The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation is pleased to announce the following 2012 awards were presented at the July 25 meeting:

- Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital: Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is designed for individuals between the ages of 6 and 19 years who use a wheelchair to participate in sports. It features tennis, rock-wall climbing, volleyball, and many other activities tailored to individuals' abilities. The grant supported the Family & Friends Day held on Friday, July 20.

- Girl Scouts of Santa Barbara County: La Cumbre Junior High Program helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.

– Parks and Recreation Community (PARC) Foundation: West Beach Wading Pools are open for free swim for youths age 7 or younger through late August providing safe recreational swimming and staffed by city lifeguards.

The Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation, a §501(c)(3) charitable organization, was formed in June 1993 for the charitable, humanitarian and educational purposes. The Sunrise Foundation raises money in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise to fund service projects locally and internationally and fund grants to nonprofit organizations.

The Sunrise Foundation raises funds by asking members and the general public to make annual commitments. In addition, the Sunrise Foundation holds fundraising events such as the 27th Annual Sunrise Rotary Golf Classic which was held on May 21, 2012 and the 41st Annual Old-Time Fiddlers' Convention and Festival is scheduled for October 14, 2012. US federal tax identification number: 91-1752304

The Sunrise Foundation reviewed grant applications received prior to the submission deadline of April 28, 2012. 

Additional grant awards will be presented at subsequent meetings during the summer months.

Photo:  Rich Hanna, Senior Recreation Manager, City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department; David Velarde, President, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise; René Van Hoorn, Recreation Therapist, Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital; Kimberly Coley, Vice President of External Affairs, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast; and Judith McCaffrey, Vice President, Rotary Club of Santa Barbara Sunrise Charitable Foundation.