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Our gathering kicked off with the ever-friendly PP Steve Day giving a warm welcome to all attendees—no doubt the best greeting anyone had all day! Benjamin Fischer took the helm as our meeting’s presiding captain at UCLA’s Hillel, eventually starting things at the mathematically precise time of 12:37 (better late than never, right?).
Bill Roen stepped in for Jim Meyer to lead us through the Pledge, expertly rallying our patriotic spirits. PP Mike Newman delivered the thought of the day—an expertly timed reading of George Washington’s inaugural prayer—reminding us to keep an eye on our leaders to make sure they’re truly working for the people (or at least pretending well).
PP Ed Gauld then treated us to a nostalgic rendition of “I Want a Girl,” because what meeting is complete without a little musical charm?
PP Mark Rogo introduced his guest, the now-seasoned summer intern David Kames, fresh from Germany and well on his way to becoming a Windmill regular.
Announcements flew by almost as fast as the bingo balls will on Sept. 5! Mark your calendars for “Drag me to Bingo,” the Peace Builders event, Dodger Night, and the Rotary Foundation shindig in November—oh, and don’t forget to snag those all-important ‘opportunity’ tickets.
The grand finale of our gathering was an eye-opening presentation by the dynamic husband-and-wife team, Brenda and Gerardo Jaramilla, giving us the scoop on the 2026 Costa Rica Humanitarian Projects. From equipping classrooms with desks to peace education, water aqueducts, mobility support, and all the vital community programs, these projects promise to make a real splash in Costa Rica!
The presentation provided an overview of a collection of humanitarian projects led by Rotary Districts 5280 (USA/California) and 4240 (Costa Rica) for implementation across various Costa Rican communities in 2026. The initiatives, funded through Global Grants and direct contributions, address crucial needs in education, health, community development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure.
Key Projects & Impacts
Education:
- Provision of 500 school desks for Escuela Espana (San Antonio de Belen), supporting 1,000 students.
- English education and digital skills for vulnerable youth in Matina, Bataan, and Limón, with ESL training for students and teachers.
- School supplies and afterschool programs for underprivileged children in Limón.
- Air conditioning upgrades and technical improvements for educational labs in Heredia.
- Scholarships for MiFi internet devices, benefiting 20 low-income students.
Healthcare & Wellness:
- Wheelchair distribution in Heredia to benefit 240 individuals from 60 families.
- Equipment upgrades for neonatal and pediatric services in the Hospital San Carlos (Huetar Norte region).
- Donation of gait trainers for students with disabilities in Heredia.
- Medical equipment for Southern Costa Rica health centers.
- Traffic surface repairs for EBAIS Clinic, improving healthcare access for 31,400 residents.
Water & Agriculture:
- Water system rehabilitation for the Yorkin Bribri community.
- Aqueduct construction for eight communities in Guanacaste, serving 2,289 people.
- Equipment for the Santa Barbara de Heredia Farmer’s Market to support sustainable agriculture for 2,475 people directly.
Community Development & Social Impact:
- Peace education in Tibas, impacting over 2,500 individuals.
- La Sabana Metropolitan Park upgrades, improving safety and accessibility for over 100,000 residents.
- Installation of ecological urinals and water pumps for CEDES Don Bosco School, aiding water conservation.
- Youth van purchase for Garabito, supporting sports, education, and family activities.
- English conversational classes for 100 youth athletes in Garabito.
- Violence prevention programs in Chacarita/El Huerto, benefiting 150 children and families.
Women & Vulnerable Groups:
- Support for female cancer survivors via dragon boating (Garabito).
- Equipment of community rooms for programs aiding women at risk (San José Rotary).
- National “Stop the Bleed” campaign to train 500,000 citizens in emergency bleeding control.
Other Initiatives:
- Playground installation for preschoolers (Belen).
- Support for Red Cross ambulance equipment in Moravia (Heredia Rotary).
Funding & Participation
Clubs may support these projects through donations or by serving as a lead club for Global Grants. All funding is managed by Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation, with provisions for reallocating funds if a chosen project is fully funded.
For commitment and donations, clubs are requested to submit forms and payments to Rotary District 5280 by October 15, 2025.
Questions and comments included a hearty endorsement by Christine for the R-Superman shirts as a way to bridge the Rotary mission to the younger generation. The fact is that the humanitarian trip is actually sold out, but if you are willing to find your own way to Cost Rica, you might still be able to participate in the events if you contact the event organizers.
Lastly, the club had a moment of reflection for our dear friend and Rotarian, John O’Keefe, who is resting at home after surgery. The members had a moment of silence to provide our best hopes and prayers to John and his family.
To make up for the late start President Ben adjourned the meeting with 3 minutes to spare in our allotted time.
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