Week of Nov. 10 - 16, 2008

By Dr. Larry hashimoto
President 2008-09
Redondo Beach Rotary Club

(REDONDO BEACH, Calif.) -- Last Tuesday, we witnessed a very historical event when our country voted into office the first African-American President.

I want to thank the members of our club that volunteered their time to work the polls and who participated in this very memorable election. It was my first time being a poll worker and for me, it was a very rewarding experience. A lot of voters that came out to the polls thanked us for volunteering our time and helping out what turned out to be a very busy election.

The process is not very difficult and each volunteer is given a duty to perform at their designated polling place. I would encourage more members to participate at these types of event because it follows our motto "service above self" and builds fellowship within our club.

Another event last week was the District Blood Drive. This was the second of four Blood Drives our DG Chuck Anderson has planned for our District and I would encourage all members who are able, to participate at least once during this Rotary year.

Living in a huge metropolis like Los Angeles, blood is always going to be in short supply. Since blood a very unique and complex substance, it cannot be synthesized in the lab and mass-produced. It can only be obtained through donations from generous and caring individuals, like Rotarians, who will never know the names of the recipient of their good deeds. Just the feeling one gets that from this humanitarian experience and knowing that you are making a difference is all I needed to justify my participation. So, please try to get out and donate blood during the next Blood Drive in January. You will feel better for it. You will be making a difference in somebody's life. You will "Make Dreams Real".

Thank you, Larry