Stories

Rotarians to Share Their Commitment to 'Service Above Self'

After new Hayward Rotary Club President Francisco Zermeno "wrapped up" leading his first meeting

July 7, he discovered that he'd have to unwrap his car.

Several men and women in the Hayward Rotary Club will share their most meaningful experiences as members at the organization's next noon meeting Monday, July 14, at 1074 B St. The club installed 2025-26 president Francisco Zermeno at its July 7 meeting and now will move ahead toward a full program year addressing the needs of Hayward, abiding by the Rotary International motto of "service above self." The club is coming off a record fundraising year for its charitable efforts, including $51,000 that went to grants for 17 local nonprofit organizations to address issues such as homelessness, hunger and literacy.

Rotary Opens Year July 7 With President Zermeno

The Hayward Rotary Club will begin its 104th year of service to the community with a noon luncheon on Monday, July 7 presided over by a new president, Francisco Zermeno. The club will meet at 1074 B St. in downtown Hayward.

The program will include President Zermeno's presentation on his goals for the upcoming year, through June 2026, and awards for members in patriotic attire.

Wacky 'Demotion' for Hayward Rotary President

The Sorensdale Center was the site for the annual presidential "demotion" event June 30, this time for Hayward Rotary's 103rd president, Kim Huggett. As usual, nothing was out-of-bounds during the hilarious send-off to President Kim's term, with skit master Brian Schott and past president Norman Garcia combining to put on an elaborate recreation of the 70's comedy television program, The Gong Show. Following the premise of that wacky out of control madhouse program hosted by Chuck Barris, Rotarians enjoyed a mind-blowing array of wanna-be street performers, lounge acts, amateur singers and dancers, and psychos. Check out the photos here or on our Facebook's album page.

Hayward Rotary's Heroes and Traditions Recognized June 23

The Hayward Rotary Club's 42nd meeting of its 103rd year will be held June 23 at 1074 B St. and will be the final Monday luncheon of its program year. During the lunch meeting, president Kim Huggett will pay tribute to heroes and traditions over a record-setting 12 months.

The photo shows a Hayward classroom, part of the club's literacy project that distributed 6,770 books to 1,750 students at 19 public schools and 102 dictionaries to four Catholic schools.

President Kim's Demotion !

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Chabot College President at Hayward Rotary June 16

Chabot College President Jamal Cooks will be the featured speaker at the June 16 meeting of Hayward Rotary, to be held at noon at the Masonic Hall, 1074 B St.

He was appointed by the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Board of Trustees as Chabot's 10th president on Aug. 1, 2023, although he assumed the role on an interim basis in 2021. Chabot has an annual budget of $40 million, 400 full-time faculty and staff, and even more who work part-time.

He brings more than 20 years of teaching, research, and leadership experience to the Chabot presidency. He served as vice president of academic services at Chabot in 2022. Prior to community college administration, Dr. Cooks served as a professor at San Francisco State University, where he was also the associate director for the educational leadership doctoral program.

June 9 Club Meeting at Mission Hills Golf Course

The June 9 meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club will start at the clubhouse cafe of the Mission Hills Golf Course, 275 Industrial Parkway, near Mission Boulevard.

After a noon lunch and a brief meeting, Rotarians will walk next door to either use the driving range and its laser-tracking system, or engage in a putting contest. There will be no charge for either activity, thanks to the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District Foundation. There will be plenty of irons available to share, but members are encouraged to bring their own drivers and putters, if they have them.

Hayward Rotarians Shine Among 63 Clubs

Hundreds of Rotarians from 63 District 5170 clubs gathered at San Jose State on May 28 for the annual conference preparing officer, boards of directors, and other members for a program year of service beginning July 1.

Only one of the 63 clubs had the foresight to bring its bell, which is why the Hayward club was recognized at the opening and closing of each session when President Kim clanged ours with authority. In one breakout session with grammy-nominated jazz violinist Jeremy Cohen, President Kim played a duet with him on the club bell to the bluegrass classic, "Orange Blossom Special." The same violin belonged to the MGM concert master who played for the score of Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, and Singin' in the Rain.

Area Four Assistant Governor Vrushali Nanjundappa was on hand to assist with the program, Francisco Zermeno attended as our president-elect, Ivana Hubertova represented our membership and took pictures, and Sarah Lamnin helped present in the exhibit hall on the district's DEI outreach. More of Ivana's photos of the event are here and in our Facebook album here.

Identity Theft Discussed at June 2 Hayward Rotary Meeting

Whether texting, calling, emailing, using social media or just browsing the internet, vigilance is required to protect against identity theft. At the June 2 lunch meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club, Hayward Police Department investigators will discuss the ways criminals steal identity information and how to protect against it.

At an earlier meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club, when asked who had been a victim of identity theft most of those in attendance raised their hands. On June 2, Hayward police detective Victor Areliano and Capt. Dan Olsen of the investigations division will be the featured presenters on this subject. The club meets at 1074 B St.

Hayward Rotary Will Not Meet on Memorial Day / Next Meeting June 2

The Hayward Rotary Club will not meet on Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. The club urges its members and those in the community to fly their flag at home and attend the Memorial Day event and free barbecue lunch at the Lone Tree Cemetery in Hayward, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The club's next meeting will be at noon on June 2 at 1074 B St.

America's Fastest-Growing Sport at Hayward Rotary May 19

The Hayward Rotary Club will meet next at noon on Monday, May 19, when Hayward Rotarian Steve Love and Noel Munivez of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, will discuss America’s fastest growing sport, pickleball. It is played in this country by 20 million people and has grown in popularity 300 percent in the last three years. Classes in the sport take up four pages in the HARD brochure.

Join Hayward Rotarians at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo May 16-18

The 104th

annual Rowell Ranch Rodeo will be held this weekend, with dozens of community nonprofit organizations about to benefit from the annual event. Hayward Rotary Club members will be on hand throughout the rodeo working at the concession stands to raise funds for its various charitable activities.

Concession sales help Hayward Rotary fund tens of thousands of dollars in community grants and all club members are expected to work a shift or two at the event by signing up here. More than $50,000 in revenue from the rodeo and additional contributions went to 17 Hayward nonprofit organizations from the proceeds of last year's event.

This year's rodeo will feature the Rockin' Bull Bash starting at 7 p.m. Friday and professional rodeo events starting at 3 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Saturday's events will include the Cowboy Experience at 1:30 p.m., where people of all ages can go into the arena and learn elements of of the western lifestyle around horses. Also on Saturday, at 6 p.m., there will be a steak barbecue and dance after the rodeo events have concluded.

Hayward Rotarians George Pacheco and Paul Martin serve on the rodeo association board of directors.

Hayward Celebrates Rowell Ranch Rodeo @ Meeting May 12

Cowboys, cowgirls and directors of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Association will be featured presenters at the noon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club on May 12 at 1074 B St. in advance of the 104th annual rodeo May 16-18.

Concession sales help Hayward Rotary fund tens of thousands of dollars in community grants and all club members are expected to work a shift or two at the event by signing up here. More than $50,000 in revenue from this event and additional contributions went to 17 Hayward nonprofit organizations from the proceeds of last year's rodeo. The biggest need currently is to assist with set-up on May 16 and packing up May 18.

The rodeo association will be joined by members of the Castro Valley Rotary Club, founded by Hayward Rotary, as part of their annual joint meeting. All members are encouraged to meet the rodeo queen and attend in western garb.

Hayward Rotarians George Pacheco and Paul Martin serve on the rodeo association board of directors.

Rotarians Patrick Landeza and Kim Huggett lead rodeo songs at the May 12 club meeting.

School Board Honors Hayward Rotary for Free Book Distribution to All City Third-Graders

Wednesday night, Hayward Rotary Club President Kim Huggett and literacy project chairman Tom Ferreira were asked to relay the thanks of the Hayward Unified School District Board of Education to the organization's members for distributing nearly 7,000 books to 1,750 third grade students at 19 schools. In the last 25 years, more than 50,000 HUSD third grade students have received free dictionaries or reading books from the club. The club also distributed 102 dictionaries at four Catholic elementary schools.

New Supermarket GM at Hayward Rotary May 5

Eskinder Kedir, general manager of the new Hayward Sprouts supermarket, will be the featured speaker at the May 5 noon lunch meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club at 1074 B St.

Hayward has not had a full-service supermarket developed in more than a decade, and Spouts opened last fall at the corner of Mission Boulevard and Harder Road as part of a redevelopment of the former K-Mart site. Its community support includes connections to the Alameda County Food Bank.

Sprouts began as a fruit and vegetable stand in San Diego in 1943 and is one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States. Sprouts employs approximately 31,000 team members and has more than 415 stores in 23 states.

Vrushali Nanjundappa Honored as 'Outstanding Hayward Rotarian'

Past club president Vrushali Nanjundappa was honored for her years of service with the Outstanding Hayward Rotarian award at a special dinner meeting of the club on April 28. The event was full of tributes for Vrushali, including the awarding of commendations by Mayor Mark Salinas on behalf of the City of Hayward and the offices of Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Marquez and Assembly Member Liz Ortega.

Hayward Club Sponsored Ismael Rojas @ Speech Contest Finals

Congratulations to Ismael Rojas, a senior at Hayward High School and sponsored by the Hayward Rotary Club in the Rotary District 5170 Richard D. King Speech Contest. After competing at the club, area, regional and Saturday's district-level competitions, Ismael won more than $2,000 toward his goal of attending Cal Poly SLO this fall as an aerospace major. Celebrating after his speech on Saturday were (from left) Hayward Rotarians Vrushali Nanjundappa, Kim Huggett and Barbara Halliday. The 44-year-old speech contest is held among the 62 Rotary clubs in the 5170 district, that is centered on Silicon Valley and includes Hayward. This year's Hayward contest coordinators included HUSD trustees Ken Rawdon and Peter Bufete.

Hayward Rotarians Receive Hearts of Hayward Awards

More than a dozen Hayward Rotarians were on hand at City Hall Thursday night for the annual Volunteer Awards and Recognition Event. Since 1996, 15 club members have received Hearts of Hayward awards in various categories for volunteer service. Honorees this year included (from left): Bob Sakai with the Gail Steele Lifetime Achievement Award; Shubbie Aishida, founder of The Peace Haven nonprofit; and (far right) Tom Ferreira, co-founder of Hayward Concerned Citizens. Holding the club bell is Hayward Rotary Club President Kim Huggett, a past awardee.

Hayward Promise Neighborhoods at Hayward Rotary April 21

The director of Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, Edgar Chavez, will address the Hayward Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting April 21 at 1074 B St. The U.S. Department of Education grant, implemented in 2011, created a partnership of local educational institutions, government agencies and nonprofits to support residents in the Jackson Triangle. Neighborhoods in South Hayward and downtown have been added to provide educational and social support for those communities.

The original grant of $5 million was augmented in 2023 by $6 million annually for a total of $30 million until 2027.

“A child's Zip Code or census tract should not define their socio-economic life outcomes," the director said. "Supporting children from cradle to career will take a village of people and institutions to make this a reality.”

County's 911 Provider at Hayward Rotary Monday, April 14

Alameda County's ambulance service begins at Falck Northern California on Industrial Boulevard in Hayward, where David Torres is managing director. He will be the featured presenter when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for lunch at noon on Monday, April 14, at 1074 B St. The company began providing 911 emergency response in 2019, providing ambulance services, medical transportation and patient logistics to serve the region of 1.6 million residents with cutting edge clinical and operational technology.

New City Manager is Hayward Rotary's Featured Speaker April 7

New Hayward City Manager Ana Alvarez will be the featured speaker when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for lunch at noon Monday, April 7 at 1074 B St.

Alvarez began in her new position Jan. 9 and most recently served as deputy general manager for East Bay Regional Park District, the largest urban park district in the country with its own police and fire departments and 73 parks spanning nearly 127,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

As city manager, Alvarez serves as the City of Hayward’s chief executive with primary responsibility for overall administration of Hayward’s 900-employee municipal government, oversight of departmental leadership, and implementation of city council priorities, policy direction and legislation.

"She came to the United States, earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and has amassed nearly 30 years of experience in municipal government and special district administration," Rotarian and Hayward mayor Mark Salinas said.

Outstanding Hayward Rotarian 2025

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Rowell Ranch Rodeo Fundraiser 2025

Hayward Rotary Club operates the food and drink concessions during the three days of the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. All the proceeds from our food and drink sales go toward our charitable work in the Hayward community -- specifically, by giving Community Grants to local nonprofit organizations each year. Volunteers are needed to help us sling burgers, fries, and soft drinks to the thirsty crowd! Join in the fun, get to know Rotary Club members as you serve, and experience some of our community's western heritage watching real cowboys "at work and play"; all while we raise money for great causes.

Sign-up at the link below. Together we make a difference!

Click Here to Volunteer!

Rotarians Will Address: 'What Cesar Chavez Means to Me'

Several members of the Hayward Rotary Club will give short presentations on "What Cesar Chavez Means to Me" at the March 31 lunch meeting of the organization at 1074 B St.

March 31 is Cesar Chavez Day in California, honoring the legacy of the Mexican-American human rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers in 1962.

In 2014, former U.S. President Barack Obama declared March 31 a national holiday while California recognizes it as a state holiday. In 1994, a year after his death, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Hayward has a middle school named for him.

Newspaper Article: 'Rotary Club’s values continue to shape and uplift the Hayward community'

There is a wonderful article in the March 28 Cal State East Bay Pioneer newspaper about the Hayward Rotary Club by editor Lisbeth Godoy. A favorite quote: “The Hayward Rotary Club is made up of devoted working and retired individuals from the business, public service, and community sectors of the city, with each playing a vital role in driving positive change. Together, these individuals promote the impact of humanitarian service, ensuring that the Rotary Club’s values continue to shape and uplift the Hayward community.” Check out the full story here: https://thepioneeronline.com/48738/metro/what-is-haywards-rotary-club/

Club's Community Grants Awarded at March 24 Meeting

The South Hayward Parish Food Pantry will receive a Rotary community grant.

Representatives of 17 Hayward area nonprofit organizations have been invited to be on hand when the Hayward Rotary Club meets May 24 to distribute more than $40,000 from its annual Community Grants Program. A club committee, headed by Robert Carlson, has completed extensive evaluation of two dozen applications for this year's funding opportunity. The club has distributed more than $1 million through its grants programs since 2000.

Below is a photo of the The Computer Clubhouse of the Eden Youth and Family Center, a recipient of funds from this year's community grants program.

Annual Rotary Speech Contest is at Noon March 17

Ten students from four Hayward high schools will compete in the annual Hayward Rotary speech contest to be held during the club's regular luncheon on Monday, March 17 at 1074 B St. Members are reminded to arrive at noon so there will be ample time to hear all the participants. Students representing Hayward, Tennyson, Brenkwitz Alternative, and California Crosspoint Academy high schools will compete by speaking on "Service Above Self" before club members and judges. All will receive compensation for competing and the top three will advance to Rotary District 5170-level competition. The event is coordinated by committee chair Ken Rawdon.

Housing Growth in Hayward at Rotary Club Meeting March 10

The fast growing development of all kinds of housing in Hayward will be a presentation the city's housing manager Christina Morales will give to the Hayward Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting Monday, March 10 at 1074 B St.

Morales has been the deputy director of development services for the city since May 2024. Before that she was Hayward's housing division manager for six years after spending 15 years with the city of Oakland in housing related positions.

Legal Cannabis Sales in Hayward Reviewed by Planning Manager at Hayward Rotary Meeting March 3

Hayward Planning Manager Jeremy Lochirco will give a presentation on the impact of legal cannabis businesses on the city at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club at noon, March 3, at 1074 B St.

The city has been issuing commercial cannabis permits for seven years after it qualified 15 businesses in 2018 for either cultivation, delivery, distribution, manufacturing, testing and retail. Not all those businesses opened and last fall the city re-opened the application process in several categories.

In November 2016, state voters approved Proposition 64, legalizing adult use of marijuana. On that ballot, Hayward voters also approved Measure EE, authorizing a business tax on cannabis of up to 15 percent and creating a special fund for using that revenue.

The city’s cannabis tax is currently set at 6%, its sales tax is 10.75%, the state’s cannabis excise tax is 15%, and the state’s sales and use tax is 7.25%.

Taxation, regulation and unstable marijuana prices were blamed for the closing of 32 cannabis businesses in Monterey County. At the federal level, cannabis is considered a Schedule 1 drug, with numerous legal and fiscal restrictions.

Former Hayward Fire Chief to Discuss Urban Wildfires at Feb. 24 Meeting

Rotarian and former Hayward fire chief Garrett Contreras will address the Hayward Rotary Club on "Realities of Urban Wildland Firefighting" at its lunch meeting Feb. 24 at 1074 B St. Currently, he heads 240 Strategies LLC as a consultant. He had a 30-year fire service career and 28 years with the Hayward Fire Department that began as a firefighter-paramedic in 1996 and ended after a 12-year run as chief.

Hayward Rotarians and others can donate to a variety of agencies assisting victims of the Los Angeles area fires through links at the website for Rotary District 5280.

The Hayward Rotary Club Will Not Meet on President's Day, Feb. 17. Next Meeting is Feb. 24

Hayward Rotary Literacy Project Underway

Rotarians, students from Interact clubs, family members and other volunteers turned out Feb. 12 to sort and label books for 1,750 Hayward Unified School District third grade students. The event, at the Sprinkler Fitters Local HQ in Hayward, made sure that 6,770 books would be distributed to 19 public schools. Each student will receive three books of their choosing from the Scholastic catalog, with bonus books provided to each classroom.

Earlier, 102 dictionaries were distributed to third grade students at four Catholic schools. Project chair Tom Ferreira announced that distribution team captains can pick up the boxed books for delivery at the Sprinkler Fitters office before Feb. 21, for distribution by their teams the following week. Hayward public schools are not in session the week of Feb. 17.

Volunteers Invited to Join Hayward Rotary's Literacy Effort

For decades, every third grade student in Hayward has received either a dictionary or their selection of books from the Hayward Rotary Club. Wednesday, Feb. 12, club members will be joined by community volunteers and students in high school Interact clubs to prepare packages of books for delivery to Hayward elementary schools. Pizza and soda will be provided. To volunteer, send an email to project leader Tom Ferreira.

Matters of the Heart: Prevention of Heart Disease is Presentation at Hayward Rotary Feb 10

Internal medicine specialist Leena Gupta, M.D., will give a presentation on the importance of heart health at the Feb. 10 lunch meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club. The club meets at 1074 B St.

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. since 1950. The Centers for Disease Control reports that in the U.S.:

About 695,000 people died from heart disease in 2021: one in every five deaths.
Someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds.
Every year, about 805,000 people have a heart attack
Heart disease costs the country about $239.9 billion each year

Dr. Gupta has 34 years of experience in the medical field, including work at Regional Medical Center of San Jose and St. Rose Hospital in Hayward. She has multiple certifications and publications.

ROTARIANS WHO FLEW AROUND THE WORLD TO HELP FIGHT POLIO WILL ADDRESS FEB. 3 MEETING

Two Rotarians who flew around the world in 90 days in 2023 to raise awareness and money for Rotary’s End Polio Now program will speak to the Hayward Rotary Club during lunch on Monday, Feb. 3. Peter Teahen and John Ockenfels piloted a single piston-engine Cessna around the world making 37 landings in 19 countries, and involved 24 fundraisers. Both pilots are longtime Rotarians and members of the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians. Monday, the pilots will share their story: “Around the World: Flight To End Polio."

'The Economy in 2025' is Presentation of Cal State East Bay Economist Filippo Rebessi to Hayward Rotary Jan. 27

The American economy in 2025 will be a presentation given to the Hayward Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting Jan. 27 by Filippo Rebessi, chair of the Department of Economics at California State University, East Bay. The club meets at noon at 1074 B St. His presentation was rescheduled from Jan. 13.

Professor Rebessi has spoken before the club the last two Januarys and has given an insightful analysis of the country's economic condition and potential future direction.

He earned his bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in economics from the Universita' di Parma in Italy, and also master's and doctoral degrees in economics from the University of Minnesota. He specializes at Cal State East Bay in teaching macroeconomics for business, global economic analysis, and monetary theory.

Rotary Book-Sorting Party Scheduled Jan. 23 Postponed

Because of a delay in delivery of the books by Scholastic, the Hayward Rotary Club book-sorting party for the annual literacy project will not be held Thursday, Jan. 23 and will be rescheduled. Literacy Project chair Tom Ferreira has assigned every Rotarian to a team to arrange presentation of the books to Hayward fourth grade students and their teachers.

The Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation is accepting donations to assist those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County

The Rotary District 5280 Charitable Foundation is accepting donations to assist those affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County. Donations are tax deductible and will directly impact those most devastated by this disaster. The tax ID of the Charitable Foundation is 95-4597691.

The district has also created a centralized resource directory of Rotarians who can provide lodging, meals, transportation, or other forms of assistance. Members have uploaded their offerings along with contact information so those impacted can easily access available resources.

Hayward Rotarians Ring in the Season for Salvation Army

Hayward Rotarians filled the roster needed for our annual two-day service of bell-ringing for the Salvation Army at the Safeway on Foothill Boulevard. Funds raised helped with the Salvation Army's local efforts on homelessness, hunger, and other service.

Hayward Rotarians Celebrate at Sorensdale Center

Hayward Rotarians were on hand for the annual holiday party at the Sorensdale Center that featured games, lunch, dancing, and a visit with Santa. The Sorensdale Center is a facility and program of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The primary purpose of the program is to provide opportunities for people with an intellectual disability (developmental disabilities) to achieve greater independence. The center has been a focus of Hayward Rotary volunteerism and the club committed $50,000 toward construction of a sensory garden, expected to be developed in 2025.

Hayward Rotary Club to Meet at HUSD Performing Arts Center Dec. 16

The Hayward Rotary Club will meet at noon Monday, Dec. 16 for its holiday lunch gathering at the Hayward Unified School District Performing Arts Center at Mt. Eden High School, 2300 Panama St.

Club members will lunch with Interact Club officers and then enjoy a performance by the school chorale in the 528-seat theater. The $27 million facility, built with bond funds, opened in September.

Bay Philharmonic Conductor to Address Hayward Rotary Dec. 2

The next meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club will be held on Monday, Dec. 2, when the featured presenter will be Bay Philharmonic conductor Jung-Ho Pak, described by the New York Times as an artistic director who "radiates enthusiasm." Hayward Rotary meets at 1074 B St.

In the fall of 2023, the Bay Philharmonic moved its orchestral performance venue to the 1,500-seat Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward. On Dec. 2, Mr. Pak will discuss the upcoming holiday performances Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. The latter performance will also be a celebration for all clubs in Rotary District 5170, followed by a special reception at 5 p.m. at a location to be announced.

The concert will include traditional music in addition to performances by the hip-hop dance troupe Full Potential, the Oakland Interfaith Youth Choir, Yoko's Dance and Performing Arts Academy, and the Bay Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.

Since 2006, Pak has been artistic director and conductor of the Cape Symphony in Massachusetts and, prior to that, similar positions with Orchestra Nova, the New Haven Symphony, and the San Diego Symphony.

COVID is Still Killing: Message from St. Rose Team at Nov. 18 Hayward Rotary Meeting

COVID-19 is now described as endemic throughout the world according to the CDC's coronavirus division. It is still killing hundreds of people every week, primarily older people and those with other health problems.

At the Hayward Rotary Club luncheon meeting Nov. 18, Subacute Director of Staff Development Ting Yang, team member Jose Rayas, and Subacute Administrator Melissa Katz of St. Rose Hospital will review how COVID ranks as the 10th top cause of death in the U.S. and is projected to kill 50,000 people every year, according to the CDC.

The presentation was arranged by St. Rose Foundation Director and Hayward Rotarian Mike Cobb. The club meets at 1074 B St. in downtown Hayward.

Hayward was a focal point of the nation in the way it addressed COVID testing, vaccinations, and education. And many Hayward Rotarians were at the forefront of those efforts. Sadly, Alameda County was among the state’s leaders in COVID deaths.

Hayward Rotary's Annual Omelet Feed Draws Hundreds to Benefit Our Community Service

Thank you to the Hayward community, Hayward Rotary Club members, and our Interact and Rotaract clubs for making Sunday's annual Omelet Brunch at Chabot College such a success. Our event chairmen Robert Pimentel and Francisco Zermeno and their committee put on a wonderful event that enlisted Hayward Rotarians in a fund-raiser that will profoundly affect our ability to help the community this year and next.

Annual Hayward Rotary Club Omelet Brunch is Sunday, Nov. 10

Rotary District Governor Jill Duerig at Hayward Rotary Club Lunch Nov. 4

Rotary District Governor Jill Duerig will be the featured presenter at the Nov. 4 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club at 1074 B St.

District 5170 is a collection of 63 clubs that together form one of Rotary's strongest districts. Clubs are located in Alameda, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.

Jill Duerig is past president of the Livermore Rotary Club and is involved with numerous nonprofit organizations. An attorney, engineer and certified water treatment plant engineer, her principal interest in Rotary philanthropy is provision of potable water, and she has been involved with water projects in Haiti and other countries.

ATTENTION RED BADGE HOLDERS AND SPONSORS

The Hayward Rotary Club Board of Directors has determined that attendance at District Governor Duerig's presentation will qualify as meeting the blue badge requirement for attendance at a district event.

OMELET BRUNCH DEMO

District Governor Duerig has agreed to participate in demonstrating how to cook an omelet, which will be part of the Nov. 4 meeting in preparation for the club's annual omelet brunch fund-raiser at Chabot College Nov. 10. Any club member who has not picked up their tickets should do so Nov. 4

Hayward Rotarians Will Hear from Founder of Peace Haven, Serving Needy Families Here

The work of Hayward Rotarian and local restaurateur Shubbie Aishida with her nonprofit, Peace Haven, will be the featured presentation at the Oct. 28 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club at 1074 B St.

The photo shows Hayward Rotary Club President Kim Huggett and Shubbie Aishida at the Freedom Store in Hayward, established by Peace Haven and that provides groceries to the needy.

Peace Haven is based in Hayward and was formed during the pandemic. It continues to work with her Golden Safari restaurant to provide meals and groceries to individuals and families, mainly through establishment of The Freedom Store. Her presentation will include a tour of the store, that is just across the parking lot from where the Rotary club will meet.

Club members are encouraged to wear costumes to the Oct. 28 meeting, in recognition of the approach of the Halloween holiday.

The club's board of directors will meet following the regular meeting.

No meeting on Oct 14

The Rotary Club of Hayward will be dark on Monday, Oct 14, in observance of Indigenous people's day. We will meet again Oct 21.

Hayward's Efforts Toward a 'Wellbeing Economy' Addressed at Oct. 21 Meeting

Local resident Rex Green will discuss how our city is addressing the shift to a “wellbeing economy” at the next luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club, Monday, Oct. 21, at 1074 B St.

Green represents the local affiliation of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance, that describes itself as, “a global collaboration of changemakers and disruptors questioning the status quo.”

Green has identified areas that Hayward is moving toward this goal by its efforts addressing homelessness, citizen involvement in planning, planting trees, neighborhood parks, well-stocked libraries, festivals and other events, and funding neighborhood projects.

His career covered work as an evaluation researcher, public health officer, and consultant on evaluation projects in the Bay Area. He is recently retired and is volunteering to spread the word about a well-being economy on behalf of the California hub of the international organization, the Wellbeing Economy Alliance.

Contributions of Hayward Rotary Foundation at Oct. 7 Meeting of Hayward Rotary Club

The extraordinary contributions of the Hayward Rotary Foundation will be presented at its annual meeting at the Hayward Rotary Club at noon, Oct. 7 at 1074 B St.

The foundation is the conduit through which much of the club's philanthropy flows, allowing a significant portion of the club's $140,000 in grant funding for 19 community nonprofit organizations last year. Recent funding included roofing the historic Hill and Valley Club in Hayward, providing turnouts and helmets for firefighting students at the Eden Area ROP, and a section of the agricultural education farm under construction at the Alameda County Fair.

State Senator Aisha Wahab to Address Hayward Rotary Sept. 30

California State Senator Aisha Wahab will be the featured speaker when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for lunch at noon, Sept. 30 at 1074 B St.

She was elected in 2022 representing the cities of Hayward, Union City, Newark, Fremont, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Santa Clara. In 2018 when she won her seat on Hayward City Council, she became the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the United States.

In the last session she had 19 bills passed by the California State Legislature, with five signed into law, so far.

Hayward Rotarians to Hear How Rotary International Declares DEI 'Essential'

Rotary International has made DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) a major point of focus for its 46,000 clubs worldwide, and the Hayward Rotary Club will learn more about this effort at its noon Monday luncheon meeting Sept. 23 when it hears from Oracle executive Cheryl Lander, who leads the effort for Rotary District 5170. The club meets at 1074 B St.

Lander is president of the Silicon Valley Rainbow Rotary Club and chairs the Rotary District 5170 DEI Committee. 52% of employed U.S. adults say they have DEI trainings or meetings at work, and 33% say they have a designated staff member who promotes DEI. Rotary International, which has 1.4 million members, has a statement of purpose that says:

‘We believe that exemplifying and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should be a part of everything we do at Rotary."

Life West Chiropractic College Director to Address Hayward Rotary Sept. 16

The story of how Hayward's Life Chiropractic College West emerged from the pandemic stronger than ever will be told by the director of its health center when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for its regular Monday luncheon on Sept. 16 in downtown Hayward at 1074 B St.

Dr. Koen P. Kallop will bring along a couple of his interns as he gives a presentation on Life West, which boasts it is, "the most genuine and inclusive chiropractic school in the world."

The college has been located in Hayward for 46 years and has 55 faculty and more than 600 students working on chiropractic degrees.

Chiropractors work with people with a wide range of health conditions and symptoms, often best known for neck and back pain. The job of the chiropractor is to assess the biomechanics of the spine to allow for improved function and healing.

Work of Local High School Interact Clubs Featured at Hayward Rotary Sept. 9

A presentation on the extraordinary contributions of Hayward's Interact clubs to the community will be given at the next luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club, to be held at 1074 B St. Interact clubs are the high school equivalent to Rotary and its members are also pledged to "service above self." Support for these clubs, which have already begun their work this school term, has been the highest priority of Rotary Club President Kim Huggett.

Interact club members from Moreau and Mt. Eden high schools were on hand when Hayward Rotary conducted its annual Child Spree event last month, giving backpacks, clothing and school supplies to needy students. More than 30 "Interactors" supported Hayward Rotary at its annual fund-raising efforts during the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, helping to raise more than $40,000 that was given in grants to 16 local nonprofit organizations.

Hayward Rotary's annual Omelet Brunch will be held at Chabot College on Sunday, Nov. 10, with proceeds going toward supporting Interact clubs' participation in leadership programs.

Hayward Rotary's Interact Club chair is Patrick Landeza of Moreau Catholic High School and he will lead the presentation on Sept. 9. There also will be a presentation by the club's Youth Protection Services Officer Mona Diamantine.

Hayward Rotary Grant-Funded Locker Project at All Saints Complete

Hayward Rotary Club President Kim Huggett and youth services committee member Patrick Landeza toured All Saints School with principal Jennifer Diaz and librarian Cara Schott to view the beautiful locker painting project. More than 100 student lockers were painted as if they were book jackets, with each representing a book added to the school library. The project was funded by the club's community grants program. Last year, Hayward Rotary gave more than $140,000 in grants to 19 nonprofit organizations.

Pro Soccer's 'Roots,' Executive to Address Hayward Rotary Aug. 26

Oakland Roots professional soccer team fan engagement executive Andy Sandoval will be the featured speaker when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for lunch Monday, Aug. 26 downtown at 1074 B St.

Since 2023, the team has played its home games at Pioneer Stadium at the Hayward campus of California State University, East Bay in the USL Championship. It was announced last week that the Roots will play 17 games of the the 2025 season at the Oakland Coliseum while continuing negotiations with Oakland to open a temporary stadium in 2026 with 10,000 seats for them and the Oakland Soul women's soccer team.

The Roots play in the USL Championship, one of the most successful professional soccer leagues in the world, reaching a population of more than 84 million and fueling the growth of the game across North America. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation as a Division II professional league, the USL Championship includes a membership of 24 clubs across the continental United States.

Hayward's Sister City of Arandas, Mexico, Featured at Aug. 19 Hayward Rotary Club Luncheon

Fire engines and equipment, Girl Scout cookies, and even socks have been shared with friends and agencies in Hayward's Sister City of Arandas, Mexico. The Hayward Rotary Club will be reminded of the closeness of that relationship at its luncheon meeting Monday, Aug. 19 when Janett Hernández León of the Hayward/Arandas Sister City Committee addresses the organization. The club meets at 1074 B St.

Arandas is a municipality of the Altos Sur region of the state of Jalisco. The city center is located 86 miles east of Guadalajara, the state capital. The population of the town of Arandas was 59,648 as of the 2020. Arandas is situated on the Mesa Centra at an elevation of 6,762 feet and is known among Mexicans as the commercial and manufacturing centre for agricultural products (typically beans and wheat) and its pastoral environment, which allows the city to produce various commercial products such as linseed oil, tequila, pottery, woolen blankets, and straw hats.

Like Hayward, named after founder William B. Hayward, the name Arandas is derived from the original name the existing population received during the 17th century: Santa María de Guadalupe de los Aranda, which was derived from the last name Aranda, one of the founding families.

Families Benefit from Hayward Rotary's Child Spree Event

More than 100 local families benefited from Hayward Rotary's annual Child Spree event Saturday, that paired school children with Rotarians, police officers and firefighters, and athletes from several Cal State East Bay sports teams to buy new clothes from JC Penny at the Southland Mall. They also received new backpacks, school supplies and books.

Child Spree Bingo Card

Child Spree 2024 Do's & Don'ts

Here are the Volunteer Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

You are responsible for the $100 gift card. We have no extras to replace it if it gets lost. Do not lose it.
Keep track of price on items -most are 30% off, and the event is tax free.
Each pay station has one extra card for overages, but try to not be the shoppers who need it!
Students/families will have a list of sizes, etc. First priorities are clothing and shoes. Stay away from jewelry, purses and toys.
After shopping, escort students/families to the back packs and Friends of the Library book tables. If the parent/caregiver is with you, say your fond farewells, and you are done.
If you don’t have a parent/caregiver with you, make sure your student connects with their family member before you part ways (after you collect their backpack, etc.)
Learn about the strengths of your student/family and share yours.

Don’ts:

Please refrain from spending your own money on the shopping spree.
Don’t take photos with kids without a star sticker on their nametag: sticker= photo OK!
Don’t go into a dressing room with the child.

ChildSpree 2024 Do's and Don'ts

Here are the Volunteer Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s:

You are responsible for the $100 gift card. We have no extras to replace it if it gets lost. Do not lose it.
Keep track of price on items -most are 30% off, and the event is tax free.
Each pay station has one extra card for overages, but try to not be the shoppers who need it!
Students/families will have a list of sizes, etc. First priorities are clothing and shoes. Stay away from jewelry, purses and toys.
After shopping, escort students/families to the back packs and Friends of the Library book tables. If the parent/caregiver is with you, say your fond farewells, and you are done.
If you don’t have a parent/caregiver with you, make sure your student connects with their family member before you part ways (after you collect their backpack, etc.)
Learn about the strengths of your student/family and share yours.

Don’ts:

Please refrain from spending your own money on the shopping spree.
Don’t take photos with kids without a star sticker on their nametag: sticker= photo OK!
Don’t go into a dressing room with the child.

Cherryland Center Will Host Hayward Rotary Aug. 12

The $22 million Cherryland Community Center will be the site for the Aug. 12 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club, hosted by the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. The featured speaker will be HARD General Manager Jim Wheeler, who will give an overview of the general State of the District.

HARD was created to provide park and recreation services for over 309,000 residents. Its boundaries encompass a 100 square-mile area, which includes the City of Hayward and the unincorporated communities of Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Ashland, Cherryland, and Fairview. HARD provides services through 133 full time staff members within an overall operating budget of $33.9 million. The Cherryland Community Center took the combined effort of the County of Alameda and HARD to make the facility a reality. The 17,500-square-foot center at 278 Hampton Road includes three multi-purpose rooms for activities and classes, a reading/computer room with a satellite Alameda County library, and a large community room. The center opened in October 2021.

The club will not meet at its usual location at 1074 B St., on Aug. 12. The lunch and presentation will both occur at the Cherryland Community Center, which has ample parking on Hampton and Boston roads and at Meek Park.

Planning Manager Will Announce 'Something Big' in Review of Future Projects for Hayward Rotary Aug. 5

Hayward Planning Manager Jeremy Lochirco will review the top residential, industrial, and commercial projects in the city's pipeline during an address to the Hayward Rotary Club at noon on Monday, Aug. 5. Lochirco said among the projects he would discuss would be one that is "something big" to influence the city's economic development, not including the Hayward Exchange @ 92 project shown here. Recent developments have included investments in Hayward by Tesla, Amazon, Sprouts and In-N-Out Burger. The club meets at 1074 B St.

Hayward Mayor to Give State of the City Address to Rotary July 29

Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas will give a State of the City address on Monday, July 29 as the featured presenter during a meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club. The mayor is a Hayward Rotarian. The lunch meeting will start promptly at noon at the Masonic Hall at 1074 B St. so that members will have time to finish eating, attend a short business meeting, and cross the street to where the address will be held at 1 p.m. in an auditorium at the downtown Century Theaters.

The theater complex is part of a section of businesses at the southwest corner of B Street and Foothill Boulevard that was bought back by the city earlier this year for $8.5 million.

Rotarians must wear their lapel pins for entry to the theaters.

Athletics Nation 'Blogfather' to Address Hayward Rotary July 22

Nico Pemantle the ‘blogfather’ of Athletics Nation, a prominent Oakland A’s fan site, will be the featured presenter at the July 22 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club at 1074 B St. From a fan perspective, he will review developments regarding the Oakland Athletics' attempts to play in Sacramento next year, and eventually build a stadium on the Las Vegas strip, largely at Nevada taxpayers' expense. Pemantle is also a singer-songwriter, comedian, and school teacher.

Hayward Inventor of Dyslexia Device to Address Hayward Rotary July 15

Hayward inventor Jane Guy, who has developed a newly-patented writing tool that mitigates dyslexia, will be the featured presenter at the July 15 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club. An estimated 40 million American adults have dyslexia, a neurological disorder causing difficulties with reading comprehension. It contributes to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words, making it difficult to read. Guy has several patented inventions, but for more details on her latest, go to: www.darsapathways.com.

New President to Address Hayward Rotary July 8

Kim Huggett, the 103rd president in the history of the Hayward Rotary Club, will give a presentation on the club's goals for the program year that began July 1 when it meets on Monday, July 8 at noon at the Masonic Hall, 1074 B St., Hayward.

Huggett, who serves on four local nonprofit boards of directors, is former president and CEO of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and, prior to that, had stints as public relations director for Cal State East Bay and the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.

Highlights of the year are expected to include the annual Child Spree book and backpack giveaway, omelet feed at Chabot College, book distribution to every third grade student in the city, and concession service at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo. The club's fund-raising efforts allowed it to give more than $138,000 in community and project grants to nonprofit organizations last year.

Habitat for Humanity Hayward Projects Reviewed at Hayward Rotary June 17

Kevin Dowling, senior major gifts officer for Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley, will be the featured presenter on Monday, June 17 for the luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club.

Habitat for Humanity has a significant presence in Hayward, and currently new homes are under construction on A Street. The organization offers programs in Hayward to make affordable home repairs and arranges reduced utility rates for low-income households. Habitat also administers Measure A1 Bond funds, for Hayward that empowers low-income homeowners to remain safely in their homed with affordable, low-interest deferred payment loans to qualified homeowners.

Dowling is a former development director for Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, development director for the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Leandro, and served for 12 years on the Hayward City Council.

Future of Hayward's Shoreline Discussed at Hayward Rotary June 10

The future of Hayward's shoreline, which is threatened by rising tides, will be the subject of a presentation to the Hayward Rotary Club on June 10 from Devan Reiff of the Hayward Area Shoreline Protection Agency.

The organization was established in 1970 and is a joint powers agency consisting of representatives from the City of Hayward, East Bay Regional Park District and the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. It has completed a long-range master plan that identifies adaptation measures to prepare for sea level rise, ranging from natural solutions, such as wetland restoration, to man-made improvements, like levees and sea walls.

Through the efforts of HASPA and its member agencies, over 3,150 acres have been purchased for public ownership, preserved, restored, or are in the process of being returned to wetlands, marshes, and protected uplands.

Reiff is a principal planner with the East Bay Regional Park District.

Current chair of HASPA is Hayward City Council Member Francisco Zermeno.

Demotion Party

RSVP: here

Chancellor of Chabot-Las Positas District to Address Hayward Rotary June 3

Ronald P. Gerhard, chancellor of the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, will be the featured presenter when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for its luncheon Monday, June 3. Gerhard's presentation is entitled: "Advancing Student Success and Workforce Development Through Regional Collaboration."

Founded in Hayward/San Leandro in 1961, the two-college district serves 29,000 students annually. The district continues to build back enrollment following the pandemic, but is in a financially solid position with sufficient reserves. In June 2016, Voters approved a $950 million facilities bond measure for the district by a 64% margin.

In April, Gerhard was awarded the Distinguished Administrator Award by the Association of California Community College Administrators.

County's First Latina Sheriff, Hayward Born, to Address Hayward Rotary May 20

Twenty-seven years ago Yesenia Sanchez took an entry level position with the Alameda County Sheriff's Department and, in January 2023, became not only its first woman sheriff, but the first Latina. Sheriff Sanchez will address the Hayward Rotary Club at its luncheon meeting Monday, May 20

Born in Hayward, Sanchez started in the Alameda County Sheriff's Office in 1997 as an entry-level technician. In 2001, she became a sworn deputy, in 2020, she became division commander overseeing the Santa Rita Jail.

She is the 23rd sheriff in county history and supervises a $429 million budget, 1,000 sworn officers and 600 non-sworn.

Menu West Booth

Menu Main Booth

Menu Nacho Booth

Menu East Booth

Menu Beer Booth

2025 Rowell Ranch Rodeo food booth

Posted on May 01, 2024

Welcome to the 2025 Rowell Ranch Pro Rodeo!
Below is a list of food booths and the items available at each location.
Use the map to find exactly what you're looking for.

Click on each booth to view the menu

Outstanding Hayward Rotarian 2024

It is with tremendous excitement that we announce Valerie Caveglia is this year's recipient of the prestigious RICHARD W. BOWMAN OUTSTANDING HAYWARD ROTARIAN AWARD!

We are thrilled to be honoring Val and look forward to a wonderful evening!

The OHR event will be on May 6th and begin with Social hour at 5:00pm and dinner will be at 6:00pm. The OHR presentation will follow after dinner.

Members can use their prepaid Lunch tickets (2) for this evening event. Spouses and guests are very welcome but please RSVP here or contact Vrushali.

Local Teens' Uganda Club Will Present at Hayward Rotary April 22

Members of the Hayward High School Uganda Club will give a presentation on its past work in Africa and this summer's project with Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta, at the April 22 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club.

Club advisor Jennifer Gonsalves and some of her students will discuss how the club equips students for traveling, cultural awareness, construction, and social service. In the photo, students are seen posing at a construction project they worked on in Uganda last summer.

This summer's project will involve incoming Hayward High School juniors and seniors in building low-income housing in Georgia. The costs are covered by fundraising, the Gunther Foundation Scholarship, and Hayward Unified School District Youth Enrichment YEP funds.

Their five-day itinerary is here.

More Than $40,000 in Hayward Rotary Grants to be Awarded Monday

Seventeen local organizations will receive more than $40,000 in grant awards when the Hayward Rotary Club meets for its lunch meeting on Monday, March 25. The club has a long tradition of supporting Hayward nonprofits with individual grants ranging from $500 to $3,000. Representatives of this year's recipients will be on hand to make brief comments on how their grant allocation will be used.

The application process begins with announcement of the program each fall. This year's applications were reviewed and scored by a committee of Rotarians chaired by retired Chabot College President Bob Carlson. Other committee members are Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas, Valerie Caveglia, Robin Wilma, Mona Diamantine, and Barbara Halliday.

New Hayward Chief of Police Addresses Hayward Rotarians March 18

New Hayward Chief of Police Bryan Matthews, a Hayward Rotarian, will address the Hayward Rotary Club at its lunch meeting on Monday, March 18. He is a career Hayward police officer and has taken command of a department he led in a temporary and acting capacity since September 2022.

Matthews, whose appointment was effective Wednesday, Jan. 3, succeeds Chief Toney Chaplin, who retired after a 33-year career in policing.

Chief Matthews takes charge of a department with 197 sworn police officer and 136.5 non-sworn professional staff positions.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to give back to the community that, in many ways, raised me," the new chief said after his appointment by the Hayward City Council. "Hayward holds a very special place in my heart."

At the Rotary meeting, Matthews will talk about how he plans to move the Hayward Police Department forward through, "listening, strengthening relationships, implementing problem-solving strategies, and providing high levels of customer service.”

Assessor Phong La to Address Hayward Rotary Feb. 5

Editorial: Elect Phong La as new Alameda County assessor

Alameda County Assessor Phong La will be the keynote presenter at the Feb. 5 luncheon meeting of the Hayward Rotary Club.

The position of assessor is to locate and identify ownership of all taxable property in the county and decide if it is subject to reappraisal when it changes ownership. He has orchestrated a massive reorganization for his office to address historic highs in real estate construction and business development.

He was first elected in 2019 and became even more popular locally by right away joining the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and speaking to the Hayward Rotary Club. He won re-election outright in the primary of June 2022 when he had no opposition and his current term ends Jan. 4, 2027.

He has lived in Alameda County since 1980, when his family moved to the U.S. as refugees from Vietnam and he was two years old. They started a small business and supported Phong, his brother, and a sister as they went through James Logan High School in Union City. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from UC Davis in 2000 and a law degree from UC Hasting's Colleges of the Law in San Francisco.

He lives with his wife and daughter in the city of Alameda.

Hayward Rotary Champagne omelet brunch

Please join us for our Champagne Omelet Brunch fundraiser, Sunday, November 12, 2023, 8:30am-1:00pm. Enjoy a delicious custom omelet, talk with community leaders, and support even more great projects in Hayward. Tickets are only $17 for adults and $5 for children (12y and younger).

Click here for tickets.

For 100 years, Hayward Rotary has been honored to partner with local leaders and organizations to provide community benefits such as Silva Pediatric Clinic, the pavilion in the Japanese Garden, a 10-15 bed residential unit in the Hayward Navigation Center, the children's playground at Giualini Plaza, books for every third grade student in Hayward, and the Children's Reading room at the downtown library. Contributions to these and dozens of other projects, grants, and community services are supported through the club's fundraising efforts such as this signature event.

More info: https://haywardrotary.org/event/rotary-champagne-omelet-brunch-fall-2023-3/

Dark for Memorial Day

We will be dark on Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. We meet again on June 3.

State of the City

On Monday, March 20, Mayor Mark Salinas will present the State of the City to our club.

Mayor Mark Salinas is a proud Hayward native. He was born at St. Rose Hospital and grew up in South Hayward in the Schafer Park Neighborhood. After graduating from Hayward High he attended Chabot College and later transferred to San Francisco State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in La Raza Studies and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Public Policy Studies.

He started his career in education 26 years ago at San Francisco State University. Today, he teaches Ethnic Studies and History at Chabot College and occasionally is a lecturer in the Ethnic Studies Department at California State University, East Bay. For 29 years he has been a volunteer at The Kids’ Breakfast Club, a non-profit organization in Hayward responsible for feeding thousands of deserving children and their families when school isn't in session. For the past 17 years, he has served as the Executive Director.

In 2010, he was elected to the Hayward City Council. After two successful re-elections, in 2022 he was elected Mayor.

Hayward Rotary Community Grants Application

Posted by Douglas M. Den Hartog, Sr. on Nov 06, 2019

Every year, your Hayward Rotary Club raises money to support other not-for-profit organizations that serve the Hayward community. During this 2019-2020 fiscal year, we will grant approximately $25,000 to help fund other groups' projects that serve our friends and neighbors in Hayward. If you and your organization would like to be considered for a grant, we would love to receive your application!

The application packet (click here to access it) contains the instructions and forms you will need to complete to let us know about your interest. Please read the instructions carefully and submit your request by the December 31, 2019 11:59 p.m. deadline. If you have any questions during the process, please email the Hayward Rotary Community Grants chairman, Douglas M. Den Hartog, Sr., at denhdo@thedukegroup.org with the subject line "Community Grants Question".

We look forward to serving Hayward together with you!

Back-to-School "Child Spree"

On Saturday, August 17, Hayward Rotary Club will help 100 Hayward children buy the clothing and supplies they need for school. You can help us achieve this worthy goal. ✏️🖇️📚😀

BACK-TO-SCHOOL "CHILD SPREE"
Saturday, Aug. 17, 2019 at 6:45 a.m.
JCPenney Southland Mall
1 Southland Dr., Hayward

Volunteer chaperones needed! Sign up here

This President is toast!

Let's get together to take a jab, raise a toast and celebrate our outgoing President Sid Hamadeh. On Monday, June 24th, the usual suspects will honor President Sid in the only way they know how! Don't miss an evening of revelry and laughs as Hayward Rotary takes out its Prez!

Fundraiser - 2024 Rowell Ranch Rodeo

Posted by Douglas Den Hartog

Sign-up at the link below. Together we make a difference!

Click here to volunteer!

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An evening in Portugal!

On Monday, February 4th, the Hayward Rotary Club presented a special early evening meeting. A Portuguese inspired dinner and sampling of wines from Portugal were just some of the wonderful things we enjoyed!

11th Annual Champagne Omelet Brunch

Back by popular demand....Hayward Rotary Club proudly presented the 11th annual Champagne Omelet Brunch! We served over 400 mouthwatering omelets made to order by Hayward Rotarians and celebrity chefs. Attendees enjoyed raffles, champagne, mimosas, beverages and so much more.

CHAMPAGNE OMELET BRUNCH

Sunday, February 10, 2019

8:00am – 12:30pm
Moreau High School Event Center

27170 Mission Blvd., Hayward

All proceeds fund Hayward Rotary's Literacy Projects and Community Grants benefiting Hayward youth and families.

Community Grants 2018-2019

Posted on Nov 24, 2018

Thank you for your interest in the Hayward Rotary Community Grants Program! Your applications packet is available starting November 25, 2018 and is due on December 31, 2018. The Rotary Club of Hayward enjoys supporting not-for-profit organizations that benefit members of our community and has been doing so since 1922. Please click on this link for your grant application.

documents/en-us/07c268f8-6f66-49db-b7e8-4b70773321ae/1

Back-to-School "Child Spree" - August 18

Hayward Rotary Club's annual "Child Spree" back-to-school shopping event,provided 100 Hayward children the back-to-school clothing and supplies they needed for their upcoming school year. All 100 participating children have been identified in partnership with the Hayward Police Department Youth and Family Services Bureau. Event sponsored by Hayward Rotary Club in partnership with JCPenney, Southland Mall, and Friends of Hayward Library.

Member Spotlight: Congressman Eric Swalwell

Member spotlight: CONGRESSMAN ERIC SWALWELL, Hayward Rotary Club member since 2013.

Photo: Congressman Eric Swalwell meets with constituents in Hayward at Eko Coffee and Tea House in 2016.

Growing up in what now is California’s Fifteenth Congressional District taught Eric Swalwell a lot about hard work, strong principles, and planning for a brighter future.The oldest of four boys...

Rodeo fundraiser 2018 - Volunteers wanted

Giddy-up! 🐎

Hayward Rotary Club will once again operate the food and drink concessions at the Rowell Ranch Rodeo, taking place in 2018 on May 17, 18, 19, and 20. Proceeds from the food and drink sales help our charitable work in the Hayward community, including Community Grants to local nonprofit organizations. Volunteers are wanted to help us sling burgers, fries, and soft drinks to the thirsty crowd! Join in the fun, get to know Rotary Club members, and experience western heritage watching real cowboys "at work and play"; all while we raise money for great causes.

Click here for more info and to sign up

Outstanding Hayward Rotarian Dinner Meeting

Posted on Mar 13, 2018

The Richard W. Bowman Outstanding Hayward Rotarian Award is given annually to the Hayward Rotary Club member who best exemplifies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”, and whose contributions in the five Avenues of Service distinguish them among their peers. It is the highest honor Hayward Rotary Club bestows on its Members.

Make plans to join us on Monday Evening, April 9 @ 5:30 p.m. for a special Club Dinner meeting to honor this year's Outstanding Hayward Rotarian recipient - Ms. Pamela Russo

Please click here to RSVP by April 2nd

'Tis the Season of Giving - Or is it?

Hayward Rotary Scholar Awards

The Hayward Rotary Scholar awards recognize students who demonstrate extraordinary skill and achievement in school. The award is bestowed upon Hayward students who achieve perfect scores on their standardized tests, perfect attendance, and perfect citizenship at school for a full year. In 2017, five students achieved Hayward Rotary Scholar status.

This is who we are

We are Hayward’s premier service club since 1922, over 90 members strong. We are a non-partisan, non-political group of people united in giving back to our community. Hayward Rotary Club members come from many diverse walks of life. We are leaders in business, education, government, nonprofit, and community service.

Do you have what it takes to become a Rotarian? Learn more about who we are and how to become a Rotarian by visiting our weekly meetings and our website. Visit our membership page.

Celebrating 17 years of children's literacy

This past October, Hayward Rotarians gave every Hayward third grade student - over 2,000 in all - the tools they need to grow their literacy skills for a lifetime. We are celebrating our 17th year of the Children's Literacy Project. Here's a look at the results.

Gearing up for back-to-school

Each year in August, Hayward Rotarians help 100 kids get the gear they need for school at the Hayward Rotary Club "Back-to-School Child Spree" event. The 2017 event was a smashing success. View photos from the event.

The Last Lone Survivor

President Sean Reinhart has officially survived his year as Rotary Club president, and (barely!) managed to defend the Rotary Bell against multiple contenders who tried to steal the prize. Here's a video recap of the adventure. Turn up the sound for maximum triumph!

Monday, June 12: RUSSELL CITY BLUES

Russell City was an unincorporated area of Hayward, a community of modest houses and small farms along the bay. In its heyday, Russell City was famed for its clubs with dirt floors, bootleg electricity and a steady stream of musicians playing a style of Delta Blues. During the early part of their careers, artists such as Big Joe Turner and Big Mama Thorton played Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana style blues in Russell City. West Coast Blues music eventually influenced the traditional sound when horns replaced the harmonica and West Coast Blues was born.

Ronnie Stewart is the producer of the 18th Annual Hayward - Russell City Blues Festival, scheduled this year in City Hall Plaza in July. Join us for a special preview of the Russell City Blues sound with an exclusive keynote address to Hayward Rotary Club

RUSSELL CITY BLUES

Featuring Ronnie Stewart and A.T. Stephens

Monday, June 12, 2017 at 12:00 noon

Masonic Lodge, 1074 "B" Street, Hayward

Guests are welcome. Lunch is $20 at the door

Woolly 'n Wild with Sulphur Creek Nature Center

Wendy Winsted is the Site Coordinator for the Sulphur Creek Nature Center. Ms. Winsted graduated from Cal State Hayward with a BA in Environmental Studies and a minor in Anthropology. She has been involved with both Wildlife and Education for almost 20 years. She worked in Sulphur Creek’s Animal Hospital for about seven years before becoming the Director of Wildlife Education and then the Site Coordinator. Ms.Winsted will deliver her popular interactive presentation, "Woolly 'N Wild at Sulphur Creek Nature Center," with the help of some furry and feathered friends. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind Hayward Rotary Club exclusive event. It is sure to be *un-fur-gettable*

WOOLLY N' WILD at SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER

Presented by Wendy Winsted and Friends

Monday, June 5, 2017 at 12:00 noon

Masonic Lodge, 1074 "B" Street, Hayward

Guests are welcome. Lunch is $20 at the door

State of the City with Mayor Barbara Halliday

What new projects and policies are coming down the pike in Hayward? How does the city government work with partners in the private sector to build a stronger community? Who will the next generation of Hayward leaders be? Where can we join the conversation?

We're honored to have our friend, Mayor Barbara Halliday deliver her popular keynote address, "State of the City Update," at Hayward Rotary Club, Monday at 12:00 noon. Please join us for this special luncheon event.

Mayor Barbara Halliday
"State of the City Update"
Monday, May 22 at 12:00 noon
Masonic Lodge, 1074 B Street, Hayward
Guests are welcome. Lunch is $20 at the door

"Washington Update" with Congressman Eric Swalwell

Congressman Eric Swalwell will be our featured guest at the Hayward Rotary Club luncheon at 12:00 noon on Monday, May 8. The Congressman will present his keynote address, "Washington Update." Please join us for this special luncheon event.

Growing up in what now is California’s Fifteenth Congressional District taught Eric Swalwell a lot about hard work,strong principles,and planning for a brighter future. The oldest of four boys and son to Eric Sr., a retired police officer, and Vicky, who works as an administrative assistant, Swalwell was raised and attended public schools in the East Bay. A Division I soccer scholarship was his ticket to becoming the first person in his family to go to college. After earning undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Maryland, he returned to the East Bay to serve as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office for seven years. He then was elected to the Dublin City Council.

Eric Swalwell in 2012 was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing California’s Fifteenth Congressional District which includes Hayward. Now in his second term, he’s working hard to bring new energy, ideas, and a problem-solving spirit to Congress, with a focus on advancing policies that support equality, opportunity, and security.

Congressman Swalwell serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and believes protecting Americans is Congress’ most solemn duty. He is the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), responsible for the oversight, policy, activities, and budget of the CIA. He also serves on the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, where he addresses climate change and advocates for renewable energy.

Our World is Changing...

MONDAY, APRIL 24

AT THE DAWN OF A NEW CENTURY

Hayward Rotary Club Presidential Address

Sean Reinhart is President of Hayward Rotary Club. He will deliver the annual Club Assembly presidential address on April 24, 2017. Hayward Rotary Club is fast approaching its 100th year of service to the Hayward community. The Club has deep roots and a rich legacy in Hayward going all the way back to the turn of the 20th century in the early 1900's. Today, at the dawn of a new 21st century, the world around us is changing more rapidly than ever before. The community of Hayward is experiencing incredible change, with new growth and progress developing at a pace unlike any we have ever encountered in our lifetimes. What does the future hold for the community of Hayward? What is the Rotary's Club's role in that future? We are at a unique time in history. Future generations will one day look back at this time with inquiry and wonder. The steps we take today will have a profound effect on generations to come. Join the conversation as we explore these questions and more from our unique vantage point in history.

SEAN REINHART

Hayward Rotary Club Presidential Address

Monday, Apr. 24, 2017 at 12:00 noon

Masonic Lodge, 1074 "B" Street, Hayward

Guests are welcome. Lunch is $20 at the door

Sean Reinhart is a long time Hayward native and public servant. He grew up in Hayward's Eden Gardens and Palma Ceia neighborhoods, where he proudly received his education at Hayward public schools including Mt. Eden High School, Chabot College, and California State University, Hayward where he earned his Bachelor's degree in English. He earned his Master's degree in Library and Information Science from San José State University. Mr. Reinhart considers himself fortunate to have found opportunities to work since his first job age 16, which enabled him to earn and pay his own way through his higher education. He has a long career in public service including the past nine years with the City of Hayward as the Director of Libraries and Community Services overseeing the City's public libraries and education programs, social services and community development block grants, and affordable housing. He joined Hayward Rotary Club in 2010, and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2012. He was elected President of Hayward Rotary Club in 2016.

Hayward Rotary Club is the premier service organization serving the Hayward community since 1922. Our weekly luncheons feature the best and brightest keynote speakers.

WANTED! Rodeo fundraiser volunteers

Posted by AT Stephens on Apr 15, 2017

Contact event chair George Pacheco or volunteer coordinator A.T. Stephens.

Hayward Rotary Club - Community Grant Awards 2017

The Hayward Rotary Community Grant Awards program is focused on services to Hayward children and families. Funding for the Community Grant Awards is made possible through the generous donations of money, time, and volunteer effort by Hayward Rotarians throughout the year. Major annual fundraisers include the Champagne Omelet Brunch and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo food and drink concessions. Hayward Rotary Club and Foundation have provided millions of dollars to support local services and capital projects over the years. The Community Grant Awards are presented annually. Learn more

Hayward Rotary Scholars 2016-17

Every child in Hayward has the potential to reach extraordinary achievements. The Hayward Rotary Scholar program, now in its fourth year, honors students who distinguish themselves among their peers by demonstrating phenomenal skill and achievement in school. Each year, students are given this prestigious award who achieve three criteria:

(1) Perfect scores on state standardized tests;

(2) Perfect attendance at school for an entire school year;

(3) Excellent behavior and role modeling for peers at school.

Hayward Rotary Scholars are presented with commemorative medals and with custom banners bearing their names and achievements which are then permanently hung from the rafters of their schools for all to see. Scholars also receive generous gift bags filled with prizes. Out of 21,000 students in Hayward schools, five stellar students met all the criteria in 2016-17, and were named Hayward Rotary Scholars. Learn more

Hayward Rotary "Child Spree" Helps Students Get Ready for School

Posted by Sean Reinhart on Aug 22, 2015

HAYWARD, CALIF -- Last Saturday, more than one hundred students received new clothes and a backpack full of school supplies thanks to the Hayward Rotary Club’s annual Child Spree program. On Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7a.m., eager K-8 students met at JC Penney at Southland Mall and were paired with a Rotary Club member or other community volunteer. Together, using a list of needed items identified by the parent and a $100 gift card, they purchased essential clothing needed to start school. JC Penney offered 25 percent off the entire purchase and waived sales tax, so the children were able to purchase more essential back-to-school clothing.

JC Penney staff volunteered to work the early shift in order to share the joy with the children and their parents and the Nestle kiosk opened early to offer discounted coffee and snacks for the families.

“This is the 14th year that Hayward Rotary has had the opportunity to sponsor an event that meets the needs of so many deserving children,” said Janiene Langford, one of the event coordinators for Rotary. “It is gratifying that so many businesses, organizations, and individuals in Hayward continue to step up and support this program.”

Student participants were identified in partnership with the Hayward Police Department’s Youth and Family Services Bureau. At the conclusion of their shopping spree, the students picked out a backpack and book donated by Friends of the Hayward Library.

During the event, parents and guardians were able to participate in a resource fair with tables from Hayward Adult School’s Youth Enrichment Services, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center, Hayward Area Recreation and Park District, Life Chiropractic College West, Hayward Library’s Literacy Plus, Hayward Promise Neighborhood, Hayward Police Department’s Youth and Family Services, and Kinship Support Services.

More than 200 community members joined Hayward Rotary in this project, including staff from Moreau Catholic High School, volunteers from the Boy Scouts of America, Chabot College students, the Cal State East Bay volleyball team, and Redwood Chapel Community Church.

In addition to JC Penney, businesses and organizations who helped to sponsor the project included Fremont Bank, Calpine, Costco Wholesale, Give Something Back Office Supply, Kaiser Permanente, United Association Local Union 342, Sakura of America, and Friends of Hayward Library.

Child Spree has helped provide new clothing for students for 14 years through partnerships with Mervyn’s, Target, and JCPenney. To volunteer to help out in the future, contact the Hayward Rotary Club at P.O. Box 629, Hayward, CA 94543

Rotary "Dragon-Tini" Mixer is February 26th, 2015

Rotary "Dragon-tini" Mixer

Thursday Feb. 26, 5:30-7:30pm

HAHS Center for History & Culture

22380 Foothill Blvd, Hayward

Wear your best dragon colors. Delicious appetizers provided by Cannery Cafe. $5 entry includes one Dragon Martini or beer/ wine/ soft drink.

Sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Castro Valley, F.U.N. Sunset, Hayward and San Leandro, with generous support from the Hayward Area Historical Society.

For more information visit: www.bitly.com/dragontini

Hayward Rotary's Annual Omelet Brunch is a Flipping Success!

Posted by Brian Schott on Oct 06, 2012

Hayward Rotarians and their guest Chefs gathered under the Grand White Tent at St. Rose Hospital to make Omelets and serve our community guests a delicious, low cost Champagne Brunch to raise money for our Community at the Hayward Rotary Foundation's 4th Annual Champagne Community Fundraiser Brunch.

Happy 90th Birthday Hayward Rotary!

Posted by Brian Schott on May 31, 2012

90thBDcake

On June 1, 1922, the Rotary Club of Hayward was chartered, 15 years after Rotary International was started. Now, 90 years later, the same spirit and energy that was there continues to be present in the Hayward Rotary Club. Click here for more....