Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
La Mesa Community Center
4975 Memorial Drive
La Mesa, CA 91942
United States of America
La Mesa, CA 91942
United States of America
Our Rotary Club had the first round of the Rotary District 5340 high school student instrumental contest. We hosted four students competing this year.
The winner at this level moved on compete again at a sub-regional contest. Each of the four students received a check for their participation and efforts. For more information see the January 22, 2025 Tattler on the right side of this webpage or call Bill Ashman 619 678 8764
La Mesa Rotarians and GHS Interact students joined with about 2,500 other supporters to walk at Liberty Station to support of NAMI. Our Rotary District 5340 raised nearly $5,500+.The NAMI organizers had arranged for about 50 other mental health organizations to have tables with current information to be shared with those seeking help, or for any individual who might help someone else in need. With all of these caring walkers, they raised over $190,000.
The Bill Kalt scholarship has been awarded to PHHS students by the Mission Valley Rotary and the La Mesa Rotary since 1998. We have presented over 60 scholarships to students graduating from PHHS. This year three students were each awarded a $3,000. This scholarship grant may be used, in a wide variety of ways, to assist the students pursue further education in a vocational school, community College, or four year university. The students have two years to determine how they will use the money. These students were selected early during their freshman year. The Rotarians have met and mentored the students, in a group setting, twice a year. For more information call Bill Ashman 619-876-6784
In eight hours on April 18, 2025 the Rotarians from La Mesa Rotary Club, Santee Lakeside Rotary Club, Chula Vista-Eastlake Rotary Club, Mt Miguel H. S. Interact Club, and Project Mercy came together to provide a new home for a family in Mexico. There was a job for everyone who volunteered to help BUILD and paint this house. Starting with the prepared concrete slab and delivered building materials to locking the front door. To see pictures go to the April 23 , 2025 Tattler on the right side of this webpage.
On this very special Saturday, March 1, 2025, our Rotary Club provided a total of 600 hamburgers and hot dogs to the players and their families. They were also given chips and a cookie. The 12 Rotarians, GHS Interacters, and helpers began preparations at 11:00 and finished near 3:00. The LL had other entertainment activities for the players. We believe this events helps to encourage boys and girls to participate in community sponsored sports. For more information and pictures see the March 5, 2025 on the right side of this webpage.
Two students from Mt. Miguel H.S. competed in the Rotary District 5340 Model U. N. Day on March 23 and 24, 2025. They were coached by Becky Schwartz, our Club President, and M.M. teacher Karen Purog. The students competed against 49 other teams. Our team represented the country of Seychelles. Our students received the Top Research Recognition award at the event held at the Del Mar City Hall.
After Nikki Schbert spoke at our meeting, on January 15,2025, our Rotary Club donated $700 to this foundation. This organization is an international faith based non profit providing wheelchairs for people with disabilities in developing nations who do not have access or the resources to obtain one. The wheelchairs are developed, packaged and shipped at the cost of $96 each. The organization has 49 vetted distribution partners serving 33 countries. For more information see the January 29,2025 Tattler on the right side of this webpage.
Join the Rotary Club of La Mesa, California as we celebrate a century of service, community, and impact! On Saturday, October 18, 2025, we’ll mark this historic milestone with an unforgettable evening aboard the luxurious Hornblower Cruise Line. Against the stunning backdrop of San Diego Bay, we’ll honor our rich legacy and toast to the bright future ahead.
The Interact Club was very involved in the community this Fall. Several members walked in the Alzheimer's walk at Liberty Station in October. The students helped at several Fall Festivals at the local Elementary schools. On Fridays they helped to make lunch and snack bags at the Joneyney church. These bags were given to unhoused individuals in San Diego. The Interact students made Thank You bags for Veterans in Nov. They assisted with the Legacy church to serve a Thanksgiving dinner for the needy. In Dec, the students assisted at some elementary school Winter Festivals. Their latest project was assembling bicycals with the La Mesa Rotary to give to second graders at Avondale Elementary school for Christmas.
On Saturday, Dec. 14 many of our Club members, and Mt Miguel and Grossmont HS students, assembled 55 bicycles. The bicycles were given to ALL second graders at Avondale Elementary school on Tuesday, Dec. 17. The students had written excellent essays about "Improving their community". The students thought only a few of the the best essay writers would get rewarded. For more information call Bill Ashman 619 876 6784
The Ivan Nolan $1,000 scholarship was presented to Sama Polus. Sama is a graduate of Valhalla H. S. and a STEM student majoring in Biology, was selected from hundreds of scholarship applications. Sama plans to transfer to UCSD to major in research.
Ivan Nolan, a long time member of La Mesa Rotary befoe his death, opened La Mesa Enginering and did the initial ssurveying for the property that is now Grossmont College.
In Attendance, at our Aug. 28 Rotary meeting, also were Ivan's family members, Grossmmont-Cuyamaca Foundation Development Director, Dana Rivers, and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Foundation Development Manager, Kerri Ewing.
On Saturday Jun14,2025 La Mesa Rotary Club and other Service organizations will be the Grand Marshalls of the La Mesa City Flag Day Parade. La Mesa Rotary members for many years have been responsible for getting each participating unit in to the correct order/ line to march up La Mesa Blvd. at 10:00.
We hope you can attend this year.
May 28, 2024 was the last Interact meeting for the 2023-2024 school year. The students had a very successful year completing many Service projects. They participated in elementary school carnivals and open houses. Their visit to Westmont senior Living with Valentine gift bags was especially rewarding to the recipients and the students. As one of their final efforts, the students held a garage sale to raise money for their International project. The contributed $200 to help build a house in Mexico. Several East County Rotary Clubs and Interact students will build the house on June 29,2024.The senior officer leaders were Shannon Elwin, Grace Dilgard, and Mylie Weston. Several Rotarians attended and presented the students with an Interact shirt and delicious cupcakes.
The Junior students who were elected as officers for 2024-2025 presented ALL of the senior Interact students with a package to show their gratefulness for the senior members.
It was a very special moment, which led to a BIG group hug.
May 22, 2024 Our Rotary Club in collaboration with the INTERACT Club of Mt. Miguel High School, recently unveiled a PEACE Pole on the My Miguel campus. The ceremony was attended by the Club advisor Karen Purog, Interact President Elizabeth Rodriquez, numerous La Mesa Rotarians and Interact Club members.
The PEACE Pole includes the message "May Peace Prevail on Earth". It is displayed in a garden decorated with numerous rocks that members of the Interact Club designed.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Mt Miguel Interact Club for their achievement of having the first Peace Pole erected on a San Diego County High School campus.
Save the Date! May 5, 2024 will be our annual Pickleball for a Purpose Fundraising event at The Hub. Details on how to sign up are coming soon!
La Mesa Rotary donated 35 backpacks to La Mesa Dale Elementary school and 35 to Avondale Elementary School. We also gave 35 backpacks to Julian Oaks Camp for Foster children. Each backpack had pencils, notebooks and other school supplies. See our Aug Tattler for pictures.
On Thursday, August17 La Mesa Rotary had a table at the East County Chamber event at the Marriott Hotel in El Cajon. Several Rotarians distributed Rotary information, and invited many of the presenters to our meetings. This was the first event where we showed a slide show of our Club activities. There were nearly fifty businesses represented that evening. We gave a $50 gift certificate to Frazier Farms Grocery store as our door prize.
Mary Nelson joined our Rotary on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2023. Mary has had many careers. She first worked for First National Bank of San Diego. While moving to Japan she was a GS4, for the Army, as a Secretary in the Personnel Services Dept. Back to the U.S., she was employed by Lancaster, Ca. School District.
Mary has always been a volunteer and taught her children the importance of helping others .She currently volunteers at the San Diego Humane Society and SMART recovery ( a non-profit recovery program that is a non-12 step program). She currently is hosting three SMART zoom meetings.
Since becoming a member, Mary has quickly gotten involved with almost all our projects.
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