Community Projects

Service is the very core of Rotary’s character.

It promotes Rotary’s appeal and visibility in the community, and why Rotary continues to thrive. Rotarians recognize the importance of giving back to the community. Every Rotary Club and every Rotarian assumes a responsibility to find ways to improve the quality of life for those in their communities and to serve the public interest.

Rotarians purchased face masks, face shields, gowns, and gloves for various groups in the community. Rotarians also assembled face shields to achieve maximum economic value. Countywide, organizations including Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club have gotten in on the efforts by launching the Rotary Face Shield Project—an initiative gathering Rotarians and volunteers to assemble thousands of face shields to distribute to hospitals and senior living facilities. Rotary District 5320, which includes the Rotaries in Dana Point, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, has five locations set up throughout the county where both members and volunteers can help put the shields together.

The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group works to benefit active duty Marines, Sailors and their families who are members of the 5th Marine Regiment. The group collects funds and resources needed by the 5th Marines wherever they may be deployed or for their families in need of assistance. The Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group (DPMRSG) Board of Directors is comprised of citizens who reside in the Dana Point area that willingly devote substantial time and talent to achieve goals that will benefit active duty Marines, Sailors and their families who are members of the 5th Marine Regiment.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center rescues, rehabilitates, and releases marine mammals while inspiring ocean stewardship through research, education and collaboration. Throughout all these activities we practice science. Our actions are guided by science. From our work we distill data, samples, expertise and access to animals in a way that is useful for staff and collaborating scientists. Our educational programs are a key component to increasing awareness of the issues facing marine mammals and the environment in which they live, and developing a sense of stewardship for those resources.

The Shea Center is dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities through therapeutic horse-related programs. Established in 1978 and located in Orange County, California, the J. F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center serves people with disabilities who can benefit from therapeutic riding and activities around the horse. We offer our clients a variety of programs that include physical, occupational, and speech therapies and therapeutic riding. Accredited at the “premier” level by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), The Shea Center is internationally recognized for its excellent therapeutic equestrian programs. It is also a therapeutic riding training facility drawing interns and students from around the world.

Children ages 11 and under dig for treasure, toys, prizes and for ONE lucky person, a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry, donated by Marinelli Fine Jewelry. Kids and adults are encouraged to arrive early at Baby Beach starting at 11:30 AM, pay $10 for your special Diamond Dig shovel and get ready to dig for treasure! This event is sponsored by our Rotary Club and all proceeds benefit local children’s charities.

Dana Point Senior Center’s Annual Thanksgiving Lunch is hosted by our club! We annually serve 200+ seniors and 14+ shut ins. All the turkeys and trimmings are cooked by Rotarians.

Dana Point seniors and even some Rotarians put on costumes to support the annual Thanksgiving luncheon held at the Dana Point Senior Center gymnasium. In 2021, they donned masks, but the spirit of giving was as high as ever! Seniors drove up in their cars to pick up Thanksgiving meals delivered by local Rotarians and high school students. Others, who couldn’t come by, had meals delivered to their homes.

The Drowning Prevention project is new but will be an ongoing project. We know that May is National Drowning Prevention Awareness month, and we conducted the first event in June and will repeat the class again in August and then again next May or June. Our Rotary Club uses the Josh the Otter Program to facilitate the learning. Did you know drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children between ages 1 and 4? According to the Center for Disease Control, 10 drowning deaths per day occur across the country.

Breakfast includes delicious pancakes, sausage, orange juice, and coffee. Prices are modest, and proceeds will benefit the Monarch Beach Sunrise Rotary Club’s many local organizations in need of support. Come join us at our next event for a pancake breakfast in beautiful Dana Point. Bring the family and bring your friends for deliciously famous pancakes from Stacks Pancake House!