from the Sonoma Plaza History Project;Tony Passantino from the Sonoma Ecology Center; Madolyn Agrimonti from Sonoma Overnight Support; Terry Leen from American Veterans;
Francie Ward and Marisol Alvarez-Diaz from Sonoma Valley High School.
The Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley has awarded more than $79,000 in grants to nonprofits and educational groups throughout Sonoma Valley during the past 12 months. Rotary club members and grant recipients gathered at a recent club luncheon to commemorate the occasion.
“We’ve been serving Sonoma Valley continuously since 1946, doing what we can to make our community a little bit better for the people who live, work, or visit here,” said Scott Murray, club president. “Our members work hard to raise the money, and when we award the grants, we ensure the money goes as far as possible in the community. We have no administrative costs to pay for, so nothing goes to waste.”
The recent recipients of the club’s grants encompassed a diverse range of initiatives, including funding for Food For Thought to combat food insecurity, a mural celebrating Latinx culture at Sonoma Valley High School, Kid Scoop News subscriptions for elementary school students, summer camp scholarships at the Sonoma Ecology Center, new stoves for the kitchen at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, and a new washer and dryer for Sonoma Overnight Support. Grants also supported a mobile history tour of Sonoma Plaza, costumes for Grupo Folklórico Quetzalen, sports equipment for the Boys & Girls Club and Sonoma Valley United youth soccer, a silk screen printer for youth art programs at the Sonoma Community Center, and construction of a dog run at the Homeless Action Sonoma village.
“These grants reflect the wide range of need here,” said Jim Carruthers, chair of the club’s grants committee. “Our grants are meant to be very accessible to local organizations who deliver direct services to the Sonoma Valley, and funding is based on the proceeds from our Luck of the Irish Raffle.”
“Our grants program typically focuses on nonprofits and schools,” Murray continued. “Additionally, our members donate their time to help Sonoma Valley, such as helping maintain Sonoma Garden Park, removing garbage and debris from Sonoma Creek, helping restore the historic groves at Jack London State Historic Park, and hosting the city’s annual “All American Picnic” on Memorial Day at the Veterans Building.”
The Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley meets at 12 noon on Wednesdays at the Sonoma Golf Club. Visitors are welcome. Contact John Coulston at Johndcoulston@gmail.com to attend.
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