Welcome to the newest Rotary Club of District 5340!
The Rotary Club of Sweetwater San Diego welcomed District Governor Dan Gensler at its regular meeting held at the IHOP in National City on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
The new club was presented its Charter Certificate during the meeting by D/G Gensler where he inducted the following Charter officers and members: Ms. Marissa De Luna, Charter President and President 2021-2022; Rosita Mallari, Vice-President; Romeo Villanueva, Secretary; Wilfredo Abalos, Treasurer; Veronic Villanueva, Membership Chair; Pat Quebada, Foundation Chair; Fatima Larcome, Public Image; Florian Pet, Sgt. At Arms; Freda Pet, Community Service Chair; Jamie Pet, International Service Chair; Joy Vicente, Youth Service Chair; Severo De Luna, Vocational Service Chair; and Philip Villanueva, Club Service Chair.
The following Charter members were also inducted into the club: Nelson Agbayani, Bernardo Nefalar, Susan Bravo, Severo De Luna, Jason Larcome, Efren Mallari, Jr., Felicity Pet, Darwin Quebada, Maridell Reyes, Tony Reyes, Cely Saludo, Frank Surio, Carmelita Vicente.
The newly chartered club has already submitted applications for grants from District 5340 of Rotary International for its intended projects to do medical mission to Guatemala and to provide oxygen machines to Lying-In clinics in Iloilo Philippines. It will also continue to provide business loans to micro small business entrepreneurs through its micro lending project in the Philippines in cooperation with the Sacred Heart Multipurpose Credit Cooperative in San Rafael, Bulacan. The total amount of $950 was generated from among the members to contribute to Polio Plus Program of Rotary International which will be matched by M/M John and Mary Ellen Matthews of District 5340 and which will further be matched 6X by the Bill Gates Foundation to help eradicate Polio.
This club intends to continue to partner with The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) to identify Filipino veterans of World War II who fought in the Philippines as members of the US Army in the Pacific (USAFFE), US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Coast Guard, Philippine Scouts, or Recognized Guerrilla Forces from July 26, 1941 to December 31, 1946, who have not been recognized until this time to receive the due recognition and award of the Congressional Gold Medal replica as per decree signed by President Obama on October 25, 2017.
District Governor Dan Gensler gave recognition and appreciation to all members of the club who continue to render service through Rotary; to Romeo Villanueva who has been a Rotarian since 1983; and to Rosario Mallari who has been a Rotarian since 1995.