Category Archives: Vocational Service

Orange Sunrise Retakes Elwyn Bowling Pin!

Elwyn Bowl-a-Thon 2010

President Rae Shirer celebrates with team captain John Bouyer Orange Sunrise recovered bragging rights as the Rotary Challenge Champion, winning the title at the 12th Annual Elwyn California Bowl-a-Thon on April 3, 2010.

Orange Sunrise sponsored two teams, determined to beat last year’s winner, the Rotary Club of Tustin-Santa Ana, as well as teams representing the Rotary Clubs of Anaheim Hills, Newport-Balboa, and Newport-Irvine. Rotaract participated as well, with representatives from Long Beach and UC Irvine on hand for the challenge.

The friendly rivalry raised big cash for Elwyn which provides vocational training and job placement for the disabled. All 60 of the bowling centers lanes were sold out and attendees bid on great silent auction items and raced to win prizes for producing such things as a hunting license or displaying the hairiest arm.

Two prizes were awarded in the Rotary challenge class. Defending champion Tustin-Santa Ana made a valiant effort, placing second.

Elwyn Bowl-a-Thon 2010

The champion team: Dennis Kauten, Michelle Kauten, Theresa Bouyer, Justin Gozzo and team captain John Bouyer.

For more photos, visit our Rotary Family Fun page or visit us on Flickr

Operation A Bit of Home Receives $250

Orange Rotarian Bob Meyer visited Orange Sunrise on March 31st to update the club on the efforts of Operation a Bit of Home. The organization was founded by Bob’s son Ken, whose wife Angel reported shortages of basic necessities during her active military service.

Bob told the club that our troops in the middle east had gone without laundry detergent for 40 days and that no supplies were expected from military sources. Orange Sunrise immediately joined with other Rotary clubs to purchase and ship soap. Bob left the meeting with a check for $250. For more information about how you can help our troops, visit the Operation a Bit of Home website.

Orange Sunrise Hosts Area Speech Contest

Orange Sunrise Rotary hosted members of the Rotary Clubs of Orange and Villa Park as each club supported a contestant in the annual District 5320 Speech Contest.

Maia Kinnebrew represented Orange Sunrise Rotary, while Mary Haithcoat spoke for Orange Rotary and the Rotary Club of Villa Park sponsored Bri Baeyens.Maia won the area event, earning the right to compete at the District finals, to be held April 17, 2010 at the Sycamore Center in Lakewood.

Area Speech Contest 2010

1st place winner Maia Kinnebrew, 2nd place Mary Haithcoat, 3rd place Bri Baeyens, area speech contest, March 25, 2010.

Local Rotarians Honor Police and Fire Departments

The Rotary Clubs of Orange, Orange North and Orange Sunrise held the 36th Annual Orange Police and Fire Recognition Awards on March 4, 2010 at The Villa in Orange.

The three clubs work together to plan this annual event.

Representatives from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, State Assembly and State Senate attend, as well as all members of the Orange City Council. These groups honor the Police and Fire personnel, who are presented with plaques of recognition by the Rotary Clubs.

The crowd of more than 150 was entertained by singer Robbie Britt before awards were presented by Fire Chief Bart Lewis and Police Chief Bob Gustafson. The event was reported in the Orange County Register and the article can be found here.

36th Annual Police and Fire Awards

Left to right: Fire Chief Brad Lewis, Firefighter of the Year Captain John Karell, Police Officer of the Year- Motor Officer Brent Taylor, and Police Chief Robert Gustafson.

Spring Book Drive Underway

Orange Sunrise Rotary is collecting books for the District 5320 Children’s Book Drive. Books were collected at every March meeting and will be collected throughout April, even at the 16th Annual Orange Plaza Car Show!

Spring 2010 Book Drive

Teri Snyder with a small number of the books collected during our Spring 2010 Childrens Book Drive.

Several boxes of new and gently used books have already been delivered to the District collection center for donation to the Early Literacy Project and other local programs.

So bring in those books!

High School Speech Contest Held

Three students from El Modena High School competed in the annual Rotary District 5320 High School Speech Contest at our regular meeting on February 10, 2010. The students spoke on the theme “The Future is in Your Hands”, a variation of the current Rotary International theme.

First place winner Maia Kinnebrew was awarded $100 and won the opportunity to compete at the area contest against winners from the Rotary Club of Orange and Rotary Club of Villa Park. 2nd place was awarded to Mary Haithcoat and sophomore Cole Steffansen received third. Mary and Cole each received small scholarships.

The contest was judged by members of Toastmasters International.

2010 High School Speech Contest

From left: Judge George Day, Chair Christine Hale, 1st place winner Maia Kinnebrew, 2nd Place Mary Haithcoat, Judge Pat Adelakan, 3rd place Cole Steffansen, President Rae Shirer, Judge Nanda de Roes. For more photos, visit us on Flickr.

El Modena Interact Joins Literacy Project

Members of the Interact Club of El Modena High School in Orange joined Orange Sunrise Rotary to prepare new childrens books for donation to the El Modena Community Center.

Interact and Rotary literacy project

At the December 9th meeting, Interact board members described their club’s plans for service projects during the 2009-10 school year. The club is very active, with 55 members. Projects include serving meals during a holiday dinner at the Orange Senior Center, book drives and food collection for the local food banks.

The two clubs pasted “Reading by 9” stickers in the front of more than 500 books, identifying them as donations of Orange Sunrise Rotary. The books were then delivered to the El Modena Community Center library for use in their early reader program.

For more photos, visit us on Flickr!

Orange Sunrise Partners with Corazon for the Holidays

Corazon volunteer Cindy Stephen attended our November 18th meeting to collect dozens of bags of goodies headed to Mexico and holiday parties to be thrown by Corazon in several small villages.

Rotarians donated toys for 6 year old boys and teenage boys, as well as gifts for men and women. The kids will receive smaller items since their houses are so small and they have no storage. Women really appreciate comfort items such as blankets, gloves or scarves to keep warm. They also like household items such as dish towels or cooking utensils. Men will be receiving inexpensive tool sets at Big Lots and other useful items.

Orange Sunrise partners with Corazon’ each year to build homes in the Tijuana area. For more about Corazon, visit Corazon.org.

Corazon Holiday Drive 2009

Rotarians join Corazon volunteer Cindy Stephen, to provide gifts for impoverished villages in Mexico. Pictured from left: Rotarian Sue Hayes, Cindy Stephen, Samantha Marikian, Rotarians Tim Hufler and Kevin Hogan.

Rubio’s Joins Thursday Nite Cruise

Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill is now a sponsor of the weekly Thursday Nite Cruise, raising funds for The Rotary Foundation. Rubio’s donates 20% of the net proceeds. joining neighbor Fatburger in supporting Orange Sunrise Rotary.

More than 100 car owners bring their classic, customs, hot rods, street rods and “rats” to the Village of Orange parking lot each week. Car enthusiasts support The Rotary Foundation by chowing down on great hamburgers, onion rings, fish tacos and the occasional cerveza.

Since it began in July, the cruise quickly became a tradition, with many returning every week. Car owners bring their own chairs, to sit, chat and share their love for the automobile.

As of August 30th, more than $2,400 has been raised for The Rotary Foundation. On September 24th, Orange Sunrise began collecting items for “Operation a Bit of Home” as well. The donated DVDs, hygiene supplies, sports and recreation items, snacks and other goodies will be packed and shipped to Freedom Rest in Iraq by Orange Sunrise members.

Because of the generous support of Fatburger, Rubio’s and the car loving community, the Thursday Nite Cruise will continue all year long! Current hours are 5:00 to 8:30 at the Village of Orange, 2318 N. Tustin Ave., Orange, California.