At our March 20th meeting, Al Lowe was Master of Ceremonies for our first (and hopefully annual) Service Above Self Awards Luncheon, at which we presented Paul Harris Fellowships to four outstanding citizens in our community. (For each Fellowship, Camarillo Rotary has donated $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.) Before introducing the awardees, Al gave a short history of the Service Above Self slogan (read about it here). He also quoted from R.I. President Sakuji Tanaka: "When we put Service Above Self, we are making a choice. We are choosing to put other people’s needs ahead of our own desires. We are saying, 'Your problems are my problems, and I care enough to help you.'"

Introduced in alphabetical order, George Erb (at left in photo) was honored for his support of Casa Pacifica, Camarillo youth baseball and softball, Camarillo High School athletics, the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club and our own Care for Kids Golf Classic. Myron Harrison (unable to attend because of recent eye surgery) has also been a major sponsor of our golf tournament and a supporter of the Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Casa Pacifica, CSUCI and many more organizations throughout the county.

Dr. Mark Lisagor (second from left) has been a major force in the growth and success of the Boys & Girls Club, and has supported many other local organizations, including CSUCI, Interface, Camarillo Academic Olympics and many more. Currently, his focus is on providing dental services to children in underdeveloped countries. Last but certainly not least, Dr. David Lowe (Al's brother) has used his medical and musical training to help students at Newbury Park Adventist Academy as well as teens at the California Youth Authority. He also has conducted numerous health expos throughout the Camarillo community, promoting healthy living through diet and exercise.

Concluding the program, Past District Governor Brenda Cressey (herself a winner of R.I.'s Service Above Self Award—Rotary's highest honor) emphasized the meaning of the Paul Harris Fellowship, and highlighted some of the projects supported by the Rotary Foundation. Ashley Wagner then presented each with a County proclamation on behalf of Supervisor Kathy Long.

Our 20th Annual Care for Kids Golf Classic on Monday, July 16, 2012 at Spanish Hills Golf & Country Club was a big success, as a full field of golfers teed off in perfect weather and later enjoyed a tournament dinner featuring this year's special honoree Dr. Steve Elson, CEO of Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families. Over the past 19 years, the Rotary Clubs of Camarillo have raised more than $1.4 million for Casa Pacifica and local charities through this great tournament.