The Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake stepped up in a big way for San Diego Red Shoe Day, raising $2,125 to support families with hospitalized children and surpassing its fundraising goal by 6%.

On May 20, a team of 10 volunteers—including seven members of the Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake—spent the day collecting donations at the busy intersection of Bonita Road and Otay Lakes Road. Thanks to the generosity of residents and motorists, the team exceeded its $2,000 fundraising goal and finished 11th overall among participating San Diego organizations. Special thanks to our club's team captain, Craig Smith, whose “keep charging” emails kept us on task.

Red Shoe Day is the signature community fundraising event benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego. The annual event helps provide housing, meals, and support services for families who need to stay close to a child receiving medical treatment. San Diego organizers noted that the event raised more than $170,000 for San Diego’s Ronald McDonald House, and donations were still coming in. The support helps provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing for families with children receiving hospital care.

"Every moment together matters to a child in the hospital and to the parents caring for them," said Rotary volunteers. "By participating in Red Shoe Day, we help ease some of life's burdens for families facing medical crises."

Throughout the May 20 event, volunteers donned red shoes and collected donations from passing motorists, who responded with generosity and encouragement via a friendly wave or honk. The funds raised will help Ronald McDonald House continue its mission of providing comfort, care, and a home away from home for families during some of their most difficult moments.

The Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake extends its sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year's effort and to the dedicated volunteers who represented the club with enthusiasm and heart.

After exceeding its goal and making a meaningful impact for local families, the club is already looking forward to supporting Red Shoe Day again in 2027.

Mark your calendar and get ready for one of our favorite traditions! The Rotary Club of Chula Vista Eastlake is excited to invite you to our 3rd Annual Hike & Wine fundraiser at the beautiful Granite Lion Cellars.

This event brings together the best of what we love: scenic trails, great wine, good company, and giving back.

📅 Event Details
When: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Meet‑Up Time: 9:30 AM (Hiking begins no later than 10:00 AM)
Where: Granite Lion Cellars
2801 Jamul Highlands Rd, Jamul, CA 91935

🥾 The Hike
Choose your adventure with either a scenic 1‑hour family‑friendly hike or a more challenging 1.5‑hour route. This is a guided hike — not a race — and everyone is welcome.

🍷 The Wine (and the Fun!)
After the hike, stay and enjoy tasty bites, fun beverages, music, fellowship, and a participation medal to celebrate your accomplishment.

💛 The Cause
Your participation and suggested early bird donation of $45 directly supports Rotary’s hands‑on service projects, including:

• Aid for local seniors
• Renovations at Casa Hogar Uriel (children’s home) in Tijuana
• Local community cleanup campaigns
• Providing blankets, clothing, and food for people experiencing homelessness in San Diego through Dreams for Change

🎟️ Registration Info
Early bird registration is $45 and increases to $50 on the day of the event, so we encourage you to register early! Click here to register, or see flyer image and press down QR code (iPhone) or scan.

This holiday season, the Rotary Club of Chula Vista–Eastlake embodied the spirit of Service Above Self by bringing comfort and essential supplies to housing-insecure families and individuals in San Diego. In partnership with the nonprofit Dreams for Change, Rotarians distributed approximately 400 blankets, along with hygiene kits, food, and beverages, to residents living in secure tent encampments near downtown San Diego.

The giveaway took place on Sunday, December 7, 2025, and left a lasting impression on both the givers and those served. Rotarians even brought along not one, but two Santas, helping spread holiday cheer and moments of joy. One resident captured the spirit of the day with a simple but powerful message to one of our Santas: “I still believe in you!”

Through a Dreams for Change administrator, the impact of the visit was unmistakable. “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things from both our clients and staff — your visit was, as always, a huge success,” shared J.J. Abujasen, Fundraising & Development Specialist at Dreams for Change.

Dreams for Change operates safe sleeping lots that provide temporary shelter while helping individuals and families overcome barriers to stability through employment opportunities, education, and income-building resources. Reflecting on the partnership, Abujasen added, "The joy, dignity, and connection you bring to those we serve is truly invaluable.” Partnering with this organization enabled our club to connect directly with those in need during one of the coldest times of the year, offering both warmth and dignity.

This partnership began in 2023, led by committee chair Miriam Gonzalez, whose longtime commitment to feeding the homeless inspired the club to adopt this effort as a priority. Since then, Rotary’s support has grown significantly — expanding from serving approximately 150 people to now reaching nearly 400 individuals across two downtown San Diego sites.

Through compassion, collaboration, and consistency, the Rotary Club of Chula Vista–Eastlake continues to make a tangible difference for some of our community’s most vulnerable neighbors.