Judy Colaneri is the owner of Spanish Steps, a Spain-based travel company that offers van-supported journeys along different routes of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, France and Italy.  Judy is not a Rotarian, but has developed a deep friendship with Krishna and Bonnie Arora, members of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club in San Diego, California, District 5340, who have traveled on multiple Camino routes with Spanish Steps.  Over the years she has heard about the projects they and their Rotary Club have been involved in.
 
One day while Krishna and Bonnie were in New Delhi, India, with a group of 10 Interact students from San Diego county on an Interact student exchange trip, Bonnie received an email from Judy.  The email said, "I was thinking that it might be nice to offer a trip on the Camino where all the benefits or profits would go to one of the foundations you are involved with...We thought of you and all the good things you do.  What do you think of this idea?...I just love what you and Krishna are doing and would love to participate in some form."
 
This sparked the beginning of the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club's "Rotary Camino Fundraiser".  Spanish Steps offered to provide a one week, van-supported journey covering the last 117 kilometers (73 miles) of the Camino de Santiago, from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela and donate profits back their Rotary Club for service projects.
 
Linda Stouffer, another member of La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club, who had also walked a Camino route with Spanish Steps, was on the Club's board of directors.  She helped to gain approvals and orchestrate the fundraiser.
 
The date was set for March 31 - April 8, 2017, and flyers went out, giving members the opportunity to walk this pilgrimage as a group and earn funds for the Club.  When word of the Fundraiser spread throughout District 5340, members of other clubs signed up to participate as well.  12 Rotarians and spouses, representing 5 Clubs in District 5340, participated in the walk:  La Jolla Golden Triangle (Louise Andres, Krishna and Bonnie Arora, Wayne Davis, Linda Stouffer and Steve Wallis); La Jolla Sunrise (Steve Andres, Steve and Carol Cross), Borrego Springs (Martha Deichler), San Diego Club 33 (Christy White), and Escondido After Five (Steve Davis).
 
The group began its journey in the Roman walled city of Lugo, Spain, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Those who arrived a few days early attended a meeting at the Rotary Club of Lugo, and were able to meet Assistant District Governor, Antonio Quesada Estangui.
 
Throughout the journey, Spanish Steps guides, Judy Colaneri, Virginio Corsi, and Francesco Corsi, were always available to support the group.  Rather than accept a salary, they volunteered their services so that more funds could be raised.  When some of the hotels where the group stayed learned of the fundraiser, they offered major discounts as their contribution.
 
 
After the Rotarian pilgrims returned home, La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club received a check in the amount of $23,657.75 from Spanish Steps.  Plus, members and friends who did not physically participate in the walk, contributed funds to sponsor the walkers, and raised an additional, $5,467. A total sum of $29,124 will make a difference in the lives of many throughout the world. Specifically, the funds will be utilized for the following projects:
 
  • Provide Bio-sand filters for clean drinking water in the Kilimanjaro region of Northern Tanzania;
  • Provide furnishings for St. Paul's Veterans rooms, San Diego;
  • Restore an education center in a slum community in New Delhi, India;
  • Build a house for a family in Tijuana, Mexico;
  • In conjunction with Feeding the Homeless, provide outreach services to homeless in San Diego;
  • Repairs and improvements for an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico;
  • Provide blankets for Syrian refugees in Macedonia;
  • Install solar panels for school in Jalalabad, Afghanistan;
  • Provide IdeaPaint in classrooms for OASIS Senior Learning Center, San Diego;
  • Rotary Club of Santiago de Comopostela (Project TBD), Spain;
  • Provide sewing class material to middle/high school students, in Borrego Springs
 
All of this was possible because Judy Colaneri saw the good hands-on work done by Rotarians and found her own way to make a difference.  Thank you Judy and Spanish Steps!