Rotary Club of Fresno

03/22/2026

Water is life—yet millions of people around the world still lack access to clean and safe water. On World Water Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate this precious resource and reflect on how we use it every day. Small actions—like conserving water, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable initiatives—can make a big difference. Together, we can protect our planet’s most vital resource for future generations. 💧

03/20/2026

Happiness doesn’t have to be loud or extraordinary—it can be as simple as a smile, a kind word, or a quiet moment of gratitude. 🌼

On International Day of Happiness, take a pause to appreciate what brings you joy and share a little of it with others. After all, happiness grows when it’s given away. 💛

What made you smile today?

03/19/2026

All Rotarians invited and will benefit from the opportunities and information at our Club Leadership Learning Seminar. Register today!

03/17/2026

Today at the Rotary Club of Fresno…
Jim Winton ( ) shared his musical fundraising with our members and guests. Don Eskes (3GPP) led us in our invocation and pledge of allegiance. President Elect Ann Vermillion introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.

Paul Salazar thanked sponsor Murphy Bank (Rotarian Kirstine McAllister) for serving as the sponsor for the upcoming Rotary After Hours at The Bog House Pub on 3/25.

Bell ringers today included:
-Gia Kazarian for her upcoming workshops for teens entitled, “Future Forward” that focus on life skills and interview skills.
-Rickie Dhillon, CEO & Superintendent of Kepler Neighborhood School who celebrated her campus’ 5-year renewal of their charter, the groundbreaking for their playground coming up this summer, Kepler board member and Superintendent/Principal of University HS Jeffie Hickman for her leadership award from the CA Charter School Association at their recent conference, and for the CA Teaching Fellows Foundation’s recent award (she is a board member for them).
-Mike Snell & Natalie Dodson for the CA Teaching Fellows Foundation receiving the Champion of the Community Award from the Fresno Chamber of Commerce at the recent Valley Business Awards, the upcoming “State of CTFF” event on 4/14 at The Painted Table; and for Rickie Dhillon!

March 16 is the 110th birthday of the Rotary Club of Fresno! In addition to birthday cake, Dick Herrinton (3GPP) provided a brief report of the community impact our club as had. We were the 203 Club established in Rotary and have 50 other clubs in the Valley that tie back to us directly or indirectly. The cumulative donation to community projects through June 2025 is $6.8 million dollars. Our members have a lot to celebrate!

Mona Cummings introduced today’s program speaker, Miguel Arambula. Miguel is the Executive Director of the Central Valley Housing Collaborative but was with us today to talk about another project he is involved in – the new Moses McQueen’s establishment in downtown Fresno. Miguel is one of three co-owners with his brother Diego and Phil Kleiwer. The members enjoyed hearing about the journey that began in 2018 and will result in an opening on April 4, 2026. Moses McQueen’s is located in the former Elia Home - a 1915 2-story duplex and storefront that has been added to the Fresno County Register of Historical Places. They are in the former Armenian Town neighborhood downtown. Their tag line is “Grandma’s house got a liquor license. ”

Today’s raffle winner of a gift card to Moses McQueen’s and a bottle of wine was Becky Prettyman. Bell rings and raffle proceeds benefit our club’s community grants.

Valerie Vuicich
[email protected]
1+(559) 696-5626

03/11/2026

Congratulations to the Club Presidents and Assistant Governors 2026-2027 who have completed their training this past weekend at Far West PELS.

03/10/2026

03/10/2026

Today at the Rotary Club of Fresno…
3GPP Jim Winton continues to raise community impact funds through the tips he earns entertaining us prior to the start of the meeting.

John Richers led our invocation & pledge of allegiance. Paul Salazar, Rotary After Hours co-chair promoted the March event on 3/25 at The Bog House Pub.

President Emil recognized Gus Hernandez from Cornerstone Conference Center for all his assistance & support of our club & we wished him well in his new position with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Fresno County!

The Honorable Bob Oliver (3GPP) served as emcee for our annual Public Heroes awards program. Fresno Police Chief Mindy Castro honored Detective Chris Franks. Sheriff John Zanoni (Fresno Rotary Club member) honored Detective Victor Rosales. Fresno Fire Chief Billy Alcorn honored Captain Carl Delap. The CA Highway Patrol’s Lt. Raul Gonzales honored Officer Alexis Rodriguez. Our Club members look forward to this program every year & we appreciate all the work these officers do to improve our community!

03/02/2026

Today at the Rotary Club of Fresno…
Jim Winton (3GPP) continued his fundraising efforts for our community grants through his musical talent!
Don Eskes (3GPP) provided our invocation & led the pledge of allegiance. Edward Gonzalez introduced guests & visiting Rotarians.

David Gilmore (3GPP) led us in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to all our March celebrants.

Paul Salazar shared that the Rotary After Hours team is looking for a sponsor ($300) for our March 25 gathering at The Bog House Pub. All members & their guests are encouraged to attend!

Sam Okenyi, leading our Rotary Youth Exchange efforts, gave a description of the program and that we are looking for three families to share hosting of a foreign exchange student for a school year.

John Richers, Programs Co-chair, introduced our speaker, fellow Club member Ethel Groger. Ethel is the President & Executive Director of CareMax Senior Solutions, providing in home care across 5 counties since 2017. Her topic today was “From Independence to Dignity: Preparing for Life’s Next Transition.” She gave us several good tips about conversation starters & items we need to have in place. Ethel reminded us that “planning is not pessimistic; planning is responsible” and, “have the conversation before you need the conversation.”

The raffle winner today of a gift card to Yoshino’s and a bottle of wine was David Allumbaugh.

Bell ringing & raffle proceeds benefit our community grants.

02/25/2026

The Rotary Club of Fresno had another successful Rotary After Hours event at a local favorite, Ovidio’s! Rotary After Hours is a more casual get together where members can meet, chat and have fun! To learn more about The Rotary Club of Fresno, follow us and feel free to send us a direct message.

02/23/2026

02/23/2026

Today at the Rotary Club of Fresno…..
We are so happy that Jim Winton (3GPP) continues to raise community funds through the tip jar on the piano!

Bud Dickerson (3GPP) led our invocation & pledge today while Vanna In handled our guest & visiting Rotarian introductions.

Paul Salazar provided photos & a recap of our Rotary After Hours event at Ovidio’s last week & announced that the March event will be held at The Bog on 3/25.

Our bell ringers today included Vanna in honor if his organization’s (Hope Now for Youth) upcoming annual banquet on 2/27.
Mary Cochron, in her role as board member of 3D Printing Elves, rang the bell for the organization’s recent viral status on TikTok which resulted in requests for toys exceeding 50,000 this past week! She also issued a challenge to her fellow Rotarians & agreed to match the first $1000 in donations that came from our club members.

Mary & Ethel Grover made a pitch for Camp Royal interview team volunteers.

CEO & member Ray Ortiz announced an upcoming volunteer opportunity on behalf of CalViva Health to join them in the March 4 Read Across America event at Columbia Elementary School in Fresno USD.

Ray also presented a check to Wings Advocacy Fresno for $5,000. The funds will provide mattresses & furniture for families in need. This project also included funds from District 5230 & we will have a volunteer day scheduled in the spring to assist in the delivery of goods.

Today’s speaker was introduced by the Honorable Bob Oliver (3GPP). Bob met Kodey Wells several years ago at a Pay It Forward luncheon at Fresno State. Kodey is a 2016 FS grad and his presentation was “A Central Valley Entrepreneur Story Serving the Nation through Custom Seating Manufacturing.” His theme of impacting the world through what you give & not what you take resounded through the audience. Kodey’s enthusiasm & strategic planning have allowed his company, Wells Upholstery, Inc., to grow & inspired their motto: “Think worldwide, one stitch at a time.”

Maureen Lewis (3GPP) was the raffle winner of a Target gift card & bottle of wine. Bell ringing & raffle proceeds benefit our community projects.