Norwalk Rotary earns awards for service

NORWALK - The Rotary Club of Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs was recently honored with two district awards. 

The competition included 42 other Rotary Clubs in Southern California. Rotary is an International group of 1.2 million business and profession people worldwide who volunteer with Service Above Self to help improve the local community as well as to build goodwill around the world.

Led by past president Randy Jackson, the local club provides funding for local schools and other charities for school supplies, school bands and athletic teams, the business academy and other local projects.  Each year, the Norwalk/SFS club provides four or more $1,000 scholarships to worthy high school students as they go off to colleges and universities. 

For the last 10+ years, the club has also recruited, interviewed and funded 12 or more high school juniors to attend a three-day learning event including seminars, team building, athletic and musical challenges, as well as leadership training at a campground in Idlewild that is presented by Rotary and volunteer Rotarians.  

There is no cost to the students or the parents, all costs are paid by Rotary Club volunteers and their businesses.

The recent award recognizes the club for donations of time and money to provide wrapped gifts at Nuffer Elementary in Norwalk for their Joan Sander Memorial Unit, which is dedicated to the education and care of students with special needs. Randy Jackson and Teri Bazen have spearheaded this worthwhile project at this school which has specialized classes for extremely challenged students.  

Randy has brought a little cheer to these youngsters and their parents by distributing gifts at the Holiday event when he changes from successful (though retired) businessman to Santa Claus.

If you are interested in donating or participating in Rotary, please visit http://santafespringsrotary.org or to find out more about Rotary International, check out www.rotary.org.  

Another strong Rotary motto about volunteerism is: “Those who serve best, profit most.”