We were honored to host Todd S. Jenkins, founder of LA Kings Sled Hockey, as our guest speaker. Todd shared the story of how a search for an adaptive sport for his son Nick — born with Spina Bifida — led him and his wife Christie to launch Southern California’s first sled hockey program back in 2013. What started as a small grassroots effort has since become the official Los Angeles Kings Sled Hockey program, giving disabled kids and adults across the region the chance to play competitive, adaptive ice hockey.

Todd talked about the team’s growth, the volunteers and donors who keep it running, and the powerful impact the sport has had on athletes’ confidence, community, and quality of life — including their first championship win.

Thank you, Todd, for sharing your story and the incredible work you’re doing! To learn more or support the team, visit lakingssledhockey.com.

We also had the chance to welcome back Albert Carillo.  Albert was previously a member of Riverside East Rotary and recently re-joined.  We’re excited to have him aboard!

Our club welcomed Jennifer Contreras, Community Engagement Specialist at Ontario International Airport, this past Wednesday. She gave us an update on the airport’s continued growth, including its 10th anniversary of local control this November, several new nonstop routes launching this year (Honolulu and Chicago O’Hare among them), and record passenger numbers expected this summer. Thanks, Jennifer, for the great update on our hometown airport!

Today Riverside East Rotary was lucky to be joined by local writer, educator, and community booster Larry Burns, who shared his frontline experience navigating generative AI in the classroom at Riverside City College. Rather than banning AI or blindly embracing it, he’s helped students to better understand it and to start thinking critically about it as a tool.

We were also happy to welcome back our new Club President, Nick Lopez, from his travels abroad!

Today at Riverside East Rotary, we were honored to hear from Ken MacKillop, an Outreach Worker with the City of Riverside’s Public Safety and Engagement Team (PSET) — the people on the front lines of our community’s response to homelessness.

Ken gave us an up-close look at his journey to the role and to of the human side of this work: meeting people where they are, connecting them to resources, and building the trust that’s often the first step toward a path off the streets. It’s not easy, but it’s some of the most important work happening in our city right now.

As we head into a new Rotary year, we have much to celebrate and much to look forward to.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to outgoing President Gary Christmas for an outstanding year of leadership. Gary brought dedication, energy, and heart to everything he did for our club, and we are deeply grateful for his service.

Congratulations to Nick Lopez, now officially our Club President! Nick has already been out representing Riverside East Rotary on the world stage, and we can’t wait to see the impact he’ll make this year.

Riverside East Rotary is also proud to be well-represented at the District 5330 level. Richard Lemire serves as District Governor, Julia Bennet as District Public Image chair, Francis Reyes in International Service, and Matt Goatcher as Assistant Governor.

Rotary International’s theme for the coming year is “Create Lasting Impact,” set by incoming RI President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola. It’s a charge that speaks directly to who we are and what we do every week here in Riverside.

Here’s to a great year ahead!

This week at Riverside East Rotary, we welcomed Jim Selth, a retired bankruptcy attorney and fellow Rotarian from the Murrieta Rotary Club. Jim shared his insights from a distinguished legal career navigating one of the most challenging areas of law — helping individuals and businesses find a financial fresh start during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

It’s always a pleasure to connect with Rotarians from across our region!

After leaving Taipei, President Elect Nick Lopez has continued on his goodwill tour to Japan, and continues to be reminded of Rotary everywhere he goes.

Arriving in Tokyo:

Tater Tots with a local twist:

Rotary Banner exchange with fellow  Joyce from Nairobi, Kenya.

And pictured here with spouses:

Riverside welcomed its very first Peace Pole today, dedicated at the garden in front of the Military Wall of Honor at City Hall.

The pole, donated by Riverside East Rotary Club, carries the message “May Peace Prevail On Earth” in four languages — English, Spanish, Japanese, and Chamorro, the native language of Guam and the Pacific islands. It is a reflection of the diverse voices that make our community whole.

Councilman Philip Falcone served as Master of Ceremonies, joined by Riverside East Rotary Club founding President and incoming District 5330 Governor Richard Lemire, District Peace Chair Rudy Westervelt, and Riverside East Community Service Chair Christopher Cox. The dedication was also attended by members of Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club, Moreno Valley Rotary Club, and the E-Club of World Peace.

Timed to coincide with the spirit of America 250, this Peace Pole stands as a lasting symbol of unity, liberty, and hope — not just for today, but for generations to come.

Peace Poles have been planted in over 200,000 communities on every continent. Learn more about the Peace Pole Project: https://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoleproject/

Thanks to Stan Fry for the excellent photos of this event!