Marymount College Rotaract is a student service organization dedicated to participating in community service and focused on developing young adults as leaders. We are always finding ways to put service above self, and the events we partake in reflect just that.
The fall 2012 semester was a very successful time of involvement for Marymount College Rotaract. Among other efforts, we raised money for Polio and packaged books for schools.
“Pennies for Polio” is a program that raises money for the total eradication of polio. Through this program, Marymount College Rotarians were able to learn about polio and the impact of this physically debilitating disease. We learned that polio is 99 percent eradicated and that a mere .60 cents is the cost of the vaccine used to protect one child from Polio. This disease is most prevalent in Nigeria, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
During “End Polio Now” week, the Rotaract Club stationed themselves on campus to collect donations from passing students and faculty. We gave out purple cotton candy and purple-frosted brownies and cupcakes to those who donated because purple is the color used to mark the pinky of a child who was vaccinated. We are proud to announce that in one week, Rotaract Club was able to raise over $185 for Pennies for Polio.
Rotaract Club also had the opportunity to volunteer for the Molina Foundation’s “Book Buddies” by helping to package books. The Molina Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing lives through literacy and education. Marymount Rotaract packaged children’s books that were shipped all over the United States. Volunteering for “Book Buddies” was also a chance for Rotaract to interact with other organizations and community volunteers.
Did you know that 40 percent of the entire homeless population is under 18, and that 42 percent of those minors are younger than six years old? This startling statistic is what prompted us to help the homeless children in any way we could. Rotaract decided to become involved through the “Toys for Tots Drive” and “Toys for Tecate.” With the help of Marymount College, we were able to set up designated containers throughout the campus for the donation of toys. We collected nearly 80 toys, which were successfully delivered to “Toys for Tots” and “Harbor Interfaith.”
“Festival de Corazon” was Rotaract’s last volunteer event of the fall 2012 semester. “Festival de Corazon” was an event where people auctioned off their own valuable possessions and services. Rotaract helped out by setting up and handling transactions. The formal event was a joyous occasion full of Mexican food and entertainment.
Written by: Jessica Aguilar
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