Making The World A Better Place... It's A Team Effort

The Rotary Club of Coronado recently raised $185,000 net through its annual auction on September 6 at the Hansen Mansion to support global efforts to eradicate polio and funding for local mental health initiatives through Safe Harbor Coronado.

Rotary International is a global service organization with more than 1.4 million members dedicated to tackling humanitarian challenges, following the motto ‘Service Above Self.’ Since 1985, Rotary has made the eradication of polio its signature cause through the End Polio Now campaign, partnering with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda

Gates Foundation. Poliomyelitis is a severely contagious flu-like disease that, in severe cases, causes paralysis or death. 99.9% of cases have been reduced, with only 24 cases remaining in Afghanistan and four in Pakistan.

According to Beth Garrow, the Rotary spokesperson for San Diego District 5340, Coronado’s club has raised over three million dollars to end polio over the past ten years. “The money that we raise in our area and globally goes to support vaccinations, surveillance of the disease, lab work, and helps support volunteers; they travel on foot and by horseback through hard to reach climates to deliver these vaccinations,” she said.

Jaqueline Trapp, the Youth Services Director of Rotary Coronado, said that because some people may have not heard of polio or because it doesn’t reach younger generations in the media, Rotary Coronado “wanted to [incorporate an additional charity to their fundraiser] this year that would attract all demographics and be relatable to more people.”

Rotary considered several San Diego charities as potential co-beneficiaries and selected Safe Harbor after a thorough interview process, according to Trapp. The decision, made last year, was guided by criteria such as being a local, health-oriented organization in San Diego county that presented a clear plan on how the funds would be used. “If we give to a large organization, our donation would be a small bucket in a large pool,” said Trapp, “so we wanted to give to an organization where we would feel that we really had an impact.”

Danielle Maske, the Executive Director of Safe, said her organization is focused on increasing connection and community through counseling programs to ensure that no one feels isolated. “We’re identifying different [demographics] and experiencing a disconnect [in Coronado], from middle schoolers that aren’t connecting without their technology; to empty nesters figuring out the next phase of the journey; to military spouses who haven’t had a chance to meet new friends; and to seniors who are homebound due to medical issues or grief,” she said.

“As this is a community initiative, we will be developing smaller, more intimate efforts to address the identified communities and alleviate their isolation.” Last year, over 9,000 citizens in Coronado experienced some piece of Safe Harbor’s programming.

Maske expressed her gratitude for being chosen as a co-beneficiary. “It means so much to be selected and to have Coronado Rotary’s support behind Safe Harbor Coronado. Our team and the evidence-based and best practices that we follow are here to foster a stronger and more resilient community,” she said.

Safe helped to promote the auction night through social media and their newsletter. “The event was a much bigger deal than it has ever been,” said Kitt Williams, a member and former co-chair of the Rotary Coronado Wine Tasting Committee.

Over 200 people were in attendance. As people walked in the entryway, they would sign in, receive a wine glass, and a brochure with information, according to Trapp. Live music played throughout the mansion and into the backyard under a full moon with backyard fairy lights and moonballs which created a market lighting ambience.

“This event was one of the most beautiful it’s ever been,” Williams said, adding that she noticed camaraderie, as the Rotarians were able to bring more friends along.

Attendees walked around and explored a presentation of each of the lots. Previous to the live auction, Rotary held a community auction online open to the public. Items included golf for four at the local golf course; lunch out; a personal visit from Santa to your home to read to your children and have hot chocolate and open a present.

Silent auction and ‘raise the paddle’ prizes at the event included an exclusive golf experience in Palm Desert with two condos, artwork, a jewelry-making party, and a sip-andpaint event, and an assortment of experiences unique to Coronado.

Megan Keller, a member of Rotary Coronado who attended the event, said one prize in particular caught her and her husband’s attention. The live auction closed with a themed progressive dinner created by three families, with each course hosted at a different home and following a 50s, 60s and 70s decade theme.

“We were thrilled [to win], not only because we were able to support both causes but because Brian and I wanted to buy that as a thank you to help those who have helped us for Cade’s Day,” said Keller. Their contribution to Safe aligned with Cade’s Day, a recent heartfelt fundraiser dedicated to suicide awareness and prevention, and a tribute to the memory of Cade, her son, who was a vibrant and passionate 16-year-old whose life was tragically cut short.

“We thought, ‘what a wonderful opportunity that we could use this for our closest 20 friends to say thank you,’” she added.

The funds are still in the process of being divided up to End Polio and Safe Harbor. Those who donated over 1,000 could decide where they wanted their money to be allocated. Once the funds are fully distributed, they will fuel both Rotary’s international polio eradication efforts and Safe Harbor will have the means to comfort and uplift more residents in Coronado.

Comforting and uplifting more residents in Coronado