Inspired by Rotary’s timeless call to Service Above Self, four East County clubs came together with a shared vision: to create something meaningful, lasting, and joyful for their communities.
On Saturday, May 16, 2026, that vision came to life during Rotary’s Epic Day of Service, when members of the Santee Lakeside, El Cajon, La Mesa Noon, and La Mesa Sunrise clubs gathered with tools, paintbrushes, and a whole lot of heart.
Their mission was simple but powerful — to build and decorate Little Free Libraries that would spark curiosity, encourage reading, and stand as bright symbols of Rotary’s commitment to Basic Education and Literacy, one of Rotary’s core areas of focus. Each club had already identified where their libraries would go: most to local schools, where students could easily access books, and two to county parks, where families gather and neighbors cross paths. These were places where the libraries would be cared for, restocked, and woven into the daily life of the community.
But the project was about more than building libraries. It was about building connection. From the moment the first boards were laid out to form the libraries and the first strokes of paint went on, the energy was unmistakable. Rotarians moved between workstations, offering a hand, sharing tools, trading tips, and laughing together. Clubs that normally operate independently blended into one team — a living example of how Rotary amplifies its impact when members unite around a shared purpose.
That spirit of unity shone even brighter when Chisa Morita, a Rotary Fellow studying to get her Master of Public Health as SDSU and her friend, Mahiro, along with members of the El Cajon Sunrise Rotary Club, though not officially part of the project, arrived simply to support their fellow Rotarians. Their presence underscored what the day was truly about: showing up for one another, strengthening bonds, and demonstrating that service is most powerful when it’s shared.
By the end of the day, the libraries stood ready — colorful, sturdy, and full of promise. But just as important were the connections forged, the pride felt, and the reminder that when Rotary clubs come together, they don’t just complete a project. They create momentum, community, and lasting change.
A heartfelt thank you is extended to La Mesa Sunrise Rotarian, Ron Rice, whose company provided all the painting and supplies and to the United First Methodist Church in La Mesa who felt this project deserved community support and offered their outdoor patio as a place to make this magic happen.
