NILES ROTARY 75^TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

Niles Rotary celebrated its 75^th Anniversary on December 1, 2012 at the historic Central Chevrolet showroom in Fremont. Attending the event were about 200 people, including current and former Niles Rotarians, family, friends, as well as three past presidents of Rotary International (Rick King, a member of Niles Rotary, MAT Caparas, and Cliff Dochterman). The showroom was transformed into an elegant party room, with displays of Niles Rotary history and service projects set up in the former sales offices of the showroom. The Fremont Christian School Jazz Band entertained the guests during the social time. Festivities included recognition of all the Niles Rotary past presidents in attendance and a video of favorite Rotary memories. A special event was the presentation of honorary Niles Rotary memberships to widows of Niles Rotarians, including Nina Jacobsohn, Rose Jay, Lois Hill, Shirlee Warren, Shirley Silva, Elinor Smith, and Judy Heyman. The main entertainment of the evening was the keynote speech of Cliff Dochterman, who is always exceptionally entertaining.

The 75^th Anniversary Committee consisted of chair Kimberly Hartz Foster, plus Rose Everndon-Andrade, Larry Bowen, JD Eshelman, Dirk Lorenz, Lisa Lorenz, Bernie Roe, Jeff Roe, and Dan Smith. Fremont Flowers provided the spectacular floral centerpieces and environmental accents.

From: Sandi Pantages

Niles Rotarians translate their service passions in severalways. At the local level, Niles Rotary has done several projects in the pastfew months and on an ongoing basis. The Niles Community Park has been adoptedby Niles Rotary, with park cleanup occurring several times a year, and thefishing docks having been replaced in 2011. In December, Pizza With Santa involves a special party for families with gifts and activities to make a very specialday. Also in December, Niles Rotarians along with Interact and Rotaract membersand Blue Star Moms, pack up boxes for our troops overseas.  Rotarians throughout the communityhelp the Salvation Army with bell ringing in December. Several times a year,Niles Rotarians provide and serve dinner at the Centerville Free Dining Room.

Several international projects are now underway under thedirection of Niles Rotarians. Members of Niles Rotary have traveled to Con Con,Chile to improve the conditions at the Mia Familia orphanage; in addition toproviding a new roof, they have fixed up the orphanage , the playground, andpurchased gifts for the children. In Kenya, medical services have been providedby Niles Rotarians, working with physicians and nurses from the U.S. and inKenya; a project to benefit the Segera Mission is also underway in Kenya. In partnership with the Wheelchair Foundation, Niles Rotary provided acontainer of 280 wheelchairs and medical supplies for Serbia. 

All these projects change lives for the individualsinvolved. Niles Rotary President Sandy Young encourages the NilesRotary Club to “shake things up” and get involved!