San Mateo Rotarians gathered for our weekly meeting amidst the Beresford Park sunbeams to enjoy a BBQ lunch together with students and staff from the Effect - the Hillsdale, CSM, Namaste, and SM Rotary collaboration to support microcredit loans for Guatemalan women.
Thanks to Shawn DeLuna's impressive BBQ acumen, Rotarians & Effecters enjoyed gargantuan juicy hamburgers, a variety of sausages & hot dogs, scrumptious salads, and two delectable dessert trays filled with cookies, brownies, strawberries & grapes. A meal that should last us all until our next Tuesday meeting!
Greg Lance shared an update and several data points to demonstrate the Effect's impact in Guatemala:
The Effect is now 16 years old
$122,000 has been raised since 2007 for microcredit loans
This year the Penny Wars raised $8,000
17 students will be visiting Guatemala this summer
Following Greg's remarks, students shared their reasons for joining the effort and their plans for visiting Guatemala this summer. Don Leydig announced there may be a chance for Rotarians to go to Guatemala next March for a first-hand look at the impact of the microcredit loans. Stay tuned for details!
Loralei and Anika eagerly collected donations from Rotarians and in exchange gave out tickets for an assortment of prizes.
Oscar jumped at the chance to enjoy the sunshine and hosted two guests, Alana & Lily, from Notre Dame High School. They're interested in starting an Effect program at Notre Dame!
As the tantalizing smell of hamburgers on the grill wafted over the crowd, President Dick welcomed everyone to the BBQ, thanking all those who helped organize and stage the event.
What would a Rotary BBQ be without Shawn's grilling skills put to work? He's a true wizard of the grill! The variety of options were a big hit with hungry Rotarians , especially the hefty hamburgers!
The dessert trays did not disappoint! Thanks to Michelle for making sure everyone got a sugar high for the afternoon by hospitably visiting each table with an amazing assortment of goodies!
The Effect students posed for a group photo. Although the Pandemic interrupted the Effect's work, it's great to see everyone back and enthusiastic about continuing to support Guatemalan women & families.
Greg Lance and Sarah Press provided an update on the Effect's plans to visit Guatemala this summer and on the advent of a new Effect at UC Santa Barbara - founded by Hillsdale/Middle College Effect alums.
Don Leydig, one of the founders of the Effect, reminded President Dick that fund-raising tickets were still available for purchase. Looks like Don cleaned out his piggy bank!
An appreciative Rotary shout-out to Dave Bennett who helped plan the menu and secured all the provisions for such a delicious and enjoyable Beresford BBQ! Let's do it again next year!
