By: Margo Rawlings

Sports Editor

The Rotary Club of Los Gatos, founded in 1924, has served the community for 100 years as of Jan. 15. The club, which is a chapter of the Rotary organization, functions under the motto “service before self” throughout all of its philanthropic endeavors.     

Over the years, the Rotary Club has helped sponsor various renovation projects throughout the community through its fundraising efforts. At Oak Meadow Park, the group financially supported the renovation of the Bill Mason Carousel, along with the restoration of the cupola in the picnic area and the various BBQ areas throughout the park. 

To fund these projects, the club hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Their largest fundraiser, the CrabFest, takes place yearly, this year on Feb. 3, at St. Andrew’s Church in Saratoga. At the event, all proceeds from the auction and dinners go directly towards the club’s philanthropic goals. Similarly, in April, the Rotary Club of Los Gatos hosts the Los Gatos Rotary Great Race in which many community members participate. 

Additionally, these funds help support activities at Los Gatos High School; the club donates to the Music Booster organization and LG Reality Check, and they organize the Enterprise Leadership Conference for juniors interested in business and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, each June, they run a camp called RYLA, Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly, that teaches students leadership skills and team building. Notably, the club created a scholarship fund for Los Gatos High School and Leigh High School students, awarding 20 academic scholarships to seniors each year. 

The Interact Club at LGHS serves as a branch of the Rotary Club for young people interested in service. Tina Orsi-Hartigan, a longtime member of Los Gatos’ Rotary Club, is one of the advisors to LG’s Interact Club. She joined the Rotary Club in November 2001 and is currently the 21st longest standing member out of more than one hundred other members. Although she has held various positions throughout the years, such as president of the club, she is now the chair of various committees. When describing the Interact Club, she explained, “The club does a lot in the community. Students volunteer at many of the Rotary Club’s events, like the Glass Pumpkin fair, but they also do a lot of volunteer work through the Recreational Department. This March, we’re making blankets to donate to animal shelters, and in the past we’ve done local creek cleanups. This year, we hope to complete a tree planting project.” 

To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Rotary Club of Los Gatos is hosting a Centennial Celebration Gala at Saratoga’s Mountain Winery on May 7, 

(Sources: Los Gatos Rotary)