President Phil Siegle called the meeting to order and Colonel Alden Cunningham lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Past President Bob Doerr’s invocation morphed into an update on our wonderful friend Jim Shypertt’s current status. Jim is now residing at Mills Estates and welcomes visitors.
Club Announcements:
Calling all Rotary volunteers! Past President Fritz Braunner announced our club’s new community service project that we’ll perform immediately after the 2/26 lunch meeting from 1:45 to 2:45pm. We’ll be partnering with local non-profit Sonrisas Dental Health by packing oral health goodie bags to help kids combat childhood dental decay. Our club has a rich history of sugar-free support for Sonrisas including grant awards. In fact, Past President (and retired Dentist) Dick Gregory, was also a Sonrisas co-founder. Now retired, Captain Ahab…er…Dentist Dick… continues to don his neoprene flippers in his relentless pursuit of the great white abalone that took his leg. If ya know, ya know.
Club Secretary Marilyn Orr announced that she’s got extra copies of the Oprah-endorsed and NYT best seller Burlingame Rotary’s First 100 years book. Red hot rumor… Coming in summer 2025 as a soon-to-be HBO blockbuster mini-series starring Sir Ted Kruttschnitt as Lord Beaverbrook and introducing talented newcomer Christine Krolik as the alluring Kathy Selden. Roll camera’s Mr. DeMille!
Jennifer Pence was recruiting Rotarians to help with another round of mock interviews with BHS’ AVID group of juniors and seniors as they prepare themselves for their next chapter. Having joined in a few times, I can tell you that this is important and rewarding work. Please sign up for April 10 and/or April 17 at BHS. Details to come.
OMG OMG OMG…”She said Yes”!!!
And now…the big announcement. Our proud Honorary Rotarian friend and Sapore Ristorante’s favorite son, Jonnie Dukes, is getting married to his charming Anita on October 18th. In a particularly poignant moment, Jonnie described their romantic journey. The story was vintage Jonnie. In a world that’s gone absolutely bonkers, isn’t it nice to hear a tale about two young love-struck kids tying the knot? Serious, could there be a sweeter couple? 😊
From Shadows to Freedom…Escape from the Taliban:
Past President, longtime Burlingame public servant and bi-coastal Rotarian Joe Galligan described his family’s engaging tale of their adopted sister.
This story seamlessly transitioned into his introduction of our incredible speaker, Shahzad Raufi.
Shahzad shared his family’s harrowing immigration journey from Afghanistan to Pakistan and, ultimately, on to America. His parents were well-respected and beloved members of their Pakistani family in their rural, Taliban-run community on the Afghani/Paki border. His father was a pediatrician for the Red Cross and his mom was the local elementary school principal. Life was good for their large, popular family as their parents honorably served their community.
Until it wasn’t.
One day, photographers came to town and took some seemingly innocuous pics of Shahzad’s family and some others in the community. Fast-forward…these pics later appeared in a movie with a feminist majority theme unbeknownst to the family. One night Shahzad’s father was kidnapped by the Taliban. For six long months, his father endured savage beatings, and he was starved and tortured without knowing why. Meanwhile, the family had no idea where he was or if they’d ever see him again. He was finally advised about the movie which they felt betrayed their cultural mores. He was released and warned to leave the community that they loved immediately. And leave they did.
Their journey to freedom led them to Burlingame, California in the good ‘ol USA. Every member of the family are now prideful and productive American citizens and are they’re incredibly grateful to be here. As Shahzad told this story his emotions were evident, and we all shared this powerful moment. You could hear a pin drop during this mesmerizing story.
As always, inquiring Rotarian minds asked many insightful questions. President Phil then adjourned the meeting.
Happy Lunar New Year everyone. Interestingly, it’s the year of the snake.
Did you know that the health of your teeth and gums can affect your overall health and emotional well-being? For children, dental problems can even impact physical development and academic performance!
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and Dr. Bonnie Jue, Assistant Clinical Professor at UCSF School of Dentistry and Community Engagement Director at Sonrisas Dental Health, will share helpful tips on simple ways to elevate your smile and support children in our community on their journey to better health.
Following the meeting, we will be assembling oral health kits to be donated to thousands of children in San Mateo County, helping them start the year with a focus on optimal oral health.
