Multiplied Rotary giving

The contributions of the Rotary Clubs of Newport-Balboa, Newport-Irvine and Newport Beach Sunrise to local and international service projects have been multiplied several times over by matching grants from Rotary District 5320, the Rotary International Foundation and local Rotary Clubs in the project areas.

A contribution by the Rotary Club of Newport-Irvine of $2,000 was part of a $14,875 project in Ensenada, Mexico, and a $6,500 grant by Newport-Balboa and Newport Beach Sunrise was part of a $49,150 grant for a project in Pune, India, to provide rubella shots to thousands of children.

A second contribution by Newport Beach Sunrise of $5,000 was part of a $68,250 project in Sri Lanka for tsunami relief. Newport-Balboa received funds from the Rotary International Foundation for the butterfly house at the Environmental Nature Center; Newport-Irvine received funds to purchase books for underprivileged and abused children at Olive Crest, and Newport Beach Sunrise participated in a grant to purchase computers for a high school that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

In total, 50 Rotary Clubs in District 5320 contributed $116,801 for international service projects; that total was matched and multiplied to a grand total of $641,823, said Terry Rousselot, Newport-Balboa president.

HARBOR MESA MEMBER NAMED SECRETARY OF YEAR

Harbor Mesa Lions member Joan Parks was named the district secretary of the year at the recent District 4-L4 convention in Palm Springs. The club also received the visitation award, which was accepted by Chair Janie Harris.

Harbor Mesa Lions will be at the annual fish fry in Costa Mesa this weekend with food, drink booths and the baby and Miss Costa Mesa contests.

NEW LEADER AT CONFERENCE AND VISITORS BUREAU

On June 14, Speak Up Newport will introduce Gary Sherwin, the new president and chief executive of the Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau. Sherwin brings with him many exciting ideas to continue to help promote Newport Beach as a premiere destination and to attract visitors. The Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is a nonprofit, marketing organization under contract with the city to position Newport Beach as a visitor and conference destination. The bureau promotes Newport Beach through advertising and public relations efforts. Questions and answers will follow the presentation.

The meeting will be held at the Newport Beach Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Drive. It will start at 5 p.m. with appetizers and a cash bar followed by the program at 6 p.m.. Additional information is available by calling (949) 224-2266.

VOTE ON TUESDAY

I hope you will exercise your right to vote on Tuesday in the primary election in spite of all the negative campaigning by some candidates and their supporters. My absentee ballot was mailed in several weeks ago and reflects my support for candidates who run positive campaigns, promoting themselves. I have taken the Daily Pilot pledge and will not vote for, make contributions to or endorsements of negative campaigners. Negative campaigning has turned too many voters off.

Use your vote on Tuesday to support positive campaigners. Send a message with your vote.

WORTH REPEATING

From the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council:

“I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.”