Community & Clubs:

Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary has answered the call from Rotary International to provide Haitians with desperately needed housing. Club President Tim Brown received a check for $5,000 that paid for five “Shelter Boxes,” emergency kits made by a United Kingdom-based nonprofit.

“The club members individually truly stepped up and demonstrated the Rotary Way,” Brown said. The Rotary Clubs of Newport-Balboa and Newport-Irvine gave enough money to buy one Shelter Box each.

Each Shelter Box contains a water-proof tent that houses 10 people, blankets and sleeping bags, two cook kits, water-purification pills, tools, children’s school supplies, rope, 2-gallon water jugs, sanitation supplies, plates and silverware.

To date, more than 10,000 Shelter Boxes have been sent to Haiti to house 100,000 people in new encampments. In response to an earthquake, an additional 1,000 Shelter Boxes have been shipped to Chile, according to Rotary officials. For more on Shelter Boxes, visit www.shelterboxusa.org.

SERVICE CLUBS ON THE ROAD

According to Carol Van Holt, the Harbor Mesa Lions are planning a fashion show for May 3, and had a very successful fundraiser, Lucy & Ethyl Bingo Night at the March 1 meeting. The club had a bus trip to see the “Dr. Phil Show” in February, which was a big hit for 37 people. Dr. Phil gave everyone in the audience a $200 Shell gas card. After the taping the bus took them to a farmer’s market for lunch and shopping. Another bus trip to the show was planned for Tuesday.

On March 27, the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor will bus to San Diego to tour the Midway aircraft carrier, anchored in San Diego harbor. Members will also participate in the other fun attractions on the Midway, which include a museum, aircraft displays and a flight simulator. The flight simulators, which cost $10 to $20, have gotten rave reviews from members who’ve tried it, according to Steve Pool, Spin Drift editor.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

“Ability can take you the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

— Zig Ziglar

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunity for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, for the Orange County Fire Authority Awards.

3:30 to 8 p.m.: The Harbor Mesa Lions Club will be Dining for Dollars at Polly’s Pies, 9791 Adams Ave., in Huntington Beach.

5:15 p.m.: The 10-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Ramada Inn & Suites, 1680 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa. For more information, visit www.costamesarotary.org.

6 p.m.: The 69-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a St. Patrick’s Day Dinner. For more information, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, 1835 Newport Blvd.

Noon: The 67-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI, 801 E. Peltason Drive.

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Bill Burke on “Climbing Mt. Everest Again!”

6 p.m.: The 35-member Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa Meets at the Costa Mesa Country Club, 1701 Golf Course Drive

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, for a program by Deborah Parker – “Independent Living Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.” Visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com .