Rotary Club of Sierra Madre Honors Veterans at Annual Program
The Rotary Club of Sierra Madre held its annual Veterans Day breakfast and program at Sierra Madre Middle School on November 5. This event is a meaningful tradition that celebrates the service and sacrifices of local veterans and gives students the opportunity to learn firsthand about the dedication of those who have served our country in the military. Over 20 veterans representing every branch of the United States military attended the program and were warmly greeted by students. The veterans and others in attendance were honored with a stirring performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by the Sierra Madre Middle School Band, creating a powerful moment of unity and respect.
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This year’s program featured an interview conducted by Steven Ford, a former history teacher at San Marino High School and a respected figure in the community. The interviewee for the event was Glenn Lambdin, a Sierra Madre native whose life of service both in the military and in the local community is a testament to his unwavering commitment and patriotism. Glenn served in the United States Air Force from 1974 to 1980, rising to the rank of Sergeant (E-4) before receiving an honorable discharge. After his time in the military, Glenn continued his public service by serving as a City Council member for Sierra Madre from 1998 to 2002, and held the position of mayor during the year 2001-2002. His lifelong dedication to both his country and his community made him a fitting honoree for this special occasion.
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The event was introduced by Rob Stockly, former mayor of Sierra Madre, retired history teacher, and current President of the Sierra Madre Rotary Club. Rob shared with the students the rich history and significance of Veterans Day, encouraging them to take a moment to reflect on the meaning of the holiday. He urged the eighth graders to read and reflect upon President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address during their Veterans Day holiday, reminding them of the profound sacrifices made by the men and women who served to protect our freedom.
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This annual event serves not only to honor veterans but also to inspire the next generation to appreciate the sacrifices made by those who have served in the military and to carry forward the values of service, dedication, and community.
SMRC is Committed to Eradicating Polio
The Rotary Club of Sierra Madre is proud to announce its donation of $600 to support
World Polio Day on Thursday, October 24. This day serves as an important opportunity
to raise awareness and resources for the global effort to eradicate polio.
Rotary International, alongside Rotarians worldwide, will use this occasion to highlight
the current state of polio eradication efforts and outline the necessary steps to achieve a
lasting world free of polioviruses. This year is particularly significant due to the recent
outbreak of variant poliovirus type 2 in Gaza. This situation emphasizes that as long as
polio exists anywhere, all countries remain at risk. However, the response to this
outbreak has also demonstrated a remarkable global commitment. In September and
October, two rounds of vaccination campaigns reached over half a million children in
Gaza, delivering the lifesaving polio vaccine and other health interventions despite
immense challenges.
World Polio Day this year is not just a moment to celebrate progress; it is a call to
rekindle support and commitment at all levels to finish the job of eradicating polio once
and for all. There are no technical, medical, or biological barriers preventing the end of
polio. The only requirement is to ensure that every last un- or under-vaccinated child is
reached.
To donate, go to http://www.rotary.org and choose Polio Plus Fund
Sierra Madre Rotary Awards 2024-2025
Community Grants
Sierra Madre, CA –The Rotary Club of Sierra Madre is thrilled to announce the recipients of its first community grants for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. In line with our motto, “Service Before Self,” we are delighted to support projects that further education and enhance civic engagement within our community.
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The awarded grants for this cycle are:
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Bear Lovers of Sierra Madre: Funding will support a community awareness campaign aimed at educating residents on how to safely cohabitate with local bears, fostering a harmonious relationship between wildlife and the community.
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Sierra Madre Middle School Library: A grant has been allocated to enhance the school library’s collection, focusing on purchasing books and implementing an incentive program encouraging students to engage in reading by choice and to develop a lifelong love of literature.
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Sierra Madre Middle School Arts Program: The arts teacher at SMMS will receive funding to implement a new printmaking program, providing students with hands-on experience in artistic expression and creativity.
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This year marks the revival of our community mini-grant program made possible by funds raised through the generous support of local businesses and residents who sponsored the 2024 Rotary Community Book. We are accepting applications for grants of up to $1,000 throughout the year, with awards scheduled quarterly. The application and criteria are available here.
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“We are incredibly happy to provide these grants making a meaningful difference in our community,” said Lynne Young, Rotary Grant Committee Chairman. “Supporting education and civic projects is at the heart of what Rotary stands for, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to the Community Book. Together, we are empowering our residents and enriching our community.” The Sierra Madre Rotary Club invites all residents to stay engaged as we continue to seek opportunities to positively impact our community.
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The Sierra Madre Rotary Club is a local chapter of Rotary International, dedicated to community service, promoting peace, and supporting education. Our members work collaboratively to make a positive impact in Sierra Madre and beyond, living by our core values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. For more information about the Sierra Madre Rotary Club contact us at sierramadrerotaryclub@gmail.com.
Remembering September 11th
The Rotary Club of Sierra Madre proudly joined the SM Fire and SM Police to remember and honor those who served our Nation on September 11, 2001.
Sierra Madre Rotary Club Celebrates Sierra Madre Day
Sierra Madre Rotary helped to kick off the Sierra Madre Day events by joining with the Sierra Madre Civic Club to serve breakfast burritos at the SM Fire Department.
We thank 355 Burger for providing the burritos and the City of Sierra Madre for planning this day to celebrate our fabulous community.
The Sierra Madre Rotary Club Shows Appreciation To Local Educators With Its Annual Back-To-School Lunch
In keeping with one of Rotary’s service to the community traditions, on August 15 club members served lunch to the Sierra Madre Elementary and Middle School educators as they worked hard to prepare for the start of the 2024-25 school year.
In addressing the over 70 teachers as they enjoyed a full tostada lunch, Rotary President Robert Stockly (pictured) commented “Rotary supports six causes to improve people’s lives and build better community and international relationships, and one of those is supporting education and literacy. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self, so it’s particularly appropriate for our members to bring lunch to show our appreciation and esteem for educators who live that same motto everyday”.
Sierra Madre Rotary has enjoyed a long-time relationship with both the local public schools and private schools working with administrators to support the superior academic environment they provide for the youth of our community. We thank our local educators and wish them a successful school year.
Rotary Club of Sierra Madre Gives Back To Our Community
The Sierra Madre Rotary Club was pleased to present the 2023-24 President’s Project Award of $1,000 to the Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society. The donation was accepted by Leslie and Barry Ziff at our August 6 breakfast meeting.
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Supporting local organizations who preserve and promote our town's rich history is a core part of the Sierra Madre Rotary mission. The Sierra Madre Historical Preservation Society plays a vital role in keeping our community’s stories alive and maintaining historical properties such as Lizzie’s Trail Inn and The Richardson House. We are proud to contribute to their efforts. To learn more about the SMHPS and how you can help visit their website at www.smhps.org.
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Thank you to all our members and supporters for making this donation possible. Together, we continue to strengthen the bonds of our community and ensure that our shared history is preserved for future generations.
