Press Release-
For Release: July 13, 2004
President Greg Chappel and the Board of Directors of the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club are pleased to announce that local area Rotary donations through June of 2005 will exceed $53,000. An additional $12,000 will be distributed to various national and international Rotary projects. In celebration of the 100 th anniversary of Rotary International, the largest donation will be the gift of the new Rotary Pavilion to be constructed in Oakhurst Community Park .
The 1200 to 1500 square foot covered pavilion is expected to cost about $35,000 and will include picnic tables and a barbeque. With concept plans announced last fall, preliminary plans have been approved by the Board of Directors with final architectural drawings to be completed by M. Patrice Jensen. R. Papike Construction will supervise the project construction, which will include labor and material donations from Rotarians and local businesses. Groundbreaking is planned for this fall.
To help with the building expense, the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club will sell handcrafted tiles inscribed with the names of businesses, families, or individuals. The tiles will be mounted on the large structural supports for the pavilion. Information on the purchase of tiles will be released within the next 60 days.
The first Rotary donation for the 2004-2005 fiscal year went to the Mountain Area Youth Soccer League (MAYSL). Srini Vasan, MAYSL Treasurer (pictured center), receives a $2,000 Rotary check from club board member Mik Hamley (pictured left) and club president Greg Chappel (pictured right). Serving 650 children and young adults in the mountain area, MAYSL will use the Rotary grant to fund registration fees for economically disadvantaged families and to buy supplies.
School groups receiving grants this year include the Yosemite High School Interact Club, the YHS Music Department, Sober Grad Night, scholarships to Rotary's Camp Royal Leadership Training Program, and several $500 scholarships for YHS graduating seniors. Local elementary schools will also receive grants and new book donations.
Other local nonprofits receiving Rotary grants this year include The Harry H. Baker Boys & Girls Club, Manna House, The Oakhurst Community Concert Band, Madera County Hospice, the Oakhurst Community Center , the Senior Lunch Program, Sierra Mountain Little League, Camp Oakhurst , and other groups who may request funding during the year.
The Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club is the oldest Rotary club in the mountain area, with over 50 members. The Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at the Ol' Kettle Restaurant. Rotary International is the largest service club in the world, with more than 1.2 million members serving in 30,000 clubs in 166 countries. Anyone desiring more information about the Oakhurst Sierra Rotary Club should call Alan Graas at 658-5192.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ALAN GRAAS AT 658-5193
