The Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Foundation (RCOEF) annually gives over $150,000.00 in scholarships to High School graduating seniors from the Ojai Valley. In 2023 we awarded $150,000.00 in scholarships.
Submitted by Betsy Watson, Rotary Club of Ojai Community Grants Chair
Community activists of the Rotary Club of Ojai faced tough choices in awarding $25,000 to local non-profit organizations when requests totaled four times that amount. The proposals, ranging from enrichment activities for area youth, event support, and storm damage repairs, underlined the deep ongoing needs in our bucolic community.
The committee volunteers included new and seasoned Rotarians with varied community experiences. Despite that (or because of it?) they coalesced around requests that address basic needs. At the end of the meeting, ten smaller organizations that provide direct services to residents of the Valley were selected for funding.
Rotarians of Ojai proudly support youth who are transitioning from foster care, first-in-family college applicants, mental health services for at-risk youth and families of young children, music education, and outdoor volunteer experiences for students.
Learning more about the substantial needs and services in our community underscores the importance of robust fundraising. Rotary Club of Ojai community grants are funded by our major fundraiser Taste of Ojai, an all-hands-on-deck annual event. In the large Taste committee and in the smaller community grants committee, we model the credo Service Above Self.
Photo below: Girls Empowerment Workshop received a $2000 Rotary Club of Ojai Community Grant
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Every year the Rotary Club of Ojai awards the Fred Clapp Memorial Business Ethics Award to a non-Rotarian business owner in the Ojai Valley who exhibits a commitment to providing ethical service and improving the lives of people in our community. On March 17 Carolina Murillo of Flora Gardens Nursery received the award at a Rotary meeting, including a plaque that will be displayed prominently at her nursery. She also was featured in an article with photo in the Ojai Valley News. Together with her husband, Carmen, and her son Danny, Carolina has managed Flora Gardens for almost 14 years.
Carolina is grateful that her business allows her to pursue her love of plants. “I’ve had an insane love for plants since early childhood. I am a certified arborist with a strong background in pest management. I thank the many people who took the time to talk to me about their garden and share their dreams and goals while I poked around their garden,” Carolina said.
Rotary Club of Ojai is especially appreciative of Carolina’s advice and service in obtaining trees for the club’s annual Arbor Day tree planting. For the past 22 years the Rotary Club of Ojai has celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees with students at a local school. The Rotary Club meets at the school for lunch, and students put on an Arbor Day program and also learn more about trees from Rtn. Al West, retired Deputy Chief U.S. Forest Service.
Carolina is grateful that her business allows her to pursue her love of plants. “I’ve had an insane love for plants since early childhood. I am a certified arborist with a strong background in pest management. I thank the many people who took the time to talk to me about their garden and share their dreams and goals while I poked around their garden,” Carolina said.
Rotary Club of Ojai is especially appreciative of Carolina’s advice and service in obtaining trees for the club’s annual Arbor Day tree planting. For the past 22 years the Rotary Club of Ojai has celebrated Arbor Day by planting trees with students at a local school. The Rotary Club meets at the school for lunch, and students put on an Arbor Day program and also learn more about trees from Rtn. Al West, retired Deputy Chief U.S. Forest Service.
Photo: (Left to right) Al West, Clapp Business Ethics Award Recipient Carolina Murillo, Vocational Service Director Larry Beckett, Co-Presidents Marty Babayco and Kay Bliss
Rotary Club of Ojai
75th Diamond Anniversary Gala
75th Diamond Anniversary Gala
Saturday June 3rd from 4-8:00 p.m.
Boccali’s Ranch ~ Upper Ojai
Please join in the fun and fellowship as we celebrate 75 years of
“Service Above Self” in a spectacular Topa Topa backdrop!
Wine tastings in a fully working barn with appetizers,
foot tapping music, and a very special video premiere,
followed by a hosted bar, sit-down buffet dinner,
more special music and program on the lawn under the oaks.
75th Anniversary Co-Chairs, Tony Thacher & Cheree Edwards
For questions 805.340.7575
75th Anniversary Co-Chairs, Tony Thacher & Cheree Edwards
For questions 805.340.7575
Taste of Ojai 2023!
A Journey of Food, Wine, and Art
2:00-5:30PM - Sunday, April 16, 2023 - Libbey Park
Get your tickets and view all the details now at www.tasteofojai.org
Proceeds from Taste of Ojai benefit the Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Foundation. The Rotary Club of Ojai and its Educational Foundation have raised nearly one million dollars over the last two decades with Taste of Ojai being our primary fundraising event. Nearly $130,000 of scholarships are awarded each Spring to Ojai students for Fall enrollment at a recognized college, university, community college or technical school, with over 400 scholarships awarded to date. In addition, each year more than $30,000 of community grants are awarded to Ojai schools and non profit organizations.
In celebration of Rotary Club of Ojai’s 75th anniversary year, we’re giving $25,000 to Ojai Valley area non-profit organizations. Organizations that serve residents anywhere in the Ojai Valley are encouraged to apply. This year’s focus will be on projects with an environmental, youth and/or educational impact.
Submit completed applications to ojairotarygrants@gmail.com before the February 28 deadline.
The Rotary Club of Ojai Educational Foundation believes in a brighter future with student scholarships, teacher grants, and community grants. Go to: ABOUT US – ROTARY CLUB OF OJAI (ojairotaryedfoundation.org)
Please click on the link below to read a great story by Leslie Bouche, Chair of the International Committee. It describes the efforts to generate a global grant for Prashanti International School in India. It provides details of the grant and lists the many Rotary Clubs and other partners which provided the support. The story was written for the District 5240 newsletter.
Rotary Club of Ojai: International Service Committee
The Rotary Club of Ojai’s International Service Committee (ISC) is a very active part of our Club. Over the past several years, we have developed long-term, close working relationships with communities in several countries such as Roatan, Niger, India, Bosnia, Ghana, and Cuba. Ojai Rotary has provided grants to support and help create sustainable, positive change in the areas of medical care, economic development, education & literacy, and water & sanitation. Here is a partial list of our club’s international projects:
The Rotary Club of Ojai, California, has had International projects in Niger and India for many years. During these challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic and economic disruption, we are focused on finding ways to help these communities face the threat of illness and food insecurity.
Rotary Hiking Club meets every Sunday morning
For hike details text Deirdre (805) 640-5717
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Ojai, CA 93023
United States of America