Community Involement

By Jo-Ann "Sockolov" Byrne

I am privileged to be a member of the Peninsula Sunrise Rotary Club, which is comprised of community leaders dedicated to humanitarian projects. The promotion of peace, health and well-being has been the mission of Rotary International for over 105 years.

The Peninsula Sunrise Rotary is launching its first annual CWENCH event on November 3, 2012 at Sparky's Hot Rod Garage at 875 Industrial Rd., Suite B, in San Carlos. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to support our H2Open Doors Project.

The mission of H2OpenDoors is to bring clean, safe drinking water to people across the globe. Charitable donations and proceeds from fundraising events all go toward the purchase of SunSpring microbiological water purifiers. H2OpenDoors also collaborates with at-risk high school students in Redwood City, integrating the project's humanitarian mission into the curriculum and giving a hands-on, impactful learning experience. The two students who demonstrate mastery of the curriculum will accompany the Rotary installation team to Thailand in February 2013.

Please click on this amazing video to learn more:

http://vimeo.com/45999981

Early Childhood Learning and Parent Support and Engagement are Crucial to a Child's Future Success

I am privileged to sit on the Advisory Board at Family Connections. Family Connections provides free preschool education for low income families throughout San Mateo County and empowers children and their parents to learn, grow, and dream. The vision at Family Connections is to foster the potential of our community's youngest at-risk children and their families by giving them the skills to succeed and the confidence to have a positive impact on the world.

In Family Connection's innovative programs, parents participate in preschool classes with their children, ages newborn to five. Children experience an array of educational opportunities that prepare them for the future. Parents attend weekly parenting seminars, covering a range of topics, with an emphasis on positive discipline.

Please visit Family Connection's website to learn more:

http://www.familyconnections.org/aboutus/advise.php