Rotarian Gerry Cumpiano donated four tickets to upcoming musical events held at the Centro de Bellas Artes. Funds raised will be used to purchase better sound equipment for Rotary meetings.  At the April 23 meeting, bidding for the tickets started at $45 but quickly jumped to several hundred dollars.  The auctioneer - Ray Erb - seemed stunned when one bidder outbid himself several times.  In the end, the auction raised over $1,000 as the high bidder for all tickets was our guest speaker, Robb Rill.  Many thanks to the 20/22 Act Society for their support.  And, Mr. Rill donated the tickets back to the Club so the Auction will continue at next week's meeting.  Tickets are for May 4 and May 5 events.  Let's hope we can stun Ray again next week.  

Joined us at our meeting last week. These Rotarians worked with our Club and P.E.C.E.S. to do a Rotary International Global Grant in Punta Santiago, a project that helped 10 small businesses re-open by buying the equipment they needed and training them in budgeting and planning.  The Grant also trained 50 underserved kids to be carpenters. These 25 Rotarians from District 5170 and 5220, who funded this project, came to Puerto Rico to visit the project. 

 Pictured are the 25 Rotarians together with our District Governor, Juanita Valentin Morris, our President Jose "Pepito" Rivero Olmedo   and San Juan Rotary Club's Director of Community Service, Georganna Hildebrand.

MEMBERS from District 6720 Clubs in Hinesville, Savannah South, Blackshear, Macon North and Sandersville, Georgia, exchanged banners with our Club.

We miss you a lot at the San Juan Rotary meetings.  If we can keep you attending more often, please let us have your good ideas, which are always appreciated.  Thank you for participating in this survey.

Starting on February 20, San Juan Rotary and the e-Club of PR and Las Americas will take their turn promoting the First Virtual Silent Auction in Plaza las Americas.  On webpage www.rotary-e.org, you can see what is being auctioned.  An example is a week's stay in San Diego, CA.  Fine jewelry and paintings by well-known artists, are also being offered.  Go to the webpage and participate in the 8th Anniversary of Rotary's Virtual Silent Auction.

FOUNDER & PRESIDENT Julio Soto Cubano of Pisadas de Amor, an organization formed to help seniors in need, gave a video presentation highlighting various homes restored in San Juan, Manati, Caguas and Vega Baja.  Replacing furniture, cabinets, stoves, refrigerators, clothes and other goods destroyed by Hurricane Maria, made the homes habitable again.  With” A Todas Por Mis Viejos", as the theme, the video clearly showed the dramatic changes In the lives of many affected oldsters.

CLUB DIRECTOR GEORGANNA HILDEBRAND brought us up-to-date on several of the Global Grants funded by Rotary International including the Global Grant for Teatro Por Amor in Peace and Conflict Resolution.  This Grant covers all four housing areas that have recruited students studying conflict issues like drug use and gangs. Another large project for a Global Grant is the economic recovery in Punta Santiago (together with P.E.C.E.S.), a project that will provide equipment and training to ten businesses that were damaged by Hurricane Maria and will train 50 underserved residents in carpentry.  As reported previously, Rotary clubs in the States have been most generous in sending monies and relief efforts continues as we find worthy projects. 

In the coming Spring, the Rotarian Magazine, Rotary International's monthly publication will feature our Global Grant Program, Teatro Por Amor.  Rotary International recently sent four of their Communications Team to Puerto Rico to get a first-hand look at the work our club is doing in island communities, including Teatro Por Amor.  The four RI representatives are:  Tom McVey (Sr. Social Media Content Strategist), Claudia Urbano (Latin American Global Communications Team), Vanessa Glavinskas (Contributing Editor The Rotarian Magazine), Alyce Henson (Staff Photographer & Multimedia Producer).  That's our Rotarian Armand Pique in the photo with the visitors from Rotary International!

Invite you to participate in their Golf Tournament to benefit the multiple programs offered to children, teens and adults in Dorado, Vega Alta, Vega Baja and Toa Baja.  The Jane Stern Dorado Community Library and each of its satellites - together a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization - are neighborhood centers in each community, connecting people, young and old - to learning programs, online resources and one another.  Ron and Anne Chevako, Co-Administrators of the Libraries, thank you in advance for your support, which is needed and appreciated!  Tournament details to follow:  Golf Tournament at the Plantation facilities in Dorado on Saturday, October 13.  Breakfast/Registration 7:30 am.  Shotgun start 9:00 am.  Two-person scramble.  Awards luncheon immediately after the event.  Prizes:  Three best scores at two levels.  Non-traditional Goodie Bags.  Food & drink at stations on the course.  Entry Fee: $175 per person.  Payment via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-jane-stern-community-libraries-golf-tournament-tickets-49958382868?aff=ebdssbdestsearch or for sponsorship and registration information please contact Zayra Caraballo at (787) 613-2025 or zayra.caraballo@sdcl.org

A non-profit organization consultant, Ana Maria Dapena, spoke on it's mission to educate and inspire the arts of the Caribbean.  To date, the organization has served over 6,000 underprivileged children and adults.  Rotarians who would like to help in this endeavor and/or get more information,  are urged to contact Ana Maria at 787-429-8810 or anadapena@aol.com.