The Rotary Club of Weston gathered on August 21st to celebrate new member inductions, birthdays, and guest introductions while advancing preparations for the upcoming Food & Wine Festival. The meeting also highlighted important community updates, including Parkinson’s disease awareness, educational initiatives at Western High School, and ongoing service projects.
The meeting of the Rotary Club of Weston was a powerful mix of fellowship, celebration, and community impact.
Inductions & Celebrations
The morning began with an invocation from Erik Haldimann, reflecting on the service and sacrifices of mothers. Three new members were inducted—Anthony Genova, Graciela Sanoti, and Maria Esperanza Lopez de Bonnell—each bringing unique professional expertise and a passion for service. Rotarians warmly welcomed them into the Weston family, pledging support as they begin their Rotary journey. Birthday celebrations were also held for Emily Wallace, Andy Suarez, and Karen Hollis.
Food & Wine Festival Planning
With just four weeks until the Food & Wine Festival, Jackie Gillman and the events team emphasized the urgent need for volunteer sign-ups—50–60 adults and 20 teens. Members were reminded to purchase tickets before September 1st to receive the Rotarian discount, as space is limited. To build momentum, the club will host happy hours every Friday at participating restaurants, beginning at Sushiato, and a Food Crawl is scheduled for September 1st to support partner restaurants.
Rotary Minute
Deborah Richman delivered a thoughtful Rotary Minute, explaining why Rotary International presidents serve only one year. This structure ensures fresh ideas, broad participation, and prevents burnout while promoting Rotary’s global diversity.
Community & School Updates
Several school and community initiatives were shared:
- Western High School received approval for new presentation TVs.
- Spanish teacher Anna Marie and Dr. Jaffer are advocating for enhanced educational resources.
- Upcoming service events include a beach cleanup, clothing sort, and a joint Impact & Satellite Club social/game night.
Charity Spotlight – Parkinson’s Foundation
The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by David Sanderson and Karen Lopez from the Parkinson’s Foundation. They explained the foundation’s mission to improve lives through education, research, and care, and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and exercise in managing symptoms. Members were invited to join the Parkinson’s Foundation Community Walk on November 8th at Central Park in Plantation. QR codes were provided at each table for volunteers to register or join the Weston Rotary walk team.
Estate Planning & STAR Program
Dr. Adam Goldberg presented insights into estate planning, sharing startling statistics on the number of individuals—famous and otherwise—who pass away without wills. The discussion underscored the importance of preparing for the future to support families and causes. Eugenio Moreno also reminded new members about orientation through the STAR program.
Service in Action
Rotarians were reminded of opportunities to serve, including:
- Volunteering with Florida Blue & Harvest Drive at the Panther Arena on August 26th.
- Supporting the community toy drive through Amazon Wish List donations.
- Participating in the September 18th Food & Wine Festival as both attendees and volunteers.
The meeting concluded with Happy Fives, fellowship, and the 4-Way Test, leaving members energized to continue living the motto: “Service Above Self.”
Visit www.westonrotaryfwf.com to catch the full recap.
