Projects
We are a very active club in our community and in our world. Here is a partial list of our annual activities.
In our Community: This is a partial list – it continues to grow every year!
Local Projects: This is a partial list – it continues to grow every year!
Mini-Grants
Our club gives $16,000+ in grants to local organizations and schools in our community. Our partner in this project, Livermore Valley Education Foundation, matches our grants to the schools. This is one of our most successful and rewarding projects. Each recipient attends a meeting and speaks about how their grant will be used.
Music Scholarship
For 15 years we have provided scholarships to music students in 8th -12th grade for lessons, camp, instrument rentals, and more. Funding has ranged from as little as $100 up to $1000. Money is raised through music benefit concerts and generous donations.
Reading Project for 3rd Grade
For the past fifteen years every 3rd grade student attending a Livermore public school has received the gift of their own dictionary from the two Rotary Clubs of Livermore and the Hindu Community and Cultural Center. Since the program began more than 13,000 dictionaries have been delivered to Livermore students.
In 2021, the program was changed to provide a book to each student, with the intent that each class of thirds grade students would engage in a book club type of discussion of the book. Students could choose one of three books,
Marylin Avenue School Back to School Night BBQ
Students and familes at Marylin Avenue Elementary School are treated to a picnic-style BBQ during Back-to-School night. Each year we serve between 600-900 meals.
READY Program at Junction Avenue K-8 School
Rotarian Educating And Directing Youth (READY) is a mentoring/tutoring program at Junction Avenue K-8 school. Students are selected by staff and meet with mentors for 2 hours each week in the school library. In addition, students are taken on field trips designed to give them a broader view of the community and the world around them and also to encourage them to think about their futures.
International House Weekend
For more than 50 years our club has partnered with International House at UC Berkeley to provide the opportunity for international students to experience small town California and stay with a typical American family. Students visit landmark institutions in the community and are treated to an old fashioned “Pot Luck Dinner Party”.
Outstanding Educators
Each year, one teacher from each public school in our district and one administrator selected by the Superintendent, is honored at a luncheon held by the club. Recipients receive a photograph, a plaque, and gifts from local organizations.
Students of the Month
Livermore, Del Valle, and Vineyard high schools’ staffs select outstanding students to be honored at a luncheon each month. The students receive a plaque and gifts from local businesses.
Nepalese Orphaned Children Project
Since 1991 our club has supported orphaned children in Kathmandu, Nepal, providing clothing, food, and housing. Additionally, we have supported a clinic near the orphanage and have delivered much needed medicine and equipment to the clinic.
RAVE(Rotary Assisting Veteran’s Education)
RAVE is a much needed charitable program to assist our military veterans attain their educational goals by way of the G.I. Bill of Rights. It is a 501(c)(3) approved non-profit tax-deductable program that is spear-headed by the Livermore Rotary Club. Society has become increasingly more aware, sometimes painfully, that our veterans– men and women who served our country– find themselves at a loss as to be fully informed of their entitlements under the G.I. Bill regarding education.
Reduction of federal financial support has created several problems in this area. A recent federal study found that East Bay Veteran’s affairs takes up to one yearbefore reviewing a Veteran’s file.RAVE’s goal is to extend that effort to see that Veterans attending Las Positas College are properly coun- seled to be enrolled in a G.I. Bill approved academic and vocational program. It is intended that this assistancwill lead veterans to a successful and satisfying ca reer and become productive members of our society.
Las Positas College is steadfast in its support of student veterans and its pledge to provide a comprehensive program that increases opportunities for success in college and beyond.
Click here to donate on the LPCF website. Please be sure to enter RAVE in the box that asks for the program you wish to support.
Youth in Government
Students from our high schools spend a morning job-shadowing local government staff and first-responders to get a first hand look into the City Government operations. They are then invited to lunch at Rotary, where they introduce themselves to the club and are treated to a State of the City program presented by the City Manager.
Career Technical/Vocational Scholarships
Every year two graduating high school seniors are awarded $1000 scholarships to pursue vocational/technical education. Named for Ed Runstrom, a longtime Rotarian and Educator, this scholarship is administered by the Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation on our behalf.
Sunflower Hill
Sunflower Hill is an organization which focuses on children and adults with special needs, primarily on the autism spectrum. They have a community garden where participants plant and harvest vegetables for their own consumption and which are also sold to the public. Our club has built picnic tables for them and helped build a new greenhouse last year.
Other Hands-On Projects
Work projects as needed to build wheel chair ramps, room conversion, yard replacement and other hands-on construction projects.
Our Internationl Projects:
- Three projects are underway in Nicaragua. The goal is to provide clean water and sanitation options to rural communities.
- Technology in the Classroom brought RACHEL to several schools in remote areas of Guatemala. to provide access to a broad range of learning resources with out the need for internet connectivity.
- Medical equipment to emerging countries in Europe
- Housing in Nafsari India
- Nepalese Children
- COANIQUEM – Burned Children Foundation, Santiago, Chile
Rotary International:
- Rotary Foundation
- End Polio Now!
- Clean Water Initiative