Danville San Ramon Rotary Newsletter | | | | Get Ready to Bid for a Cause! Auction for Education Opens November 1! | | |
The countdown is on! The Danville San Ramon Rotary Club's 2026 Online Auction for Education runs November 1–9, bringing our community together to support education and lifelong learning. We're proud to partner once again with the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation (SRVEF) for this exciting annual fundraiser!
This year's auction features an incredible selection of restaurant gift cards, golf outings, wine tastings, unique experiences, family activities, professional services, and more. It's the perfect opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping while supporting a great cause!
There's still time to help! Auction item donations are being accepted through October 25. Reach out to your favorite businesses and encourage friends and family to participate.
Ready to bid? Visit our auction website to register as a new bidder or sign in to your existing account to make sure your information is current, including an updated credit card on file. Then start browsing the catalog and get ready to bid on November 1!
Mark your calendars, spread the word, and bid early and often. Together, we're making a difference through education!
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Browse the Auction | Donate an Item | Become a Sponsor
Questions or have a donation idea? Reach out at auction@danvillesanramonrotary.org.
All proceeds from this event will be directed exclusively to educational programs and initiatives that create meaningful, measurable impact for all learners, regardless of age, and foster lifelong learning.
| | Making a Difference at Bounty Garden | |
Danville San Ramon Rotarians joined forces with Diablo Valley College students and the Bounty Garden Foundation for a multi-day community service project!
During our final workday, volunteers assembled and installed five planter bed enclosures, attached 30 window trims, and tested removable windows—all in just over two hours!
Special thanks to Community Service Chair Allen Mueller for coordinating our participation, the Diablo Woodworkers Club for their preparation and precise instructions, and all the volunteers who contributed their time and talents.
We're especially excited about our new volunteer partnership with Diablo Valley College! Other teams will complete the remaining enclosures, with a garden dedication planned for spring.
Located at Hap Magee Park in Danville, The Bounty Garden is a volunteer-run nonprofit that grows fresh, organic produce for local food banks, helping fight food insecurity while promoting sustainable gardening practices.
Rotary People of Action at work!
| Our Lasting Partnership with Trinity Center | |
On September 24, Danville San Ramon Rotarians visited Trinity Center in Walnut Creek, continuing a partnership dating back to 2012.
Trinity Center provides essential services to adults experiencing homelessness and poverty, including meals, showers, clothing, housing assistance, and employment support, helping individuals work toward stability and self-sufficiency.
During the visit, Rotarians toured the facility, delivered donated clothing and other items, and distributed Target gift cards.
Over the years, Rotary has supported computers, transportation, gift cards, and most recently, a computer lab offering technology and financial literacy training and job development resources.
Special thanks to Rotarian Elaine Schroth for coordinating this meaningful visit!
| | Community Grant Applications - Deadline October 31st! | | |
The Danville San Ramon Rotary Foundation is now accepting applications for its Fall Community Grant Cycle. Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving residents of Contra Costa or Alameda County are encouraged to apply.
Grants typically range from $1,500 to $2,500 and are intended to support one-time projects or unique opportunities with specific, measurable community impact. Projects that offer hands-on opportunities for Rotarians are especially encouraged.
Know a nonprofit that could benefit? Please share this opportunity!
👉 Click here to review the guidelines and apply
| | Supporting Public Education in Our Valley | |
We proudly supported local schools by participating in the San Ramon Valley Education Foundation's Run for Education on October 11. One team of Rotarians volunteered as course monitors along the 10K route, while another hosted a lively booth at the Expo for Education and connected with thousands of enthusiastic participants.
Guests enjoyed complimentary coffee, kids played our popular prize drop game, and we spread the word about our upcoming Online Auction for Education. We also connected with community members interested in learning more about Rotary.
A great day of community engagement, teamwork, and support for public education in our valley!
| Serving Meals at GLIDE Memorial Church | |
On September 19, Danville San Ramon Rotarians traveled to San Francisco to volunteer at GLIDE Memorial Church, an organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity.
Our volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help prepare and serve lunch, bus tables, assist with cleanup, and create a warm, welcoming environment for those receiving meals.
This hands-on service opportunity gave our members a chance to work together while supporting GLIDE's mission of providing food, compassion, and essential services to those in need.
Another great example of Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self—making a difference beyond our local community!
| | Elaine Wong Eakin & Mark Kramer - New Member Profiles | | |
Elaine discovered her present career unexpectedly through volunteering. Between jobs in 2005, she volunteered as a Medicare benefits counselor and, a few months later, was hired by the non-profit that trained her because they needed all-hands-on-deck to educate the public about Medicare Part D, the Medicare prescription drug program that started in 2006.
Elaine has helped people with Medicare in various capacities, including as Executive Director of California Health Advocates. Currently, as an independent licensed agent and Registered Social Security Analyst, she helps people navigate Medicare and Social Security to access and optimize their benefits.
Elaine is a city girl at heart. Born and raised in Singapore, she lived in New York City for 20 years, during which she earned her BA from Cornell University and JD from Pace Law School. Moving to the West Coast, she helped start a local food pantry with three other women at St. John’s in San Francisco. She presently volunteers at a local food pantry in Castro Valley.
A foodie at heart, Elaine appreciates the Bay Area's rich food culture. She and her husband enjoy solving puzzles like Sudoku and Even Exchange while listening to music of diverse genres, including rock and pop, jazz, classical, bossa nova, and disco.
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Mark Kramer is a retired Commercial Insurance Broker whose 44-year career in the insurance industry included roles as a broker, Risk Management professional with a large technology company in Silicon Valley, and Marketing executive with a major insurance company in San Francisco. He earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations and holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Mark and his wife, Christine, have called San Ramon home since 1998. They have two adult children, both of whom live in San Francisco.
Giving back to the community has become an important part of Mark’s life. He currently volunteers with the Meals on Wheels Friendly Visitor program, supports a family in his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin, and is a member of the Elks Lodge in Walnut Creek. He has also served as a Board Member for the Center for Early Intervention on Deafness and is a graduate of Leadership San Francisco.
Outside of his community involvement, Mark enjoys cycling, pickleball, travel, gardening, music, and attending concerts. He especially enjoys bringing family and friends together for dinner and maintaining connections to his hometown of Racine.
| | | Rotary Home Team Helps Local Seniors with Home Repairs | | |
On September 26, the Danville San Ramon Rotary Home Team worked hard to help local seniors with minor home repairs and maintenance projects.
Our volunteers visited six homes, tackling everything from drywall patching and shower door adjustments to landscaping and other household projects. These small repairs can make a big difference in helping seniors maintain safe, comfortable homes.
Thank you to the eight Rotarians, two Interact students, and additional community volunteers who generously gave their time and skills.
This hands-on service project is a wonderful example of Rotary's commitment to helping our neighbors and making a meaningful difference right here in our community!
| | Community Service Opportunities | | |
Sunflower Hill - Saturday, October 31st, 9 am to 12 noon
Get your hands dirty at Sunflower Hill and help with gardening projects that support programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Enjoy a rewarding morning of fresh air, teamwork, and making a difference!
🔗 Sign Up Here
Thanksgiving Food Boxes - Food Pick Up - Saturday, November 7, 11 am to 1 pm
Help Allen Mueller transport food from Pittsburg to his home to prepare for next Friday’s Thanksgiving box packing. Contact Allen at allen.mueller@cbnorcal.com or 925-406-9455 to lend a hand!
Thanksgiving Food Boxes
Packing: Friday, November 13, 6 to 8 pm
Delivery: Saturday, November 14, 11 am to 12 noon
Please join your fellow club members, family and friends to help pack food boxes. We will work in teams to accomplish our goal, and will aim to pack over 200 boxes in the same time it took us to pack 145 last year. We can do it!
🔗 Sign Up Here
Home Team - Saturday, December 5 from 8:30 to 11:30 am
Join fellow Rotarians and volunteers to help local seniors stay safe and comfortable at home through small repairs, yard work, and other helpful tasks. No special skills are needed, just a willing heart, a helping hand, and a little time to make a difference!
🔗 Sign Up Here
Adopt a Family
Wrap Gifts: Friday, December 18 (time TBD)
Delivery: Saturday, December 19, 11 am to noon
Help spread holiday cheer through our Adopt a Family project benefiting Shelter Inc.! Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts and deliver them the following day to Shelter Inc.
Sign-up details coming soon!
These opportunities highlight Rotary’s commitment as People of Action—showing up, lending a hand, and making a tangible impact close to home.
| | Peace Building Through Rotary Workshop | | |
What does it take to build communities where people can truly thrive? Join us Saturday, November 7, from 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Roundhouse Market & Conference Center in San Ramon for a free, interactive Positive Peace Workshop.
Led by Rotary peacebuilding leaders Suzanne Bragdon and Traci Perry, participants will explore the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace, practical tools for community projects, and ways to become a Rotary Peacebuilder.
| Rotarians and non-Rotarians are welcome! Learn more and reserve your spot through our SignUpGenius link. | | Speaker Calendar: Don't Miss Out! | | October Rotary International Theme: Economic and Community Development | |
Creating opportunities. Strengthening communities. Changing lives.
October is Rotary's Economic and Community Development Month, a time to recognize how Rotarians around the world help individuals and families build brighter, more sustainable futures.
Rotary believes that lasting change begins with opportunity. Through The Rotary Foundation, Rotarians support projects that empower people to develop skills, create jobs, grow businesses, and achieve financial independence.
Rotary's efforts focus on four key areas:
- Empowering entrepreneurs by providing training, resources, and support to help small businesses and local economies thrive.
- Creating opportunities for meaningful employment through vocational training, education, and skills development.
- Reducing poverty by helping underserved communities build sustainable livelihoods and achieve greater economic stability.
- Investing in future leaders through scholarships and professional development opportunities focused on economic and community development.
By investing in people and strengthening local economies, Rotary helps create lasting improvements that benefit families and communities for generations.
Together, we are creating opportunities and building stronger communities—one life at a time.
To learn more about the Rotary Foundation click here.
| | Help Us Spread the Word About Danville San Ramon Rotary! | |
One of the easiest ways every member can support our club is by simply engaging with the content we’re already sharing. When you like, comment on, or share one of our posts, you help more people see the incredible work our club is doing - from service projects and community events to member and Interact student spotlights. Small actions can make a big difference!
Take a few minutes to make sure you’re following our club on Instagram and Facebook, and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel. When you see a Rotary post in your feed, give it a like, leave a meaningful comment, or share it with your network.
Together, we can help more people discover Rotary's impact!
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Meetings are held at Roundhouse Conference Center
2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon
| | Meetings are held on Tuesdays from 12:00 to 1:15 PM. No meetings on the 5th Tuesday of the month. | |
10/20 - Club Meeting
10/27 - Club Meeting
11/3 - Club Meeting
11/7 - Rotary Peace Workshop, 8:30 to 11:30 am
11/10 - Club Meeting
11/17 - Club Meeting
11/24 - DARK - Thanksgiving week
12/1 - Club Meeting
12/8 - DARK - no meeting
12/15 - Club Meeting
12/22 - DARK - Winter Holiday
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We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
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