The Rotary Club of Capitola-Aptos was chartered on April 28, 1965 by extending and redistricting parts of the Clubs in Santa Cruz and Watsonville. The club was originally chartered as “Rotary Club of Soquel” with 27 members. The name has been changed twice over the years to better represent the geographical location of the club and it’s membership. In the 1970’s it became the Rotary Club of Mid-County and finally in 1988 it became what it is today, the Rotary Club of Capitola-Aptos. The club’s membership averages around 50 Rotarians.
Eric became a Rotarian with the Capitola-Aptos club in 1999. Eric has been a board member, treasurer and the Vocational Services Chair in different seasons during his time as a Rotarian. Kendra became a Rotarian in 2013 and is currently on the Capitola-Aptos Club’s Board of Directors, as well as co-chairing the club’s annual major fundraiser.
Rotarians volunteer in their local community; for example we have purchased and presented dictionaries to students at Rio Del Mar Elementary School for a number of years (until computers became utilized instead of the ‘old book’ dictionary!), we have park betterment day’s at two local community spaces where we remove non-native plants and generally get our hands in the dirt, and twice a year we do a beach cleanup at Beer Can Beach in Aptos. Just some of the local organizations that the club has monetarily supported (with money raised at the annual major fundraiser) through the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Community Grants Program include:
- American Red Cross
- CASA
- Coastal Watershed
- Digital NEST
- For Kids Foundation Monterey Bay
- Grey Bears
- Helping Hands Senior Home Repair
- Homeless Services Center
- Jesus Mary Joseph Home
- LEO’s Haven
- Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes
- O’Neill Sea Odyssey
- Safe Schools/Diversity Center
- Save our Shores
- Siena House Maternity Home
- Unravel Pediatric Cancer
Additionally, The Capitola-Aptos Rotary Foundation is a 501c(3) non-profit consisting of funds and endowments donated by our club’s present and past Rotarians. Eric has advised the foundation’s board and managed the foundations investment account since its inception in 2007. In addition to annual scholarships given to graduating seniors who are headed for college that were involved in the Aptos and Soquel High School Interact program, annually the Capitola-Aptos Rotary Foundation gives out a $15,000 scholarship (called the Henry and Vera Piatt Fellowship) to a graduate of a Santa Cruz County high school who is now pursuing a Ph.D. as a UCSC student and is making research strides in STEM (science, technology, engineering or mathematics).
Below are photos of Eric and Kendra at weekly Rotary meetings and Rotary events:
Click image to view larger.
Raymond James is not affiliated with the above organizations and/or charitable causes.
