Community Service Projects
Gualala Rotary’s goals for 2021-22 were to raise $10,000 to support community service projects as well as local education. By June 30, 2022, we had met our goal.
Roadside Cleanup
Led by Nora Messinger, Rotarians meet one Saturday a month on Old Stage Road (near Bower Park) to do some much-needed roadside clean-up. Contact: Nora at themessingers93@gmail.com
We Happy Road Scavengers:
Project Santa
Gualala Rotary plays a big part in Project Santa, now in its 31st year. Mike Combs handles the accounting and donations. Leslie Tittle organizes the wrapping of presents and transporting them to the proper families. Our other partners are Lions Club and the Soroptomists. Over 200 families receive something to make their holiday just a little bit brighter.
To support Project Santa, send your check, in any amount, to Project Santa, c/o Gualala Rotary, P.O. Box 1166, Gualala, CA 95445. Contact: Mike Combs at mcombs@pacific.net
Story Telling in the Park
Rotarians helped read aloud to small children at a project organized by The Sea Ranch.
Food Bank Distribution
Want to help with food distribution to those in need? The Redwood Empire Food Bank distributes once a month at Gualala Point Park on the last Wednesday of the month from 10 am-12 noon. 42401 Hwy 1, Gualala. Use the link below to sign-up:
In the past…
Ethics in Business Award: the Sea Ranch Supply
Gualala Rotary nominated the Sea Ranch Supply for a District Rotary “Ethics in Business Award” and they were chosen from among 70 entries from Northern California as one of three finalists. Sea Ranch Supply was noted for its open communication about its COVID protocols, and putting the health of their employees and customers first. .
Surf Super’s 65th Anniversary
In October 2021, Surf Super celebrated its 65th anniversary with surprise checks of $6500 to several local organizations, including Gualala Rotary. Their generosity will go to our Scholarship programs. Thank you, Surf Super!
And pre-Covid shutdown…
Employee of the Month Program 2019
Cliff Putnam and Teresa Zettler
To strengthen our community, each month in 2019 Gualala Rotary honored an outstanding employee who lives and works on the Redwood Coast. (Due to COVID, our program was in hiatus in 2020 and 2021.) Those selected were honored at one of our monthly evening dinners, accompanied by a $100 “thank-you” check.
Employees of the Month 2019
| Jan Bastian | Gualala Super Market |
| Eileen Buell | The Physical Gym |
| Javier Chavez | Action Network |
| Ramona Mariscal | Point Arena Elementary |
| Mary McCann | Sea Ranch Lodge |
| Shasta Rasmussen | Point Arena High School |
| Rick Rogers | Gualala Post Office |
| Evan Ruczak | Jr.’s Home & Auto |
| Amanda Sanchez | The Ranch Cafe |
| Jesus Sanchez | Surf Super Market |
| Nicole Sanchez | Gualala Hotel |
| Norma Zamora | Housekeeper |
| Theresa Zettler | RCMS |
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| Marty Trieb and Jesus Sanchez | Rick Rogers and Jim DeWilder |
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| Amanda Sanchez and Jim DeWilder | John Rickards and Mary McCann |
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| Rich Hughes and Shasta Rasmussen | Scott Carson and Ramona Mariscal |
Art in the Redwoods
In August of each year, Gualala Rotary directs throngs of traffic into and out of Gualala Arts Center for their annual, multi-day Art In The Redwoods.