Riverside East Rotary was joined today by Ward 3 Councilmember Stephen Robillard. And we were excited to induct our newest members: Cole and Amanda from Two Trees Catering!
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We were honored to welcome Shelia McLean, LMFT, CEO and Founder of Plan-It Life, Inc. — a local nonprofit residential treatment center providing a safe haven for abused and neglected teens ages 12–18 right here in Riverside County.
Founded in 2001, Plan-It Life operates four residential homes across the Inland Empire, offering at-risk youth individual and group therapy, academic support, life skills training, and so much more — all with the goal of helping young people take control of their futures.
Shelia’s passion for these kids is truly contagious. Thank you for visiting our club and sharing more about your work!
We also had the chance to recognize President Elect Nick Lopez for his Paul Harris +1. Congratulations Nick!
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This week, Riverside East Rotary had the opportunity to visit exhibits for the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California right next door to our meeting location.
We explored two powerful exhibits that highlight important stories from our region’s history. Dr. Norman Towels guided us through the Legacy of Clarence Muse exhibit, which features artifacts from his extensive collection celebrating the life and career of Clarence Muse — a pioneering Black actor, writer, and composer who appeared in more than 200 films and helped challenge racist stereotypes in early Hollywood. Muse, who lived in nearby Perris, used his platform to push for greater dignity and representation in entertainment. Dr Towels is also a member of the Perris Rotary Club so it was great to have him visit us.
We also toured the Out in the I.E. exhibition with Robert Merrill. This exhibit explores the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in the Inland Empire, covering themes like activism, art, political representation, and community care across several decades. The exhibit highlights personal stories, milestones, and the ongoing efforts that have helped shape a more inclusive community throughout the Inland Empire.
A big thank you to Dr. Towels and Robert Merrill for sharing these important stories and helping us better understand the diverse history of our region.
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Today at Riverside East Rotary, we had the pleasure of hearing from our newest member, Tim Kelley, who gave a fascinating presentation about the U.S. Merchant Marines.
We were also honored to be joined by Nancy Melendez from the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation, where we had the opportunity to present a check in support of their work preserving Riverside’s rich history.
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Thank you to Darrilyn Erickson for visiting our club! She shared information about the Riverside Flower Show and Garden Tour and the ways it supports gardening and beautification throughout Riverside. The next tour is coming up April 25 & 26, 2026 from 9am – 5pm.
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On February 25th Christopher Cox, Tom Evans, and Matt Goatcher from Riverside East Rotary again helped support Project Food at the First Congregational Church on Mission Inn. We were also joined by Maxwell Setsoafia from the Rotary Club of Greater Riverside. Project Food helps to serve a hot, sit down dinner every Wednesday along with clothing and blankets in order to bring comfort and dignity to those in need.
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Great weekend at District 5330 PELS!
Huge compliment to incoming District Governor Richard Lemire — his energy was absolutely contagious and set an exciting tone for the year ahead.
We had a great time, learned so much , and was also inspired by so many amazing speakers and stories of extraordinary accomplishments by Rotarians all over the world! Feeling inspired and ready for a strong Rotary year ahead!
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Today Riverside East Rotary was joined by Dr. Tiffanie Tate, MD, to speak on her new book. Thank you for joining us Dr. Tate!
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Riverside East Rotary enjoyed hearing from Ken Crawford, a local writer and arts storyteller. Best known for his frequent contributions to The Riversider and the Raincross Gazette, he is currently working on 60 Miles East. This project explores Riverside’s rich creative history through music, art, and local culture. The project documents and celebrates the city’s artistic roots, including iconic spaces like Spanky’s Café and the Barn, while highlighting the people and movements that helped shape Riverside’s cultural identity.
Thank you to Ken for continuing to tell Riverside’s creative story!
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Riverside East Rotary was well-represented at Pre-PELS this year. This preparation for all incoming presidents of District 5330 was led by our very own Richard Lemire, District Governor Elect. Additionally Susan Freeman led a session on Member Engagement, and Julia Bennett led a session on Public Relations. Also in attendance were Matt Goatcher, current and incoming Assistant District Governor of Area 9, and Nick Lopez, President Elect of Riverside East Rotary.
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