<![CDATA[Rotary29 - Events]]>

<![CDATA[Rotary29 - Events]]>Wed, 06 May 2026 11:40:04 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[ROTARY FOOD DRIVE BENEFITS EIGHT LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES]]>Wed, 06 May 2026 17:54:38 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/rotary-food-drive-benefits-eight-local-food-pantriesA Morongo Basin wide food drive collected enough food and funding to bring big benefits to eight local food pantries. Three Rotary clubs, Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and Yucca Valley Sunset, combined their efforts for the annual food collection held Friday, April 24th. The clubs set up collection areas at the Twentynine Palms and Yucca Valley East Stater Brothers grocery stores. Shoppers were given lists of food items which were then collected and organized into bags designed to feed a family of four for two days.

Organizer Mary Helen Tuttle of Joshua Tree Rotary said the Yucca Valley location netted 122 bags and Twentynine Palms 100 during the six-hour event. Valued at about $25.00 each, the bags represented a value of $5,550.00. In addition, donation jars at both locations netted another $371.00. The cash was used to purchase selected food items to fill in what was needed for each bag. Other donations from Rotary and private sources, plus a rollover from the 2025 event, brought another $3,192.00.

The Saturday morning after the event the food was distributed to eight Food Pantries, plus all the extra oddball stuff collected and not put in bags. In addition to the food bags, the pantries will each receive checks for $399.00.
The beneficiaries are:
29 Palms Food Pantry
The Way Station
Roth Memorial Food Pantry at Oasis Church
Morongo Basin Arch
Boys and Girls Club of Yucca Valley
Student Needs at Copper Mountain College
Pay'n It Forward
Copper Mtn Mesa Community Association

Organizers thanked Stater Brothers for the locations and Cardinal Van and Storage for the trucks used to collect and transport the food.

Tuttle said the Rotary Clubs will continue to collect donations until May 5th and will give the funds to the Food Pantries at the Joshua Tree Rotary meeting of Wednesday, May 6th. There is still time to donate tax deductible dollars, send to:

Rotary Club of Joshua Tree Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 1323, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

Or contact Bryan Sullivan 760-668-8195 or Paul Hoffman 760-832-3188.

Rotary International has about 1.2 million members in 45,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary clubs bring together people across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves.

Photos:

Rotary YV JT 2026
Rotarians man the food drive booth in Yucca Valley April 24th. From left, Bryan Sullivan from Joshua Tree Rotary, Sue Tsuda from Yucca Valley Sunset Rotary and Kimberly Mejia from Joshua Tree. (Rotary Club photo)

Rotary 29 2026
Rotarians from the Twentynine Palms Club man the food drive table April 24th at Stater Brothers, From left, Dann Rothwell, Anna Stump, Judy Cates, and Randy Councell. (Rotary Club photo)

]]><![CDATA[29 PALMS ROTARY HONORS PALM VISTA STUDENT OF THE MONTH]]>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/29-palms-rotary-honors-palm-vista-student-of-the-month

The Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms continued its program of supporting local education by recognizing the “Student of the Month” from Palm Vista Elementary school.

At their meeting of April 29, 2026, the club welcomed Principal, Dr. Claudette Onumah, teacher Taylor Shortall, and student Oliver Carroll.

Dr. Onumah thanked club president Jermaine Rodney and the club for providing the avenue to honor teachers and students. She introduced teacher Taylor Shortall who runs the extended learning program at the school and recently started a very successful cooking club at Palm Vista.

Shortall told the club she was very thankful to be part of a “very unique community” at the school and introduced Oliver Carroll as the student of the month. She described Carroll as, “Very quiet but always working behind the scenes”. She lauded his achievement of starting a chess club referring to him as a “True Palm Vista Panther”.

Rotary Youth services chairman John Cole then presented all three with certificates and gift cards for their achievements.

Founded in 1948, The Rotary club of Twentynine Palms meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room.

Photo:
At their meeting of April 30, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club welcomed representatives of Palms Vista Elementary school. From left. Club President Jermaine Rodney, Principal Dr. Claudette Onumah, Teacher Taylor Shortall, Student of the month Oliver Carroll, and Rotary youth services chair John Cole. (Rotary photo)

]]><![CDATA[29 PALMS ROTARY HONORS CONDOR ELEMENTARY “STUDENT OF THE MONTH”]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/29-palms-rotary-honors-condor-elementary-student-of-the-monthA fifth grader at Condor Elementary school was recognized as the “Student of the month” at a recent 29 Palms Rotary club meeting.

While thanking the service club for their efforts to honor local education, Condor Principal Dr. Mario Walker gave a brief background on the unique school, located aboard the Twentynine Palms Marine base. He said that for over 30 years they have worked closely with the base to provide quality services to military families. He introduced 5th grade teacher Carey Campbell as a 10-year teacher at Condor, who has one of the highest scoring classes at the school.

Campbell thanked the kids and parents for their efforts in supporting the school as he named his student, Maya Vinzon, for the high honor. Campbell said Maya was chosen because “she listens and she works”. He added, “she works hard every day. all day. she finishes, she learns, she excels”.

Maya’s parents were there as she gracefully accepted the award, thanking the club. Club President Jermaine Rodney gave out the certificates while Youth Service chairman John Cole gave Walker, Campbell, and Maya gift cards.

Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. They have been supporting local educators and students for many years by inviting honorees to club meetings. The club meets Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the desert meeting room.

Photo:
At their meeting of April 22nd, (from left) 29 Palms Rotary Club President Jermaine Rodney, award winner Maya Vinzon, teacher Carey Campbell, Condor Principal Dr. Mario Walker, and club youth services director John Cole honor the 5th grader named “Student of the month”. (Rotary photo)

]]><![CDATA[Volunteering at the Flying Doctors at Yucca Valley High School]]>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/volunteering-at-the-flying-doctors-at-yucca-valley-high-school

]]><![CDATA[Cinderella Opening Night at Theatre 29 is a Rotary Fundraiser!]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:12:50 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/cinderella-opening-night-at-theatre-29-is-a-rotary-fundraiser

Please join us at opening night of the Rogers and Hammerstein musical, "Cinderella," with costumes, eats and drinks, and fun for all!

]]><![CDATA[Rotary Celebrates 25 Years of Copper Mountain College]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:09:01 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/rotary-celebrates-25-years-of-copper-mountain-college

Did you know that the Rotary Clubs of the Morongo Basin -- Twentynine Palms, Joshua Tree and Yucca Valley -- helped to found and build our very own Copper Mountain Community College? Please come and help us celebrate!

]]><![CDATA[TWO “LITTLE PIONEERS” NAMED IN PIONEER DAYS TRADITION]]>Wed, 22 Oct 2025 18:11:12 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/two-little-pioneers-named-in-pioneer-days-tradition

Two young members of the Twentynine Palms Community were named as “Little Pioneers” Wednesday evening (10/15) as the 89th annual Pioneer Days celebration kicked off in Twentynine Palms.

The Annual Pioneer Days Little Pioneers program is a special event just for our youngest community members. Open to children ages 4-6, this fun and lighthearted program gives contestants the chance to shine as they answer simple, age-appropriate questions about their favorite hobbies, pets, talents, and more.

The event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms with Larissa (Jo-Jo) Rodney as the Master of Ceremonies. After a delightful interaction with the contestants, the volunteer judges selected Winners William Dandurand and Tammy Randall.

The 29 Palms Rotary Club, established March 15, 1948, is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall.

Photo:
William Dandurand and Tammy Randall high five each other after being named as “Little Pioneers” for the 89th annual Pioneer Days in Twentynine Palms. (Rotary Photo)

]]><![CDATA[TWENTYNINE PALMS ROTARY NAMES NEW PRESIDENT, OFFICERS]]>Tue, 01 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/twentynine-palms-rotary-names-new-president-officers

Rotary District 5330 Assistant Governor Bryan Sullivan (left) swears in Jermaine Rodney as the new President of the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms

At a recent Demotion/Induction event, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms said thank you to outgoing 24-25 President P.J. Welch and swore Jermaine Rodney in as their new President for 25-26.

Rotary District 5330 Assistant Governor Bryan Sullivan was on hand to officiate at the event, which marked the end of the 24-25 Rotary year of service.

After swearing in Rodney, Sullivan then gave the oath of office to the new 2025-26 Board of Directors, John Cole, Dawn Benton, Jamie Wayt, P.J. Welch, Pat Welch, and Anna Stump.

Chartered in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service club in the Morongo Basin. Dedicated to community service, they meet Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. More information is available at www.rotary29.org

At a recent swearing in ceremony, (From left) Rotary District 5330 Assistant Governor Bryan Sullivan inducts new 25-26 Twentynine Palms Rotary Club Board members John Cole, Jermaine Rodney, Dawn Benton, Jamie Wayt, P.J. Welch, Pat Welch, and Anna Stump.

]]><![CDATA[TWENTYNINE PALMS ROTARY GIVES OUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATING SENIORS]]>Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/august-11th-2025The 29 Palms Rotary Club is making supporting excellence in education a priority this school year. During the past few months, they have awarded certificates and gift cards to local Teachers and students of the year chosen by the principals of 29 Palms area schools.

This week the club gave out significant scholarships to graduating seniors from both Twentynine Palms and Black Rock High schools. Seven scholarships in total were given out, with student essays being the criteria used to ascertain the eligibility and amounts, Rotarian John Cole headed up the club’s scholarship committee. Smaller amounts were awarded to four students with larger scholarships given to Maryam Langdon and Kieu Huynh of 29 Palms High School and Julia Scott from Blackrock Continuation High School.
With 22 members, the Rotary Club of Twentynine Palms meets on Wednesdays at noon at the Little Church of the Desert meeting room.

From left, at the Rotary meeting of June 11, 2025, recipients Maryam Langdon and Kieu Huynh receive scholarships from Rotary Scholarship Chair John Cole.

From left, at Blackrock High School, Rotary Past-President Dan Mintz presents a scholarship to Julia Scott.

]]><![CDATA[ROTARY HONORS MR. SCHNEIDER AS TEACHER OF THE MONTH]]>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.rotary29.org/events/rotary-honors-mr-schneider-as-teacher-of-the-month

TWENTYNINE PALMS — The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club continued its tradition of celebrating educational excellence by honoring Twentynine Palms Elementary School teacher Michael Schneider as Rotary Teacher of the Month.

Recognized for his creativity, dedication and deep ties to the community, Mr. Schneider was recognized by Rotary representative Gary Daigneault during the Fourth Grade Awards Ceremony at Twentynine Palms Elementary School on June 3, 2025. He is celebrated not only for his outstanding teaching, but also for the many ways he enriches student life beyond the classroom. He serves on the school’s Site Leadership Team, regularly volunteers to teach Saturday School and actively coaches basketball during both the school year and summer.

“Mr. Schneider is a highly effective and creative teacher and a long-time member of our community who has built strong, lasting relationships with students and families,” said Principal Nicole Trejo.

“He advocates for students and teachers and leads by example — teaching students how to advocate for themselves. It is my pleasure to select Mr. Schneider as Rotary Teacher of the Month.”

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Mr. Schneider received a certificate of achievement and a gift card, presented by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club as part of its ongoing commitment to honoring those who make a meaningful impact in local education.
“We sincerely thank the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club for their ongoing commitment to recognizing and supporting our educators,” said Morongo Unified School District Public Information Officer Jene Estrada “Honoring teachers like Mr. Schneider highlights the incredible impact they have on our students and community.”

Founded in 1948, the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club is the oldest service organization in the Morongo Basin and a proud member of Rotary International, a global network of more than 1.2 million members dedicated to community service and leadership. The Club meets every Wednesday at noon at the Little Church of the Desert Meeting Hall. To learn more, visit www.rotary29.org.

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