sundblom
President 2024-2025
MdR Rotary
p.s. this email has a lot of great content and may be clipped in your email browser, so make sure to click "view entire message" just in case!
JAN 16TH ~ JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR!
We invite you to join us at the California Pizza Kitchen to celebrate our collective impact and to recharge our social batteries with a little fun and reprieve from the devastating fires.
📅 Date: Jan 16
📍 Location: CA Pizza Kitchen, MdR
⏰ Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Join the Marina del Rey Rotary for our first Lunar New Year Celebration as we welcome the Year of the Snake with joy, culture, and community!
The snake, a symbol of wisdom, transformation, and elegance, inspires us to embrace growth and new opportunities. Let’s celebrate this special year together with festive traditions, cultural performances, and warm connections.
📅 Date: Jan 23
📍 Location: Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club
⏰ Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Wishing you a year of insight, transformation, and prosperity in the Year of the Snake! 🐍
