The Rotary of the Delta, President Mike Green ends every meeting by saying, ““If your presence is not making an impact, then your absence will not make a difference.” Volunteerism is a great place to start if you are seeking to make a difference. The rotary name has been synonymous with service since 1910 and clubs are active throughout the nation. With their motto “Service Above Self,” the Delta Club has been a bright spot in the Antioch community for almost three decades now.
The club is built on the “Four Avenues of Service” and attempts to work locally in vocational and club service, but also thinks globally through international service. The members meet to discuss wide ranging national issues that impact the community locally. In October, Justin Gomez representing Contra Costa Human Trafficking spoke to members about how to get involved in preventing this practice of exploitation in Antioch. For the last four years the group has participated in home building in Mexico, plus worked diligently with the Polio Plus program which is an international effort to remove polio from the planet. Also, Antioch Police Chief Brooks spoke about the importance of togetherness and connecting officers to the community through relationships.
Bi-monthly the Rotary of the Delta assists seniors and helps out by meeting a variety of needs and building relationships with them to create this sense of togetherness that is emerging in Antioch. The Rotary Home Team group began the year by supporting a handful of local senior residents, but the need is great and more help would be greatly appreciated. No special talents or memberships are necessary to volunteer, except a willing heart and a little time. The tasks range from simple household maintenance to actual repairs that are desperately needed.
Rotary President Mike Green explains, “Our club is always looking for people who have a desire to serve our community [and] volunteers who have professional skills to complete tasks outside of our skill set who are willing to support our Home Team efforts.” There currently is a great need for volunteers in Antioch and non-members can participate in the community service portion of their charter. Donations in time, talent, or finances are always appreciated. The group does all of the labor for free, often fixing kitchen faucets and plumbing issues for seniors on a fixed income, but the cost of materials is covered by the seniors themselves.
Volunteering is about serving and giving to others, but Green clearly emphasizes how much satisfaction it brings in return, as he states, “You do not start out doing this work for the recognition, but the appreciation we see and hear from the Seniors is incredibly rewarding. Now it is even more important I teach my children the art of and the desire to serve my community. My parents were very influential in developing my volunteering efforts.”
With so many opportunities to help others right in Antioch, the Rotary Club of the Delta would love to have people join them. The Knights of Columbus, Troop 450 of Antioch, and a group of students from Antioch High have already stepped up and made a commitment. As a parent, your volunteerism can leave a legacy for your family. Green adds, “My father has been a Rotarian all my life and my mother volunteered for the hospital auxiliary and the community scholarship for as long as I can remember.” If you want to serve the Antioch community and meet the needs of others, contact the Rotary of the Delta: http://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org
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