Yearly Archives: 2014

Orange Plaza Marks World Polio Day

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Orange Plaza Rotary observed World Polio Day with a special “Polio Update” presentation by Past District Governor Rae Shirer.

The program will be repeated on November 5th.  Members of the public are welcome to attend to learn how Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide have made it much easier to battle other diseases, such as ebola.

 

They Only Come Out at Night

IMG_20141030_162431Orange Plaza Rotary members and their families enjoyed mingling with thousands of ghost, ghouls and goblins (and a fair number of Disney princesses) at the annual City of Orange “Treats in the Streets” event.  The fall party shuts down the historic Orange Plaza so that attendees may trick or treat safely at local businesses, play games and create crafts at booths hosted by local organizations, and vie for the “best costume” award.

Orange Plaza Rotary ran its popular bean bag booth, handing out candy to all who played.

See you all next year!

Custom Wheelchair Ramp Installed

2014 Wheelchair Ramp

Orange Plaza Rotary has a unique specialty: building custom wheelchair ramps for local senior citizens.  Rotarians measure the available space, custom design the ramp, purchase the materials and then build the ramp as a team.

This year, the ramp was built at the home of member Joe Colombo.  The following day, Rotarians installed the sanded and pre-painted ramp for a grateful citizen!

Sue Hayes Honored at Business Leadership Awards

Hayes, Sue

 

 

Although Sue was out of town celebrating her birthday with family and friends, the Rotary Club of Orange Plaza marked her service to our community at the Rotary Business Leadership Awards, held October 17th at the Doubletree Hotel.  The event is organized by Rotary District 5320 and allows Rotary clubs to honor Rotarian and community business leaders for their service, vocational leadership and business ethics.  About Sue:

Sue Hayes, Owner and Operator of Showcard Signs in Anaheim, was a member of Orange Plaza Rotary for 5 years.  She has recently joined the rolls of “Honorary” members so that she will have more time to focus on her family and growing brood of grandchildren. But even without active membership, Sue continues to live the 4 Way Test in her personal life and business.  She shares the Rotary philosophy with others, but most particularly the youth she serves in our community.  She is a role model to many, including several years of RYLA family members.  As Sue prepares for retirement, this is an excellent opportunity to recognize her contributions to the community and to Rotary,

As a sign maker, Sue has donated hundreds of hours of staff and personal time designing and producing a variety of signs and placards for Rotary club and Rotary District events.  These professional items are delivered on-time and Rotary is billed only for materials.  (But only after years of urging Sue to bill us something!)  Sue has also opened her shop as a location for Rotary service projects, including the production of more than 2 dozen baby blankets for low-income parents.  With her years of experience working with event planners and large corporate clients, she is often the first one to be called for a contact to get a Rotary event underway.  Sue is always ready to serve, with a smile.

Sue’s easy going nature is reflected in the stability of her team of employees.  Most have worked for Sue for years or even decades.  The team works hard and sometimes very long hours to meet important client deadlines.  They do this because Sue is a natural leader, leading by example, willing to work side-by-side with her team.

Sue demonstrates the same leadership and team skills in a Rotary club setting and in other organizations where she gives her time.  A small club such as Orange Plaza can often become fractious under the stress of implementing an important service project or a huge fundraiser such as the Orange Plaza Car Show.  Sue never loses her cool and always focuses on how the team can get the job done.  She is a calming presence and is always, always concerned with the well-being of others.  With every new greeting, Sue will ask after your family, your pets, your car and sanity.  With Sue, you know you always have a friend in Rotary.

While Sue is easy going, she’s certainly no push over.  As a woman business owner with large corporate contracts throughout Southern California, she must demonstrate the will to get the job done.  Her ethical commitment to keeping her promises also keeps her in business.

In addition to Sue’s many long-term employees, she has maintained long-term customers, including the property managers of the Fashion Island shopping center, by dealing with them fairly and with the ultimate professionalism  There is no greater testimony to the ethical operation of a business than a repeat customer.

As a business owner and leader, Sue applies her skills in serving youth through RYLA and other organizations.  In the past, she has been very active in the Girl Scout organization.  For the past several years, she served as a “Team Assistant” or “Mom” for RYLA families at the District 5320 event.  Because of her compassion, work ethic and communication skills, Sue is still in touch with many of her RYLA “kids”.

Sue has applied her leadership and skills to assisting the disabled clients of Elwyn California.   She has been a regular attendee of Elwyn events, volunteering at picnics, bowl-a-thons and other activities.  Her open friendly attitude makes it easy for these clients to enjoy her company and even a rousing game of Bingo!

Thank you Sue Hayes, Community Leader!

 

Orange Plaza Partners with OC Social Workers

Orange Plaza Rotary members were on hand for the Department of Social Services “faith fair” on October 16th.  This event brought together more than a dozen churches and community organizations that run programs specifically designed to assist children in the foster care system.

Rotarians distributed 2 backpacks with school supplies to each social worker and introduced the club as the “go to” for service in the community of Orange.

Following the fair, 63 backpacks were delivered to Orangewood Childrens Home, a care facilility for children removed from abusive homes.

 

Rotarians Complete Youth Protection Training

Youth Protection 2014Rotary District 5320 Youth Services chair Steve Larson was our guest on October 8th as members completed the Youth Protection training offered by the District.  All volunteers, including Rotarians, non-Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who are over the age of 18 must complete the District’s “Abuse and Harassment Prevention Training” (Youth Protection Training) if they will work directly with youth under the age of 18 in any Rotary program including Interact, RYLA or Rotary Youth Exchange.

Orange Plaza Rotary works directly with youth in the signature “Mentor Meals” program, side-by-side with El Modena Interact, and as volunteers at the annual RYLA youth camp.

 

Orange Plaza to Mark Polio Day on Oct 22nd

As World Polio Day approaches, many Rotarians wonder if polio can truly be eradicated in the world by 2018. Meanwhile, most American are unaware of the risk that polio could, once again, become a problem on our own shores.

Join us on October 22nd, for an update on the battle to beat polio and learn why Rotary’s efforts make it easier to combat other diseases such as the ebola virus.

Invite your friends and family – especially the parents of young children – as PDG Rae Shirer presents “Where Are We Now?”

 

Ruby’s Streamliner Lounge
186 N. Atchison
Old Towne Orange, CA

5:30 p.m.