Friday, August 26, 2011

The Irvine Animal Care Center Scoop at Irvine Rotary Club

When you rescue a shelter pet they Know! If you have adopted a dog or cat or other animal from a shelter you understand the true meaning of this saying.

The Irvine Rotary Club proudly provides support to this award-winning program,we should all be proud of. Ron Edwards, Animal Care Administrator and Christine Franco, Program Coordinator of the Irvine Animal Care Center provided an overview of our most unique city run shelter which services the entire Irvine community, and beyond. Their low euthanasia rate, high level of donors,volunteers and supporters make this an animal shelter many other cities are envious of.

In this economy in other communities, many animals get overlooked, but not at this center. It costs $6.50 per day per animal to keep them in the shelter. Fundraising and donations is an important part of operating the shelter, but the city sure does contribute. Three outstanding programs include:
1- Extended Care-if an animal is not reclaimed within 30 days, the city pays for care of the animal for the first 45 days. And the goal is if the animal is adoptable, they will work to get it adopted.
2-Enhanced program-they fundraise for the medical funding needed to pay for injured animals including fractures, mange and more. Full time medical staff are employed to provide excellent care. Anyone wishing to adopt one of the 2,200 animals annually adopted from the center are screened first before allowed to adopt an animal.
3- Third Chance Program-This is a huge area of needed not just locally but across the country. Because the Irvine shelter is so blessed with resources, as space allows, they go to other shelters from as far away as Escondido, Inland Empire and Los Angeles to rescue animals that are adoptable and bring them locally. Irvine truly save lives from beyond our community. There is a big demand from other shelters for help and Irvine shelter heeds the call. And our Irvine community has a big demand to adopt shelter animals.
You can participate by becoming a volunteer (ages 17+)and walking a dog or petting a cat, attending the Super Pet Adoption Day where you can adopt a Certified Pet, and their annual fundraiser Casino Night! Specials include Senior Pets for Senior People, a special low fee.

Adopt a Pre-Loved Pet Today! Visit www.IrvineShelter.org.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

August 16, 2011 Meeting Notes

Sports is a part of our American way. Whether you are able or disabled, most of us have a desire to play with the team!

David Armendariz, Regional Director of the Special Olympics, Southern California, enlightened our rotary club about the breadth and depth of the organization. 3.1 million SA athletes compete in 195 countries around the globe. This effective organization provides kids and adults with disabilities with an opportunity everyday to maximize their potential in sports. Ethel Kennedy created the organization almost 50years ago. There are many volunteer opportunities to work with SA, meet and get to know the disabled and see them in action.

SA is a sports traiing and competition organization for the disabled athletes. They are able to develop their skills thru sports. At one time this group was forgotten, now they are center stage, around the world. Athletes learn to compete, be a good team mate, communicate, and build skills.

They want to win, like any athlete. SA compete in 12 sports. The minimum age is 8, and seniors age 70-87 participate. SA athletes are five times more likely to be employed, than their peers.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Ralphs Market grand reopening

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In celebration of the ribbon cutting ceremony of Ralphs at Walnut and Culver, Irvine Rotary coordinated with Irvine Eagles Special Olympics of Southern California, Orange County Region team, and Boy Scouts Troop 691, to attend the event. The collaborative participation, was to jointly promote self confidence and self esteem through participation in sports and scouting. And that, sporting and scouting are for all, regardless of any physical limitation.

Each non-profit entity, Special Olympics and Boy Scouts Trooop 691, will receive a monetary grant from Ralph's Foundation to recognize the work they do for youth in Irvine Community. The grant will be used to fund future sporting and scouting projects.

The Ralphs Foundation gave the Irvine Eagles a $2,500 grant to help to underwrite sports during the upcoming Fall season. The grant will also help double the number of athletes participating in the Irvine Eagles bowling program.

Special Olympics provides a year-round sports training and competition program for men, women and children with an intellectual disability. Through the power of sports, the athletes gain important life skills and experiences that enhance self-confidence and self-esteem.

Irvine Rotary Club supports the activities of Irvine Eagles through sports uniform donations, volunteering at Special Olympics games, and joined baseball game attendance over the years.


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Irvine Boy Scout Troop 691, received a $500 grant to help fund the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Troop 691 and Eagles Reunion this December 19, 2011.

Established in 2006, Irvine Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of the Irvine Rotary Club. The Foundation has its own Board of Directors and Officers separate from the Rotary club, with the elected Officers and Directors drawn from the members of the Irvine Rotary Club. The Foundation has tax-exempt status under IRS code 501(c)(3), Charitable Corporation.

The Foundation raises money and makes charitable contributions in accordance with the following guidelines:

Contributions to schools for educational scholarships;

Charitable contributions for youth activities and to youth organizations within, or substantially benefiting, the Irvine area and/or California;

Other charitable organizations within, or substantially benefiting, the Irvine area and/or California;

Charitable organizations which help alleviate suffering in a time of crisis, wherever situated; and

Other charitable organizations approved by a majority of the Members of the Foundation.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Irvine Public Safety Partnership Awards

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Mody Gorsky of the Irvine Rotary Club presents the Irvine Public Safety Partnership award to Anthony Johnson of Universal Protection Service for his invaluable assistance to the
Irvine Police Department in solving a series of recent vehicle break-ins at The Market Place. Assisting in the presentation are Irvine Police Chief David Maggard and Detective John Condon.

Public Safety Award

Irvine Rotary supports Irvine Adult Day Health Care


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Kris Khurana and Cisca Stellhorn present Kimberly Beesom (center) with a $1,000 check to support the Irvine Adult Day Health Center. The IADHC was one of the casualties of the Governor Jerry Brown's decision to take away funding for community programs in an attempt to balance the California budget.