THE ROTARY UPDATE
November 2026 · Service Above Self in the Eastern Coachella Valley
⚙️ A Message from the President
Dear Members and Friends of Rotary Club of Coachella Valley,
This fall has been full of reasons to be grateful. In October, we heard from a community leader who grew up right here in the Eastern Coachella Valley, and heard about the work of the high school students our club has long sponsored, who are already leading through service. Both reminded me that the work we do today is building the leaders of tomorrow.
November is Rotary Foundation Month. The Foundation is how Rotarians turn generosity into lasting change, from ending polio around the world to supporting projects in our own communities. On November 14, Rotarians from across our district will gather at the District 5330 Foundation Dinner to celebrate that work.
This month we also honor our veterans on November 11, and as Thanksgiving approaches, I want to thank each of you for the time and heart you give to this club and to our community.
My ask this month: join us on November 11 and help us get ready for the holiday season. Our Holiday Food & Gift Drive is one of the best ways we serve families in the Eastern Coachella Valley, and every member can play a part.
Go Rotary!
Maximiliano “Max” Ochoa
President, Rotary Club of Coachella Valley
“The work we do today is building the leaders of tomorrow.”
🗓️ October in Review
October brought two programs about building community from the ground up: one about the places we live, and one about the young people who will lead them.
October 14: Design That Starts With Community
Christian Rodriguez, Community Principal at Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI), grew up in the Eastern Coachella Valley, and it showed in every story he shared. His message: good design can’t happen without the community. It takes community input, and it has to reflect the people it serves. KDI works internationally, with offices in Los Angeles, Nairobi, Stockholm, and the Coachella Valley, bringing resources and development to disadvantaged communities with residents shaping the process.
The impact Christian is proudest of isn’t the awards. It’s young people who came to meetings with their parents years ago and are now leading as partners and community advocates.
October 28: Students Ready to Serve
Simon Moore of Coachella Valley High School caught us up on students our club knows well. As the sponsoring club for CVHS Interact, Rotary’s service club for young people, we have a long partnership with the school, and many of these students are also part of the Health Academy and HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Simon’s idea is to build on what already works, connecting these programs so Rotary and students can serve together without duplicating efforts.
One standout: the Health Academy Assessment Team, students trained and certified in first aid, CPR, and patient assessment, who serve as pre-first responders at home games, school events, and graduation. Simon also shared ideas for connecting students with Rotary vocational service, building toward a project around Vocational Service Month in January.
📅 Join Us This Month
Wednesday, November 11, 2026
5:30 PM Dinner & Social | 6:00 PM Program
Sloan’s Restaurant, 81539 US Highway 111, Indio, CA 92201
Program featuring Alexis Galarza of Desert Recreation District, who will share how this year’s Holiday Food & Gift Drive works and how members can get involved. As November 11 is also Veterans Day, we’ll take a moment to honor the veterans in our club, our families, and our community.
No meeting on Wednesday, November 25, as we take Thanksgiving week off. We’ll see you again in December.
Members, prospective members, and anyone curious about Rotary are welcome. Spending the winter in the desert? Visiting Rotarians are always welcome to join us. No reservation required; just come hungry and ready to connect.
🎁 Holiday Food & Gift Drive
Our club is proud to once again partner with Desert Recreation District on the 2026 Holiday Food & Gift Drive. This year’s goal is to help 60 families in the Eastern Coachella Valley have a brighter holiday season.
Drive dates: November 2–30, 2026
Where to give: donation bins at most DRD community centers (see the flyer for the full list of locations)
Most needed: non-perishable food, warm clothing, blankets, and gift cards for families of all ages
Volunteer with us: Help is needed to sort donations during distribution week and on the day of the event, Friday, December 11, 3:00–8:00 PM, at the Mecca Community Center. Let Max know if you’d like to volunteer with the club, or contact Alexis Galarza at Desert Recreation District directly at agalarza@drd.us.com.
Alexis will join us at our November 11 meeting to share more about the drive and answer your questions.
🎄 Save the Date: Club Holiday Party
Save the weekend of December 12–13 to celebrate the season with fellow members, families, and friends. Venue and details coming soon.
📣 Share Your News
Working on a project, attending a Rotary event, or celebrating a milestone? Send a few sentences and a photo to rotaryclubofthecoachellavalley@gmail.com and we may feature it in next month’s newsletter, on our website, or on social media.
🌵 Who We Are
Chartered in 1963, the Rotary Club of Coachella Valley serves the Coachella Valley Unified School District and the Eastern Coachella Valley communities of Coachella, Mecca, Thermal, North Shore, and Oasis, one of the Valley’s great agricultural regions.
But our work goes well beyond that: education, youth leadership, health, and community service.
🤝 Get Involved
⚙️ Attend a meeting
No RSVP needed. Just show up and bring a friend.
🎓 Support local youth & education
Help us mentor and support students across the CVUSD community.
💡 Bring a project idea
Have a cause or partnership you’d love to see the club take on? We want to hear it.
🌟 Consider membership
Curious about what it means to be a Rotarian? Come to a meeting as our guest and see for yourself.
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Rotary Club of Coachella Valley · Club #867 · District 5330
Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday, 5:30 PM · Sloan’s Restaurant, Indio, CA
📩 rotaryclubofthecoachellavalley@gmail.com · 🌐 coachellavalleyrotary.org
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