Events

• Early Bird tickets: $50 until September 5
• Regular tickets: $60 September 6-28
• Onsite (if not sold out): $65
• Rotaract/Interact/Children: $40

Please visit https://ryla5280.org/ for details.

YMCA FeedLA 

About this Program

From home grocery deliveries to hot to-go meals, FeedLA helps seniors, families, and kids keep healthy food on the table year-round.

In 2024 alone, FeedLA distributed over 3.9 million pounds of food across Los Angeles—no cost, no catch, just support when it’s needed most.

Depending on the location and program, you can stop by a Y center to pick up fresh produce, sign up for home deliveries, or bring your kids for a hot meal. FeedLA programs happen all month at Ys across LA—no cost, no catch, just support when you need it.

Local Produce Pickup Site

Anderson Munger Family YMCA
10:00 am, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
4301 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Volunteer Info

Feel free to come by at any time during distribution hours to help out!

Albert Hernandez is the Chief Executive Officer of Home Again Los Angeles, a nonprofit he has led since 2015, growing it from a $100,000 agency into a $3 million organization that has helped hundreds of unhoused and at-risk families secure stability. As Immediate Past District Governor (PDG) for RI D5280, Albert combines his nonprofit leadership with a lifelong commitment to service, empathy, and community impact.

YMCA FeedLA 

About this Program

From home grocery deliveries to hot to-go meals, FeedLA helps seniors, families, and kids keep healthy food on the table year-round.

In 2024 alone, FeedLA distributed over 3.9 million pounds of food across Los Angeles—no cost, no catch, just support when it’s needed most.

Depending on the location and program, you can stop by a Y center to pick up fresh produce, sign up for home deliveries, or bring your kids for a hot meal. FeedLA programs happen all month at Ys across LA—no cost, no catch, just support when you need it.

Local Produce Pickup Site

Anderson Munger Family YMCA
10:00 am, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
4301 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Volunteer Info

Feel free to come by at any time during distribution hours to help out!

Big Sunday’s 14th Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event

Date: Wednesday, November 26
Location: Radford Studios, Studio City

Join Wilshire Rotary in giving back this Thanksgiving! We’ll be teaming up once again with Big Sunday for their 14th Annual Thanksgiving Stuffing Event — a heartwarming day where hundreds of volunteers come together to fill 4,500 bags of food, feeding 18,000 grateful individuals and families in need.

After a challenging year, this event is a wonderful opportunity to gather in gratitude, celebrate community, and make a meaningful difference.

Wilshire Rotary has proudly supported this event for many years — both through hands-on volunteering and donations — and we’re excited to continue that tradition.

Sign up to volunteer and help spread some Thanksgiving kindness!

Please register via this event page AND also through https://bigsunday.org/get-involved/thanksgiving2025/

Join in the fun at historic Tom Bergin's, home to many former WRC events, and one of our most iconic, local watering holes.  The stories those shamrocks could tell!  Let's start our Thanksgiving celebrations early with your favorite tipple or mocktail.   No need to register.  Many have let me know they are attending.  If you have not yet reached out and plan to be there, please send me an e-mail (amydgm@aol.com) or 213 308 6176.

AND...it is President Leon's birthday so we can celebrate that as well!

Slainte,

Amy

Tom Bergin's

840 S. Fairfax

Wed., November 26th

5PM to....

Ray Richmond is a longtime television critic and columnist for  Daily Variety, Hollywood Reporter and Deadline. His books include a biography of actress Betty White and the collector’s guide “The Sopranos: The Complete Visual History” 

He teaches television history at Chapman University in Orange, CA.

YMCA FeedLA 

About this Program

From home grocery deliveries to hot to-go meals, FeedLA helps seniors, families, and kids keep healthy food on the table year-round.

In 2024 alone, FeedLA distributed over 3.9 million pounds of food across Los Angeles—no cost, no catch, just support when it’s needed most.

Depending on the location and program, you can stop by a Y center to pick up fresh produce, sign up for home deliveries, or bring your kids for a hot meal. FeedLA programs happen all month at Ys across LA—no cost, no catch, just support when you need it.

Local Produce Pickup Site

Anderson Munger Family YMCA
10:00 am, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month
4301 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Volunteer Info

Feel free to come by at any time during distribution hours to help out!

A long-standing Wilshire Rotary tradition, created for children of Rotarians to embrace the concept of giving gifts to Santa to distribute to others rather than solely receiving gifts, the concept resonates for all ages.  And all ages are welcome (so bring kids, grandkids, the whole family!) to celebrate the Season on Saturday, December 13th from 4PM-7PM.  We will donate as a club a check to the Red Shield division of the Salvation Army, and will also be delivering toys to be distributed to 500 kids at their annual Holiday party, . For many children, this will be their only gift.

Please bring an UNWRAPPED, UNISEX gift for teens aged 13-15ish.  Board games are an excellent option.

Appetizers and drinks will be served.  

Santa is making an appearance so be ready to share your own wish list, too!

Join in the GIVING at the gorgeous home of Kyle and Delroy.

Please register so we know how many are attending.

There is no cost other than we ask that you bring the gift to give to Santa.

Yours in giving,

Amy, and Santa 

Jerry Lazar is a third-generation magician and a member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He has served as an entertainment editor and writer for many prominent  magazines, newspapers, and news websites. He is also a certified mediator who has supervised dispute resolution programs for California Lawyers for the Arts and the LA County Bar Association. He is currently a volunteer  panelist for the LA city attorney’s Neighborhood Justice Program. His daughter Maia is a LAUSD high school teacher.

Hilary Helstein is an acclaimed American film director, producer, screenwriter, and festival leader known for her powerful documentary work and commitment to storytelling that bridges history and humanity. She began her career in the humanitarian field with Steven Spielberg’s USC Shoah Foundation, where she directed and produced over 250 interviews with Holocaust survivors, liberators, and rescuers. Drawing on this experience, Hilary spent more than a decade creating the award-winning documentary As Seen Through These Eyes, narrated by Maya Angelou and co-produced by the Sundance Channel, which has been screened internationally and honored at major festivals.

In addition to her filmmaking, Hilary is the Executive Director and co-founder of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, a dynamic annual celebration of global cinema that highlights Jewish culture, heritage, and diverse human-rights stories for audiences across Los Angeles and beyond. Based in Los Angeles, she champions film as a medium for education, connection, and community engagement. 

Caitlín Higgins Ní Chinnéide is Ireland's Consul General to the South Western United States. Immediately prior to this role, Ms. Higgins Ní Chinnéide served as Deputy Head of Mission in Ireland’s Embassy in Mexico.

Ms Higgins Ní Chinnéide joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland in 2012 as Desk Officer for Eastern Europe. Since then she has served in a number of positions including Deputy Director of the UN Policy Unit; Deputy Director of the Conflict Resolution Unit; and Consul in the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid.

Ms. Higgins Ní Chinnéide holds a BA in Modern History and Politics from the University of Oxford, and an MPhil and PhD in Modern Irish History from Trinity College Dublin; she was also called to the Irish Bar in 2014. Ms Higgins Ní Chinnéide hails from Dublin, and is a fluent Irish and Spanish speaker.

It is time for another Bingo Night at one of the most festive restaurants in Los Angeles, the historic El Coyote Mexican Restaurant.  Friends and family welcome.   Join in the fun on Wednesday, January 28th at 6PM.  Your choice of entree including the combo plate, street tacos, chicken taco salad, burritos, or Caesar salad, soft drinks included for $45.00 per person (including tax and tip).  Bingo will be $5.00 per game, 5 games total, so bring cash (or you can venmo or zelle me ahead of time).   Beer, wine and cocktails are available for purchase.

B...I...N....G...O...

See you there!

Amy

Gina Amato Lough is the Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. She leads a 30-member team of attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff, and social workers who serve asylum seekers, immigrants in detention, survivors of violent crime, unaccompanied children, and victims of fraud. Gina has been a public interest attorney and community leader for over twenty years. She joined Public Counsel in 2008, and for 14 years, she led the Immigrants’ Rights Project’s Survivor Team Gina graduated from U.C. Berkeley in 2001 with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master’s Degree in Public Policy (MPP). Outside of her work, she loves to dance, make art, and spend time with her family.

Ernie Yoshikawa, Development Manager, has been working at the Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) for 21 years and is a longtime Koreatown resident. Ernie leads KYCC fundraising events, manages agency volunteer and intern programs, and has supervised and implemented a variety of youth and case management programs for K-12 students. He holds a B.A. in Asian American Studies and American Literature and Culture, M.A. in Ethnic Studies, and M.S. in School Counseling, and is a Certified Volunteer Administrator.

As President-Elect Rae Jin heads to our annual Southwest regional training seminar this weekend, let's meet this Friday at 5:30 at the lobby bar at the LAX Marriott and toast her as she completes her first day of sessions.  Rae embodies Service Above Self, as a mother, and as the Executive Director of the Anderson Munger Family YMCA.  Rae is always there to step up and support the philanthropic endeavors of Wilshire Rotary, including serving as President for the 2026-2027 Rotary year.

For those who have served as President, you understand what it means to feel the support of your club.  For those who are future Presidents, this will serve as an exciting glimpse into the world of district training, and the fun that is PELS (President-Elect Learning Sessions).  This weekend training includes two evenings of celebration, visiting rooms hosted by Clubs from districts in California, Arizona and Hawaii, and a chance to meet RI leadership.  It really is an awesome weekend.

Let's raise a glass and celebrate President-Elect Rae!

Yours in Rotary,
Amy

Panda Express Virtual Fundraiser – Support Wilshire Rotary Club Foundation

Enjoy your Panda Express favorites while supporting a great cause! On Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Panda Express is hosting a Virtual Community Fundraiser benefiting the Wilshire Rotary Club Foundation.

🥢 28% of event sales will be donated to support our charitable initiatives and community service projects.

How to Participate:

• Place your order online only on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

• Order for pickup or delivery

• Apply fundraiser code 9012287 in the Fundraiser Code box during online checkout at www.pandaexpress.com or via the Panda Express app

📍 Valid at Panda Express locations nationwide

Please note: A minimum of $150 in total event sales (pre-tax) is required for the donation to apply. Gift card purchases and school lunch program meals do not count toward fundraiser totals, though purchases made using gift cards do qualify.

Gather your family, friends, and colleagues and make your meal count toward making a difference in our community!

A first for Wilshire Rotary, join in the laughter, and the fun, at the world famous Laugh Factory on Friday, Feb 27th.  You can purchase your tickets at the link below, directly from the venue. The show starts at 7:30 but we will want to meet no later than 7.  Please let me know if you plan to attend by replying to this email or texting me to 213 308 6176 so I have an idea of how many will be attending. I suggest purchasing the General Admission and we can line up together prior to the show.  

https://www.laughfactory.com/hollywood/date/2026-02-27

Let's all LOL together!

Amy

Raul Fernandez served 33 years with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a teacher, administrator, and principal at Los Angeles High School, where students participated in the 360 program. After retiring, he consulted with charter schools and later worked with EduCare Foundation supporting student development. He now serves as Interim Managing Director of Magic University at the Magic Castle, home of the Academy of Magical Arts.

Join us in celebrating an iconic Los Angeles institution as El Coyote Mexican Café marks its 95th Anniversary on March 5, 2026!

Owned by our very own Wilshire Rotary member, Margie, El Coyote has been serving the LA community since 1931 — becoming a beloved staple for generations of Angelenos.

To commemorate 95 incredible years:

🌮 95¢ Anniversary Enchilada Special
🍕 95¢ El Coyote Pizza
👕 Limited 95th Anniversary merchandise available for purchase

This is a wonderful opportunity to support a fellow Rotarian and celebrate nearly a century of tradition, flavor, and community impact.

Let’s show up Wilshire Rotary strong!

Join Page Academy Hancock Park and the Wilshire Rotary Club for Bloom with Page Academy: a community gardening celebration focused on service, sustainability, and student leadership!

Join us for a delicious way to give back! On Tuesday, March 10th from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM, Chipotle at 301 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 is hosting a fundraiser in support of the Wilshire Rotary Club Foundation.

✨ 25% of event sales during this time will be donated to support our community service projects and charitable initiatives.

How to Participate:

• Order online for pickup using code HATWMKC, or

• Show the event flyer in restaurant when ordering in person.

Please note: Online orders must be placed for pickup at the Larchmont location during the event hours. Delivery orders and gift cards do not qualify. A $150 minimum in total event sales is required for the donation to apply.

Bring your friends, family, and colleagues — and enjoy your favorite burritos, bowls, and tacos while helping us continue to “Do Good” in our community.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a meaningful morning of service at the grand opening of Big Sunday’s year-round Food Pantry! Big Sunday — a longtime Los Angeles nonprofit that connects people through helping others — is launching this new pantry to provide both perishable and non-perishable food to neighbors in need, and our club is proud to support the effort.

📅 Date: Friday, March 13, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
📍 Location: 1741 N. Cherokee Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028

At this event, volunteers will help kick off Big Sunday’s Food Pantry with hands-on activities including food sorting and packing — a great opportunity to serve our community and help fight food insecurity right here in Hollywood. All ages are welcome to participate, and groups are encouraged to sign up together.

👉 Volunteer Registration:
Be sure to register in advance to secure your spot:
🔗 https://bigsundayorg.wufoo.com/forms/zbpsgkr0trrq2s/

(Even if you register via the Wilshire Rotary website, please make sure you are also officially registered on the Big Sunday website)

Whether you’re interested in serving on March 13th, sponsoring food items, or learning how your workplace, school, or faith group can host a food drive, Big Sunday offers multiple ways to get involved and make an impact.

Let’s come together to support this new service initiative and help get food to people and families who need it most!

GARRETT TUJAGUE (Pronounced - TOO-jay)

Has enjoyed a stellar career in Football, beginning at Chabot College where he earned All-America honors as an offensive lineman. After two years he transferred to BYU where he played left guard and graduated in 1992.

His impressive coaching assignments included Assistant Coach at Chabot College and The University of Redlands; Head Coach at College of the Canyons; Offensive Line Coach at College of the Canyons, BYU, Virginia, and NC State. He currently is the Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator at NC State.

Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation management from BYU in 1992 and a master’s degree in educational counseling from the University of Redlands in 1997. He is a dedicated husband to Cami and father to son, Carson as well as daughters Savanah and Summer.

We had a blast at last month's comedy night, and this month, Wilshire Rotarians have the opportunity to gather to listen to live music on Wed., March 25th at 7PM at The Mint.  If you wish to attend, please go to www.themintla.com and purchase tickets for the 7PM show on the 25th.  They start at $15.45.  I am not familiar with this singer, but in listening to music on line, I think it is nice pop that will appeal to many.  Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can save seats accordingly.

Master Simon Rhee is a World Tae Kwon Do Kukkiwon–certified 7th degree Black Belt, Tournament Grand Champion, stuntman, actor, and fight choreographer. He has designed fight scenes and trained Hollywood stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Cruise, and Keanu Reeves. A past president of the International Stunt Association, he is a Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame inductee and a recipient of multiple Taurus World Stunt Awards.