At our last meeting our club honored the outgoing administration and welcomed Monica Padilla and her new board.
In addition, many of the club's past presidents gathered for a photo op, as did the incoming board members.
At the June 10th meeting, Del Norte Rotary presented the 2026 Foundation Grantees. The grants, totaling $51,500, reflect our club's ongoing support of our community's most basic needs.
Adult Learning Center
School Back Program
Camp Enchantment
Children's Grief Center NM
Christina Kent
Crossroads for Women
Life Transition
Locker 505
Meals on Wheels
National Dance Institute
Rio Grand Food Bank
Rock at Noonday
Zoe & Zac
Fellow Rotarians,
A year ago, a few toys, two zebras, and a dream set out to bring smiles to hospitalized children for our District’s two Miracle Network Hospitals. The goal was simple: create moments of joy for hospitalized children facing difficult days. After all, every toy creates something priceless: a smile, a laugh, a moment of distraction, and a chance to simply be a child.
Look what District 5520 Rotarians created together
27 Rotary clubs spreading cheer
More than 5,000 toys and gifts were shared with ill children in District 5520
Somewhere tonight, a child is smiling because of you.
Thank you for making Year of Cheer a dazzling success. One year down. Thousands of smiles to go. The adventure continues.
Alice & Berdel
Around the Club
The RYLA camps are being held this month at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. Jill Cook, the camp director, reminded us that visitors are welcome, especially on the designated days.
The boys camp is July 12-18, and the day to visit is Thursday, July 16th.
The girls camp is July 18-24, and the day to visit is Monday, July 20th.
Visitors can come any day, but Jill asked that you contact her first so that she knows you're coming. When you do come, try to stay for lunch. These kids are amazing.
Our club, in conjunction with the Year of Cheer, donated a photo booth to the UNM Children's Hospital. It will bring many a smile to ill children and their families. As you can see, it also works for those present at the dedication.
Way to go Del Norte!
Favorite head-gear for Past District Governors
Rotarians enjoying a concert at the Zoo on June 19th.
More Rotarians! First Friday fun at Maria Montoya-Chavez's.
It Takes a Team
Photography - The redoubtable Ruth Ronan
Reporters - Marilyn Strube
Monica Padilla
Technology - Donette Wagner
Editor - Harris McClain
The President's
Corner
Welcome to a new Rotary year!
It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as your President. Thank you for the trust you've placed in me. I am excited for what we will accomplish together over the next 365 days.
This year's theme is simple:
Come Experience Rotary.
Those three words are more than a slogan. They are an invitation.
An invitation to experience meaningful service. To build lasting friendships. To develop as leaders. To laugh together, solve problems together, and make an impact together. Rotary is not simply something we attend each week. It is something we experience through the people we meet, the lives we touch, and the opportunities we create.
One of the things I shared during my inauguration is that every one of us has a story. Every one of us has a reason we first walked through the doors of a Rotary meeting, and every one of us has a reason we continue to come back. My hope this year is that we rediscover those reasons while creating new ones together.
Our first meeting of the year will be Club Assembly, and I promise it will be a Club Assembly unlike any you've experienced before. It will be interactive, engaging, and yes, fun. More importantly, I hope it sets the tone for the year ahead and gives you a glimpse of where we're going together.
As we begin this journey, I invite you to participate fully. Attend a project you've never attended before. Invite someone to experience Rotary with you. Share your ideas. Ask questions. Give me feedback. Get involved. The strength of our club has always been our members, and together we can continue building on the incredible legacy of Del Norte Rotary.
Marty & Monica Padilla
The RYLA camps are being held this month at the Manzano Mountain Retreat. Jill Cook, the camp director, reminded us that visitors are welcome, especially on the designated days.
