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NEWSLETTER: August 2016
In this issue:
Crowdfunding Campaign
Help GRPC maintain the cleanest place to play in the South Bay!
With over 213,000 visitors since May 2015, the Rotary PlayGarden needs lots of TLC so we have launched a campaign to fund operations and maintenance.
Click here to pledge your support.
Summer Learning
Boys & Girls Club members from the Alum Rock, Smythe, and Levin clubhouses joined us for a week each in July for a half-day camp. Activities included geocaching, bike riding, and learning about the river environment, animals, and food production. Many thanks to our neighbors at Trader Joe's for providing behind-the-scenes tours that complemented the lesson in the Historic Orchard on pollination and propagation. Thanks too to the David & Lucile Packard Foundation for underwriting the cost of this program.
Now Hiring
Education Coordinator Cindy Moreno (right) is leaving us next month to join the Peace Corps, and Luana Rivera Palacio (left) will take on the coordinator role. We are seeking someone with staff management, event planning, and marketing experience for the full-time assistant position. If interested, please send an email to jobs@grpg.org to receive a job description.
Pumpkins in the Park
Save the date! Pumpkins in the Park returns to Discovery Meadow Saturday, October 8th from 10 am to 4 pm. Free admission!
We need volunteers Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. For more information or to sign up, click here.
Family Adventure Packs
Just provide a photo ID with an address and you can check out an adventure pack from the Rotary PlayGarden attendant at no charge. Adventure packs have a GPS, bug catcher, two pairs of binoculars, magnifying glass, and several bug and animal ID guides. Follow a pre-set tour or pick any of the Points of Interest that are pre-loaded on the GPS. Packs can be checked out until 5:00 pm and must be returned by 6:00 pm. Many thanks to the Lennox Foundation for underwriting this free family activity.
Volunteer Corner
We partnered with Major League Soccer, San Jose Earthquakes, and Wells Fargo to remove debris from Guadalupe River as part of the MLS All-Star Day of Service. Lucky Boys & Girls Club members from the Alum Rock clubhouse got to meet the MLS volunteer team (see banner photo at top).
Cisco joined us to spruce up the Rotary PlayGarden entry as part of their Summer Day of Service.
A hearty thanks to all the volunteer groups that toiled to make GRPG a more beautiful place this past June:
California San Jose Mission
Cisco Systems
Creekside School
Friends of Children with Special Needs
Google
GoPro
Hope Services
Intel Corporation
Intelsat
Mission Bay
Morgan Autism Center
National Charity League
Sensiba San Fillipo
Stanford Medical Youth Science Program
And that is only the groups! We also appreciate the scores of individuals who come out weekly to make a difference. We logged over 2,356 volunteer hours in June.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunties
- Rose Garden Workdays
Weds. and Sats. 8:30-11:30 am. More info.
- Historic Orchard Volunteer Workday
Sat. September 3rd, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Monthly River Cleanup
Sat. August 20th, 8:30-11:30 am. Sign up.
- Summer Rose Garden Deadheading
Tues. August 9th, 5:30-7:30 pm. Sign up.
Meet Volunteer Vibha Arun
 Vibha is a talented high school student who served as a summer intern with our education staff. Three days a week, she helped with field trips, Boys & Girls Club summer camp, and other tasks around the office. Not one to sit idle, Vibha also volunteers for Acterra at the Pearson-Arastadero Preserve in Palo Alto. When not out volunteering, you will find Vibha working on nature photography. Everyone at GRPC enjoyed Vibha and is grateful for all that she did for us. |
