Information provided by The Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista. Lea este artÃculo en español aquÃ.
The Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista is officially marking its 30th anniversary, celebrating three decades of community impact, international service, and local fellowship. Since its founding, the club has been a cornerstone of the Mission City, funding youth scholarships, supporting local non-profits, and maintaining the unique historical character of the region.
Founded on the principle of “Service Above Self,” the club has grown from a small group of dedicated residents into a powerhouse of local volunteerism. Members have been instrumental in projects ranging from the annual Ghost Walk to providing essential support for local schools and international polio eradication efforts. The club is in the process helping bring modern broadband access to families in the Aromas-San Juan Unified School District.
Honoring Our Roots: The Charter Members
As the club looks toward the future, it remains deeply rooted in the vision of its original members. To honor this milestone, the club is recognizing the 28 individuals who signed the original charter thirty years ago. While some have stayed active in the community, others have moved on to new chapters.
The club is currently seeking updates on the lives and locations of its living charter members to properly document its history for this anniversary.
The Charter Members:
- Gary Bloom
- Larry Cain
- Gary Candelaria
- Al Castenada
- Dian Combs
- Kim DuPont
- Jim A. Gibson
- Kelly Grant
- Dean Hallberg
- Jim Hart
- Marly Holte (Deceased)
- Esther Holubiczko
- Barbara Johnson
- Richard Johnson
- Ruth Kesler (Deceased)
- Pearl Masterson (Deceased)
- Dennis McDuffie
- Lisa McShane
- Drew Neubaue
- Wayne Norton
- Harvey Nyland (Deceased)
- Jill D. Ortiz
- Rick Pfitzer
- David Schott
- Jim Sleznick (Deceased)
- Robert Stevens
- Bruce Tozier
- Diane Zint
A Call for Information
The Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista invites the community to help bridge the gap between the past and present. If you have information regarding the current whereabouts or recent activities of the living charter members listed above, please leave a message on the club’s official webpage www.rotarysanjuanbautista.com.
“Our charter members laid the foundation for everything we do today,” said current president Jorge Terrones. “We want to know where their journeys have taken them and invite them to join us in celebrating thirty years of service.”
Sponsors
The club thanks the founding celebrations sponsors: Graniterock, San Juan Oaks and South Valley Internet. Sponsorships are still available by contacting Wayne Norton, kwaynenorton@gmail.com