POLLOCK PINES-CAMINO ROTARY CLUB

Serving The Communities of
Pollock Pines and Camino for over 76 Years

The first official meeting of the newly chartered Rotary Club of Pollock Pines was held at the Pollock Pines School on June 23, 1948, at 8:00 P.M. The meal was provided by the PTA. There were 19 charter members. John Roy, president 1950-1951, made this lectern. A charter member was John Drury, owner of the 50 Grand Restaurant.

The first order of business was to deal with the water issue. Specifically, the new BOD was asked to meet with the local government agency to address the quality of water for consumptive use in the Pollock Pines/Fresh Pond Utilities District. It is ironic that 63 years later, El Dorado County is still addressing much the same water issues.

For the past 65 years, the Pollock Pines/Camino Rotary Club has promoted the goal of Rotary “Service to the Community”. Some of the club service highlights of past years include the following:

1950-60 Annual Christmas Decorating Contest in Pollock Pines

First Annual Easter Egg hunt at Totem Pole Town (now the site of the Post Office)

Established a Girl Scout Camp at Ice House and built a bridge across Silver Creek to provide access.

Built a dance floor at the Fire Station

Built the first school bus shelter

Original sponsor of the Wagon Train and July 4th festivities

Construction of the Boy Scout Hut that is now the Senior Center

Held an Annual Christmas Tree Sale (300 plus trees/yr). That was when you could cut your trees in the National Forest.

1970s: Sponsored the local Brownie Troop

Built Bleachers at Forebay Field for Little League

Sponsored Girl Scout Troop 131

Constructed 24 benches for the county fairground

Sold the Scout Hut to Recreation Unlimited for $1.00

Easter Egg Hunt moved to Forebay Field

Started Thanksgiving and Christmas Baskets for ALTA

Note: During a Rotary District Conference, the Pollock Pines Rotary Club pilfered the official District bell. The bell was returned with the understanding that the Governor would donate $50 to the Rotary Foundation in the club’s name. President Val Passetti, Vice-President John Nash, and Rotarian Charlie Parker were present at the time.

1980’s:  The club sponsored the first Pollock Pines School Spelling Bee.

 Sponsored Boy Scout Troop 164

Started weekly bingo fundraiser at Sportsman’s Hall.

1990s: Replaced dedication plaque at Sly Park Lake

Instituted Bill Piazza and Floyd Poole Memorial Scholarship Fund

Constructed the Welcome to Pollock Pines Sign

Instituted Career Day at El Dorado High School

Initiated (under President Jim Fletcher) the annual Walk Against Drugs

Held the First Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser at Camino Heights

Sponsored Youth Exchange Students to foreign countries

2000’s Funded replacement books for Pollock Pines School after closure of the middle school

Funded the local Boys and Girls scouts with Monte Carlo and Comedy Nights

Funded replacement band instruments and music supplies for Sierra Ridge School

Established an annual fall fundraiser “Evening in the Orchard” for school projects

Provided funding for repairs to the vandalized Camino School field

Funded supplies for the Science Department at Sierra Ridge School

2005 Established an annual free community “Breakfast with Santa”

2007 Established an annual Dictionary for Third Graders program

Sponsored our first RYLA student

Began new fundraiser Chili Cook-off held in June replaced in 2011 with the Bowl-A Thon in March

2012 Chartered Interact Clubs at Sierra Ridge Middle School AND Camino School