South Placer Publicity

Rotary scores victory for students in need
By Lauren Weber, Placer Herald Associate Editor 
  Rocklin Bel Air store manager Eric Hanson, left, South Placer Rotary Club President John Carter, Rotary members Jeff Brower and Steve Rau shop for food to donate to four Rocklin families in need.

When JoAnn Mart, a teacher at Victory High School, heard about five students who were in need of food and a bed, she wasted no time asking for help. She even received immediate assistance from the Rotary Club of South Placer and local businesses.

Less than 24 hours after Mart’s initial “can you help” e-mail to Rotary President John Carter, Rotary members were doing what they could to lend a hand. Rotary Club of South Placer past president Steve Rau contacted Sleep Train’s corporate office, asking for a bed for one student who had been sleeping on the floor. With that call, a double-sized mattress and box spring was delivered to the student’s house.

Other members got in touch with local grocery stores to feed the students. Bel Air in Rocklin donated a $50 gift certificate and with it, members purchased approximately $400 worth of groceries for the students, Rau said.

“It was just awesome,” Rau said. “Rotary does a lot of these kinds of things.”

What prompted Mart’s contact to the Rotary Club was due in part to the club’s involvement with Victory High School, a continuation school in Rocklin. The club adopted the school and was determined to help in any way.

“We knew that if we asked the Rotary Club, they would help,” Mart said. “But we never knew it would be so quick.”

After the Rotary members purchased the food, they brought it to the high school for members of the Interact Club, which is a high school-level Rotary Club at Victory High School. Mart said it was overwhelming for her and the students to see.

“It was good for the kids,” she said.

The food went toward four different students’ families in Rocklin who are struggling financially.

The club is also currently preparing for their holiday deliveries of food baskets, which last year were delivered to more than 100 local families, Rau said.

To donate or for more information about Rotary Club of South Placer, go to www.southplacerrotary.org.