Article - Ohlone College Foundation
Tri-Cities Rotaries honored by Ohlone Foundation
By Wes Bowers.
Thursday, May 26, 2011—Reprinted from Mercury News.
Each year Ohlone College Foundation honors a citizen, organization or community group for their contribution to the community, both at the college and at large.
This year's recipient is not one person, not a group or organization, but a handful of groups associated under the Rotary banner, namely six Rotary clubs from the Tri-City area to be lauded at the annual Citizen of the Year Luncheon June 4.
The clubs include the Fremont, Mission San Jose, Niles, and Warm Springs Rotaries, as well as the Newark and Union City Rotaries.
Dave Smith, Ohlone College Foundation president, said one of the major factors in choosing the six Tri-Cities Rotaries is the organization's motto "Service Above Self."
"I think that speaks for itself," Smith said. "It's just about everything in terms of what they do."
Smith said Rotary clubs, all part of Rotary International, are very philanthropic throughout the Tri-Cities area.
"They try to help out in communities or countries that aren't as well off as we are," Smith said. "And we thought that was a great characteristic for a citizen of the year. I don't think anyone outside of Rotary ever really celebrates them."
One cause Rotary has championed is the eradication of polio throughout the world.
John Blakeley, president of the Warm Springs Rotary, said his club recently raised more than $50,000 toward that mission.
"Obviously we are very pleased to be so honored by any organization but really appreciate recognition by Ohlone, which we have had ties with over the years," Blakely said. "We engage in these human service activities not for recognition but to make the world and our communities a better place. We are truly humbled and grateful to be so honored."
Nina Moore, president of Fremont Rotary, said her club is extremely proud to be honored along with other service clubs in the area at the same time the foundation helps students beyond high school.
"Rotary's motto is 'Service Above Self,' and our members live this code in their commitment to Rotary's local and international projects," she said. "We are honored to stand alongside prior years' honorees, and we are also delighted to be part of this annual luncheon that benefits students pursuing post-secondary education."
Not only will the Ohlone Foundation honor Rotary, but it will also present $115,000 in scholarships to Tri-Cities students looking to advance their college educations.
Smith said $40,000 of that total will be given to select students as part of the foundation's Helping One Student To Succeed program, also known as HOSTS.
Students are sponsored by an array of organizations and residents, who make donations to the HOSTS program. Four students receiving scholarships this year through HOSTS are Ariana Figueroa, Jun Li, Lisa Mann and Connor Smith.
In addition to the foundation awarding scholarships, Smith said each year the Citizen of the Year makes a $1,000 donation to a selected student, who will learn of the additional grant June 4.
The Ohlone Citizen of the Year luncheon will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 4 at the college's Newark campus, 39399 Cherry St. For more information, visit ohlone.edu/foundation/citizenoftheyear.html.
Contact Wes Bowers at wbowers@themilpitaspost.com or 510-661-9920.
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