On Wednesday December 15, all of the Rotarians in Seaside, along with Seaside High Jazz Chorus, church members and many community folks all became Santas for the community of needy children.

Over 250 families this year qualified as needy according to DSHS local officials, and each of their 400 children received several gifts – hand-wrapped, personally addressed, and readied for delivery. Tomorrow, Rotarians will team up to deliver them to the households and with bright shining faces wish them a Merry Christmas.

Wishes wrapped at Convention Center

“Together with our community, we serve children who would otherwise Continue reading →

First brave tree-planters ... the FIRS

Rotary believes it is important to Preserve Planet Earth.  Rotarians around the world, from Oregon to Indonesia**, are engaged in tree planting and reforestation.

Our club had just instituted a new Member Orientation Program, so that our new members could really get the spirit of Rotary, and understand it at several levels.  The new members wanted to do something to acknowledge the hours of work – and the sense of becoming “fully inducted Rotarians” (FIR’s).

It has been said:  Leaders plant trees, knowing they will never enjoy the shade.

So was born the idea of planting a tree in honor of a person or event.  The most suited tree here on the Oregon Coast we learned is a Western red cedar … and a great place is in the lands managed by the North Coast Land Conservancy (NCLC, see website).  So we planted trees – with Deb’s beloved Buzbee in tow – last year, and they are doing well.

These conversations have led to a long-term relationship with NCLC and a new Rotary grove located at the Circle Creek property.  See the color map of the grove: Rotary-NCLC Circle Creek Riparian Planting Map.

Tree Planting Location

Well, Rotarians are all about Community.  So, we decided to make this grove open to anyone in the community who cares about ecology, reforestation, or simply wants to dedicate a tree to a loved one.  That’s right – anyone can purchase a weather-resistant metal tag which will be installed at the entrance to the Rotary grove, to honor a person, cause, marriage, baptism, graduation – any event, or for no reason at all.  The tag will be etched with words, or a custom tag with one’s own drawing can be arranged.  Soon we’ll have a web page to order the tags.  The Rotary Club of Seaside will have the tag made, attach it to the permanent monument, and let you know so you can view it.  And, we’re organizing tree planting parties in March and a big one on April 29, during the Rotary District Conference.

More details will follow … so check here in the next few weeks.

** In Indonesia, deforested by villagers burning wood to boil water and palm oil plantations, Rotarians are planting over 1,000,000 trees nationwide.
SM, AE