Rotary Club of Carmel Valley

06/14/2026

Our President Russ Campbell and Leesa Brown joined the Monterey Rotary today for a fun hike filled with fellowship!

Today! Our club members, joined by members of the Carmel Valley Rotary Club, after a hike at Palo Corona Regional Park in Carmel Valley. Also included in photo are representatives of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, who led the hike.

06/10/2026

We’re honored to see our PICS Program featured on the Young Adults with Epilepsy blog!

After receiving a $2,000 PICS grant from students at Carmel Middle School, Young Adults with Epilepsy shared a powerful story about breaking down epilepsy stigma through education, empathy, and conversation. Their article highlights how young people can make a meaningful impact when given the opportunity to learn, lead, and serve.

Thank you to the students of Carmel Middle School for their thoughtful research and grant selection, and thank you to Young Adults with Epilepsy for the important work you do to support and empower young adults living with epilepsy.

Read their blog below and learn how one generation is helping change the conversation. 💜

A personal reflection on epilepsy stigma, a childhood seizure, and a classroom of students who revealed how empathy begins when fear is replaced with understanding.

06/09/2026

We’re proud to see the incredible work of JCM United and Abraham’s Tent featured in The Carmel Pine Cone!

The article highlights the leadership of our own Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum, a past president of the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley, and the dedicated volunteers who provide hot, nutritious meals each week to individuals and families in need throughout our community.

Abraham’s Tent serves approximately 250 meals each Thursday in Marina and also provides meals to individuals in Salinas. What began as a collaboration among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faith leaders has grown into a remarkable example of compassion, service, and community partnership.

The Rotary Club of Carmel Valley is honored to support JCM United through our ongoing weekly contributions and applauds the volunteers who dedicate countless hours to ensuring no neighbor is forgotten.

Congratulations to Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum, JCM United, and all of the volunteers who make this important work possible.

06/04/2026

🎉 Hear directly from the students of Carmel Middle School’s Leadership Class as they share their experience participating in our Rotary PICS (Partners in Community Service) Program!

Through this hands-on initiative, students learn about local nonprofits, community needs, philanthropy, and the grant-making process. After researching and evaluating several organizations, this year’s class selected Young Adults with Epilepsy as the recipient of a $2,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley.

We are proud to empower the next generation of community leaders and changemakers while supporting organizations making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Congratulations to Young Adults with Epilepsy, and thank you to the students for their thoughtful work and dedication to service! 💙💛

06/04/2026

More photos from our Top 100 Students Recognition Night! 🎓

Thank you to everyone who joined us as we celebrated the achievements and bright futures of Carmel High School’s outstanding students. ✨

05/26/2026

Through our P.I.C.S. (Partners in Community Service) Program, local students are empowered to research nonprofits, hear directly from community leaders, and vote on where Rotary grant funding should go — giving youth a real voice in creating impact.

This year, students at Carmel River Elementary selected the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), an incredible organization that helps individuals with physical disabilities pursue active lifestyles through adaptive sports, equipment grants, training, and community support.

We are proud to support organizations that break barriers, build confidence, and create life-changing opportunities through sport and inclusion. 💙💛

05/26/2026

Through our P.I.C.S. (Partners in Community Service) Program, our club was honored to support Pass the Word Ministry: a local nonprofit that has spent years serving Monterey Peninsula residents experiencing homelessness with compassion, dignity, meals, clothing, hygiene supplies, and hope.

Since 2011, their volunteer-driven outreach has helped provide more than 55,000 meals and thousands of essential items to community members in need. We are proud to support organizations creating real impact right here in Monterey County. 💙💛

05/20/2026

Today, the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley was honored to welcome Dr. Bettye Lusk as our guest speaker. Dr. Lusk shared an insightful and inspiring presentation on the current state of K–12 education in California, the challenges and opportunities facing today’s students, and what communities can do to help ensure every child has access to a quality education.

Dr. Lusk has dedicated decades to public education as a teacher, principal, school board trustee, and statewide education leader. She currently serves as a trustee for the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and recently served as President of the California School Boards Association. Her lifelong commitment to students and educational equity continues to impact schools across California.

We were especially proud to hear Dr. Lusk recognize Rotary’s longstanding commitment to literacy, youth development, scholarships, and educational initiatives throughout our community. From programs like P.I.C.S. and Top 100 to literacy and student support efforts, our club remains committed to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you, Dr. Lusk, for your leadership, wisdom, and passionate advocacy for California’s students and educators. 📚✨

05/13/2026

Today, the Rotary Club of Carmel Valley proudly hosted the culminating celebration of our annual P.I.C.S. Program — Partners in Community Service.

Through this unique Rotary program, students from Carmel River School, Tularcitos School, All Saints Day School, Carmel Middle School, and Carmel High School spent months researching local nonprofit organizations, learning about community needs, interviewing nonprofit leaders, and ultimately selecting organizations to receive grant funding provided through our club.

Today, students took the stage to confidently present $2,000 checks to organizations including Jacob’s Heart, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Salinas Surf Club, Young Adults with Epilepsy, Rancho Cielo Drummond Culinary Academy, and Pass the Word.

P.I.C.S. is about far more than fundraising — it teaches leadership, philanthropy, public speaking, compassion, teamwork, and civic engagement while empowering students to become active changemakers in their communities.

We were honored to welcome Rotary District Governor Brinet Greenlee, community partners, nonprofit leaders, educators, families, and Rotarians as we celebrated the incredible work and heart of these students.

A heartfelt thank you to All Saints Day School for hosting, Woody’s at Del Mesa and Chef Tim Wood for the wonderful lunch, our Rotary partners, donors, teachers, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this inspiring day possible.

This is Rotary in action. 💙💛