MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Rotary Club of Lake Arrowhead is to

provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance

world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its

fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders

and the advancement of community understanding and

support to those in need throughout our district’s

communities, schools, colleges and other citizen-devoted

Facilities.

THE FOUR-WAY TEST

Of the things we think, say or do

First:

Is it the TRUTH?

Second:

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Third:

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER

FRIENDSHIPS?

Fourth:

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

When people say that Rotarians give blood, sweat, and tears, they aren’t kidding.  Twice per year, the San Bernardino County Blood Bank bus makes an appearance in Lake Arrowhead or Blue Jay, where willing residents and many Rotarians give their own blood to make sure that emergency supplies are up to date for local area hospitals.

Because of our location in the mountains, we are particularly vulnerable to being cut off from the communities below in the event of a major earthquake. That’s why we support the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and their efforts to make sure that residents are prepared with a plan that will allow them to survive the first 5 days following a quake, or any other type of major disaster.

Being a Senior can sometimes be a lonely existence.  Well, that’s not true when the members of the Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club get involved. Lake Arrowhead Rotary treated the Seniors, at a local senior residence to some fun and dancing with the help of Rim High School Rotary Interact members.  There was a lunch provided at the Christmastime get together, catered by local restaurants and served by the Interacters. The dancing followed.   Both the Seniors and teenagers had so much fun that the dancing was continued on Valentine’s Day.  We wonder how many fires were kindled in those Senior hearts.  Maybe next year we’ll find out.

Although the Rotary Art & Wine Festival has been the signature fund-raising event of the noontime Rotary Club for the past 30 years, our PolaRotary Jump into Lake Arrowhead has become a close second in community awareness and involvement. Both of these events pull out all the stops to provide fun, entertainment, laughter, and general lightheartedness to everyone who attends.

We all know it’s not just for fun. The business of fund-raising is serious, as it provides Rotary with a way to help the community needs. But, if it wasn’t for the interest and generosity of those who come from far and near each year, neither of these events would be as much fun and as successful as they are.

Sometimes, Rotary work is right out there in front of everyone’s eyes. And, then, sometimes, it’s almost invisible, like when we do our roadside cleanup along Highway 18. Who notices a cleaner highway while zooming along at 50 mph under a flawless blue sky? We think that everyone does, at least subliminally, and we notice. We notice that things not only look a little better, but we notice that our outlook is brighter too, living in a community where trash is truly put in its place.

There’s just no words that can describe the feelings that come from the annual Rotary involvement in “Rebuilding Together”. Many in our community are elderly, or physically impaired, and living on fixed incomes. They simply can’t keep up with the maintenance required on homes in a 4-season community like ours. Rebuilding Together brings tradesmen, generous donations, and willing Rotarian workers to make those repairs, to bring properties back to good condition and acceptable appearance. At the same time, Rotarians help bring the community back together as a “giving” entity, helping those who simply can no longer help themselves.

The fight for the cure to MS is carried on by many.  This includes Rotarians from around the world.  The Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club helps to raise money through its members’ participation in local MS fund-raising events, such as the MS Walk in Big Bear.  

Our Rotarians walk as part of another local community service group, Rim of the World Comfort Pets. They have animals that help provide therapy to nursing homes, special education students and hospitals, anywhere a pet can bring comfort.

Mutual help by members of both groups brings more strength and greater success to our community service efforts.

Rotarians raising awareness and money at the Crestline Family Picnic, July 4, 2012. Hugh & his son, Gavin for Save Our Forest; Jack & Lynne Winsten for Children's Health International Projects. The Historical Society and Touch of Home were also represented

Helping
Build Community Awareness

Dave and Eleanor Hansen are the driving force behind “Water For Kenya”, a Rotary-based solution for bringing fresh water, improved sanitation, and better health to the people of Kenya.

There’s more information at www.WaterForKenya.org

Improving the lives of people around the world

Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club members participate in another “Thousand Smiles” project in Mexico with Rotarians from D5330, LA 5, Hollywood, the San Diego area and Ensenada.

Jack Winsten’s wife, Lynne, made and donated colorful blankets for the children.

Thousand Smiles Project in Mexico