Joint Rotary Club Int'l Effort Garners Rotary Foundation Award

Rotary Santa Maria South, in cooperation with the Rotary Clubs of Santa Maria, Nipomo and Bahia de la Paz, spearheaded concept and development of a joint grant application to support junior high attendance by at-risk La Paz sixth graders from the Escuela (School) Primaria (Primary) Diana Laura Reyes. The $6000 contributions by participating club were leveraged to $25,000 with the funding and grant approval received for the joint effort by The Rotary Foundation. Funds will begin flowing July 1, 2013 and will cover student uniforms, shoes and backpacks, as well as professional development for teachers and school technology enhancements such as computers and internet services. The five year joint club initiative is especially pleasing to The Rotary Foundation, as it is in the process of transitioning its world-wide grant programs to a model that will require more collaboration and sustainability.