Every student deserves access to basic school supplies. This year, the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning took action to support students both locally and internationally, focusing on this essential need.
To kick off their efforts, the club organized community school supply drives, collecting donations to fill backpacks with much-needed materials. These drives not only gathered supplies but also raised awareness about the ongoing need to support students. Whether here at home or abroad, one thing is clear: children everywhere need school supplies to thrive and learn.
Locally, the club provided supplies to twelve classrooms, making sure that students had the tools they needed to succeed. Internationally, their outreach extended to Mexicali, where the club packed and delivered 100 fully stocked backpacks. A dedicated team—Mary Layman, Carie Smith, Diana Orneles, and Sheila Hess—personally drove the backpacks to Mexicali. During their visit, they partnered with the Rotary Club of Palm Springs, District 5330, to help clean up public parks, paint schools, and distribute essential goods to the community.
For Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning's President Mary Layman (2024–2025), the experience was deeply meaningful. “Saving one child may not make a difference to the world, but it makes a world of difference to that one child,”she shared.
The Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning’s work is a powerful reminder that with collective effort and compassion, we can create lasting change—one backpack, one classroom, and one child at a time.
