Rotary Club of Pasadena Annual Community Grants Awards $62,000 to Pasadena Health Non-profits

The Pasadena Rotary Club announced community grant recipients on Wednesday during a weekly conference call.

This year 14 organizations received  $62,000 combined. The grants range from $2000 to $6,000, according to Pasadena Rotary’s Centennial President, Scott Vandrick,

“As we celebrate our 100th birthday, the Pasadena Rotary Club sought to increase our investment in the Pasadena community,” Vandrick said. “This year’s grant cycle, which is focused on health services is $20,000 over the amount usually granted with additional funds raised at the Club’s Centennial Ball last year. These are our Club’s donor dollars at work, and we couldn’t be prouder!”

The grant awards went to non-profit organizations for Health programs in preventative, education or direct services.

Preventative programs encourage greater health such as exercise, food planning and preparation and sleep patterns.

Health Education programs provide information about good health practices that prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart attacks.

Direct Services programs provide services that prevent disease such as flu shots, oral exams, check ups, blood pressure and hearing tests.

The Rotary Club of Pasadena Foundation primarily receives donations from the members of the Pasadena Rotary Club.  Each year the Rotary Club of Pasadena Foundation distributes funds to 501c3 non-profit organizations serving the Pasadena community through the Club’s Grants Committee. The Grants Committees’ 15 members seek applicants, review grant applications, conduct site visits, select grant recipients, gain approval from the Rotary Club of Pasadena Foundation, and awards grants honoring the recipients.

Since 2004, the Foundation has issued more than 370 grants totaling over $702,659 to over 131 organizations.

“We recognize that during this difficult time, many organizations have needs that go beyond the programs they applied to support with the grant from Pasadena Rotary,” says Deborah Lewis, co-chair of Community Grants.  “We are giving them the opportunity to use these funds to serve the clients or programs that have the greatest need. We hope this will help them get through the health and economic concerns they are experiencing.”

Boys and Girls Club received $6,000, the Cancer Support Community received $3,000, the Convalescent Aid Society received $6,000. Chapcare received $4,000, the Elizabeth House received $6,000 and  Families Forward received $3,000.

The Flintridge Center received $3,000 and the Hear Center received $6,000.

Hillsides received a $3,000 grant, while Pasadena Meals on Wheels received $4,000 and the Pasadena Senior Center received $6,000. The Ronald McDonald House received $3,000, Villa Esperanza Center received $6,000 and Young and Healthy received $3,000.