New Generations Service Chair

Dwight Heikkila (2010-2011)

ON-GOING New Generations SERVICE PROJECTS

Mission Statement: Our plan is to inform, inspire, encourage, direct, mentor, assist, and recognize the youth of the Westwood community with their humanitarian dreams and projects.  These “New Generations” are certainly Rotary’s future!

Ongoing Activities:

UCLA Rotaract Club:  Founded over 15 years ago by a WVRC Rotarian George Dea, the UCLA club is now 40 strong and meets weekly on campus.  Last year, they completed nearly 20 local projects and sent five members to Ecuador on the “Heifer Project.”  WVRC provides some funding and direction and tries to keep up with this ambitious and energetic group which won three District Awards in 2009-2010, including the prestigious “Club of the Year.” 

University High School Interact Club:  Founded last year and led by WVRC Rotarian Ann Samson, this group of 30 local high school students completed their first productive year with projects in peer support, water purification device assembly, and assisting school-age youth at the Salvation Army Transitional housing village. We hope this will be just the first of many effective Interact Clubs in our area.

Alan Campbell Memorial Award:  WVRC has recognized the top graduating students of this local middle school for over 30 years.  Ed Jackson, WVRC Rotarian and educator, presides over the ceremony which awarded four students this past year—all completing the scholastic year with perfect grade point averages.

Christmas Shopping Spree:  A popular project orchestrated for many years by Mike Yousem, WVRC Rotarian.  Our Rotary bus swoops down on the Salvation Army Relocation Facility on Sepulveda Blvd. a week before Christmas, where thirty young children board and join an equal number of Rotarians and spouses.  After a raucous dinner, the busload is off on a shopping trip.  Yes, the children do spend most of their funds on gifts for their families and all are exhausted but full of Christmas spirit after the trip home.