With the recent fires here in SoCal it is pretty evident that disasters for some create opportunities. 

Every club in our district has specific areas that are both very susceptible to fires when things get dry, as well as elderly that are unable to physically or financially attack the necessary abatement that their property desperately needs.

What a great opportunity clubs have to create a new category of community service on a monthly ongoing basis. 

Helping to assist or handle abatement against fires is something that only takes a group of people once a month to make a huge difference.  Just think if our clubs had two groups : a “weekend abatement” and “weekday abatement” group to attack much needed help in our communities.  Many fire departments can let us know areas that we can go out and perform fire abatement getting rid of dead undergrowth, weeds and the like in our communities.  As a matter of fact, some fire departments will work with groups that contact them asking for locations the club can help abate. 

Low income areas with senior citizens that are not physically able to perform or pay to to abate are great targets for assistance.  Senior centers are a great place to ask around as are mobile home parks.  It’s amazing what can be done and who can be helped in advance of a catastrophe that can make a huge difference and even impact saving lives.   Many clubs have retirees that can form a phone chain to get out there and help during the work week and all clubs have professionals that can help one weekend a month being set up via another phone chain.  We all know that working together with our fellow members is a strong glue that makes our clubs and friendships stronger.  Why not create “Pizza and Pick Weeds” events? (What members can turn down a pizza?)

We are Rotary, let’s help get ahead of issues whenever we can: it’s fun, it’s productive and our visual appearance out in the community is a great way to also attract and recruit new members. 

Chuck Weisbart (Cheeze)
Proudly- an Idyllwild Rotarian!
D5330 Community Service Chair
760 578 3592
P.O.Box 278, Idyllwild CA 92549