Pleasanton North Rotary

The Rotary Club of Pleasanton, CA, urges you to take a few minutes on this day to join us in silent tribute to all past and present members of the U.S. Armed Services, especially those Soldiers, Sailors, Flyers, and Marines who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our nation free.

Pleasanton North Rotary assembled a 14-member crew May 25th for volunteer landscaping duties at Valley Humane Society. Back row from left: PNR President Dave Pitcher, Billy Buckley, Gina Piper, Chase Henley, Debra Covert, Darcy DeCoite, and Larry Carrillo. Front row from left: Casey Hunter, Shawn Henley, Michael Cherman, Annette Lommerin, Dale Carrillo, and Michael Williams (Photo by Jim Brice)

PNR President Dave "Orville" Pitcher challenged the club’s red badgers in early May to complete the nine designated tasks necessary to earn their blue badge and recognition as a full-fledged member of the club. Nick Valenziano, who received his red badge in the vocational category of insurance sales on April 30, needed less than a month to win that race by meeting all the requirements. He earned his blue badge on May 21. His achievement was celebrated with a song, entitled The Legend of Nick’s Blue Badger, written and performed by PNR troubadour and charter member Jim Ott.

The PNR bell made a surprise appearance May 7th to coincide with the club’s first live meeting at Haps Original Steaks & Seafood since the start of the COVID-19 emergency more than a year ago. Club President Dave Pitcher will retain custody until it’s stolen again. https://www.pnr-rotary.org/post/may-7-2021-meeting-recap

How cool is this?

PNR Donates and Dines to Support Firefighters and Fire Relief Pleasanton North Rotary members assembled before their laptops Oct. 22 to participate in an evening-long virtual event that combined fund-raising combined with gourmet meal preparation. Members and guests filled the squares in a ZOOM meeting led by event organizers Darcy DeCoite and Shawn Henley. Contributions generated from on-line auctions were directed to the PNR Foundation for distribution to the American Red C...ross Northern California Fire Relief Fund and units of the Pleasanton/Livermore Fire Department. The fund-raiser was held while many northern California communities were still threatened by wildfires that have killed at least 30 people, burned more than 4.1 million acres, and destroyed 9200 structures. The Red Cross responded by serving more than 425,000 meals and paying for over 250,000 hotel stays. A young couple and their infant child were among victims who lost homes and possessions to the fires. In a video interview played during the fund-raiser, they admitted through tears that they would not have known where to turn for help if the Red Cross had not offered them temporary housing and other assistance. Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department (LPFD) crews were assigned to fire lines for more than two months, often working 24-hour shifts and sleeping in the field. ’These are great people, willing to risk their lives for us, Darcy said after playing a video that PNR Past President Gina Piper and she prepared to document essential work performed by these firefighters. PNR members and guests bid on the right to sponsor 10 baskets filled with food, games, and other popular items for each firehouse in the Livermore/Pleasanton department. The auction item drawing the highest bid of $1500 was a painting on canvas prepared especially for the fundraiser by PNR member Debra Covert. It features a patriotic image of a firefighter holding an axe with an American flag in the background. Framed, historical photos of Pleasanton firefighters and equipment from the past 120 years were also popular. Dinner was a do-it-yourself affair with ingredients and expert video cooking instructions by Chef Francis from Sabio on Main, Pleasanton. Everyone dined on butternut rugosa squash soup and grilled gulf shrimp niçoise salad with Meyer lemon vinaigrette. Wine was provided by Nottingham Cellars.

Las Positas College Foundation has agreed to administer Pleasanton North Rotary (PNR) Foundation’s annual memorial scholarship in the memory of departed PNR past presidents, Dave Cherry, and Ed Golden. The PNR Foundation funded the $500 annual Rotary Club of Pleasanton North David Cherry and Ed Golden Memorial Scholarship in perpetuity with a $12,500 grant from PNR Foundation endowment funds and donations from members, friends, and family. As a long-time PNR member and presi...dent from 2008-2009, Dave was loved for his wit, warmth, and generosity. He was Mr. Big O as manager of Pleasanton Big O Tire Store, a position now held by his son and current PNR member, Josh Cherry. Dave died on April 24, 2017, at the age of 64. Ed led the club from 2015 to 2016 with considerable humor, commitment, and intelligence. As with Dave, he was devoted to causes benefiting veterans, including PNR’s support for the Veterans Memorial at Pleasanton’s Pioneer Cemetery and the biennial East Bay Stand Down for homeless veterans. He died on March 2, 2018, at the age of 51. The scholarship will be awarded to U.S. military veterans attending Las Positas College. The first recipient will be announced in the summer of 2021. For out full article on this please visit our website https://www.pnr-rotary.org//las-positas-college-to-adminis

We decided to have a fun afternoon!

We are hosting a virtual fundraiser benefiting Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department and American Red Cross We are supporting 2 local businesses in the process; Sabio on Main and Nottingham Cellars Come and join us for dinner and wine or just donate if you can.... https://charityauction.bid/pnrfundraiser-firerelief

Attention Rotarians! Join Monday evening.

Happy New Year to our Jewish community!

Pleasanton North Rotary received ShelterBox HERO recognition for Rotary Year 2019-2020. Our club is listed on their HERO page www.shelterboxusa.org/hero ShelterBox recently surpassed 1.6 million people sheltered since 2000, they could not have reached them without clubs like ours. COVID 19 has not stopped their efforts, they have provided aid to over 87,000 people so far in 2020.... We are a ShelterBox HERO! Thank you to our President Dave Pitcher and Past President Tami Hennegan

Rotarians are responsible leaders both socially and ethically. Come and learn about Leadership October 1st - Pleasanton North Rotary is sponsoring an event for Area 4 Rotary. Register here! Only 100 spots!... https://tinyurl.com/area4rotaryPNR

Today we reflect on the tragedy that occurred, remember those who lost their lives, mourn with their loved ones, and honor the first responders who risked their lives that day.

Save the date friends for "100,000 Tons of Leadership" talk with Pleasanton North Rotary! Register here today! https://tinyurl.com/area4rotary

Because the PNR bell needs a night of fun and friends! With enough social distance! We P-Town!