Our upcoming program will feature Christine Fumiko Asoo Umeda, who will share her personal experiences of being incarcerated as a child in America’s concentration camps during World War II. At just four years old, Christine and her family were forced into the Tule Lake and Topez camps after the United States government ordered more than 110,000 Japanese immigrants and Japanese American citizens to leave their homes and live in remote, military-style camps facilities.
Christine is the daughter of immigrant parents, Bunzo and Harue Fujiwara Asoo. She later went on to earn both her BA and a Master’s in Social Work from CSUS. Her professional career included serving as Japanese Community Counselor and later Executive Director of Pacific Community Counseling (Stepping Stones), as well as Supervisor/Manager with the State Department of Mental Health. Christine and her husband, Stan, were also among the founding parents of Jan Ken Po Gakko- a parent cooperative Japanese American cultural school for children- and the Florin Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). In addition, she chaired the JACL’s Time of Remembrance Program for 20 years, helping preserve and share the history of Japanese American incarceration.
In retirement, Christine enjoys traveling, attending Broadway shows and Japanese films, reading, music, and especially spending time with her grandchildren, Kenji and Koji Lo and Jaelin and Jaselle Umeda.
Joining Christine will be Mana Nozue, an incoming freshman at UC Santa Barbara who will study Marine Science at the College of Creative Studies. Mana is passionate about marine life and hopes to pursue a career shaping policies to protect marine ecosystems.
She discovered a calling for social justice and advocacy after facing a bullying incident with a teacher in high school, which led her to join the Florin JACL. There she serves on the Manzanar Pilgrimage Committee, working to educate others about Japanese American history and inspire people to stand up to injustice.
In her free time, Mana enjoys synchronized swimming, springboard diving, movies, music and is looking forward to learning how to surf and dive while in college.
Last week’s program featured our own Dave Sargent, President of the Rotary Club of Cameron Park Community Foundation (CPRCF) Board. This meeting also served as our annual foundation meeting, where next year’s board officers were elected. Congratulations to: Dave Sargent- President, Anne Eckert- Secretary, Gary Gall- Investments, and Shawn Khales- Treasurer. Dave reminded us that all club members are automatically members of the Foundation.
Dave then guided us through key topics, beginning with the distinction between the Rotary International (RI) Foundation and the CPRCF. The RI Foundation, directed by Rotary International, addresses global humanitarian needs. In contrast, the CPRCF is governed locally by our club’s board members and focuses directly on our community. It includes the Darol Rasmussen Endowment Fund along with other funds contributed by our members, and it also serves as a nonprofit, tax-deductible vehicle for outside organizations to hold funds earmarked for charitable purposes. Like the RI Foundation, members can make tax-deductible contributions to the CPRCF—and even direct their gifts to specific funds. Upon request, tax ID information is available to assist with local donations. Dave encouraged more members to participate in this giving opportunity.
Of all his Rotary commitments, Dave shared that his role with the CPRCF is closest to his heart. He has witnessed firsthand the Foundation’s profound impact—funding scholarships, vocational opportunities, and community projects that benefit both youth and adults.
Dave also provided a helpful handout summarizing the difference between the club’s scholarships and the Foundation’s grants. Each year, the Rotary Club of Cameron Park awards $2,000 scholarships (payable over two years) to local students, totaling between $12,000 and $14,000 annually, depending on our fundraising success.
The CPRCF awards two types of grants, both supported by earnings from the Darol Rasmussen Endowment Fund:
- Rasmussen Vocational Grants – open to graduating seniors and adults pursuing vocational paths.
- Perseverance Grant – a major award (over $10,000) for a graduating student who has overcome significant personal obstacles and whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent them from continuing their education. Dave shared inspiring stories of recipients who faced extremely difficult challenges. Because of its size, this grant can only be awarded every other year starting in 2025.
Dave then presented a State of the Foundation update, outlining our current financial standing and initiatives. He also honored the legacy of Darol Rasmussen, whose generosity and vision established the Endowment Fund. A Mountain Democrat article about Darol’s remarkable life was shared, and Ben Folk offered personal reflections, remembering Darol as a man of many talents- politician, developer, author, farmer, dentist, Rotarian, and world traveler. Recognizing that traditional scholarships often overlooked deserving students pursuing vocational careers, Darol created the fund to support these “blue-collar” students.
Thank you, Dave, for delivering an informative and inspiring program, and for your continued dedication to keeping us updated on the Foundation’s impact and the good it makes possible in our community.
President-Elect Dan Gott, filling in for President Adam Marshall, and Foundation Chair Mike Dugan presented Marlyn-Pino-Jones with her Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) +3 recognition. Congratulations Marlyn and thank you for your ongoing support of the RI Foundation!
Dan Gott There is a Christmas Party meeting following today's meeting.
Cathy Dugan There will be Junction Jamboree Summer Farewell Committee meeting following our regular meeting next week. Mark your calendars for the event on September 14. Flyers on tables.
Laurie Edwards Save the Date - Observatory Pizza Party and Stargazing on October 19th.
Gary Clarke/Joe Ryan The Teamsters- Gary, Joe, Dan Gott, Rich Grieco, and Stuart Warner- picked up and delivered 75 bikes from Waste Management to Folsom State Prison last Tuesday. They also picked up 75 refurbished bikes at the prison - 5 were delivered to EDC Probation, 35 to the Afghan Support Center and about 30 are going to Ukraine refugees. Two of the bikes will be or raffled at the Junction Jamboree.
Bill Ettlich Reminded members of Rotarian Greg Wood's Celebration of Life this Saturday at 4:00 PM in Wilton. It is about a 45-50 minute drive from Cameron Park.
Happy (or Not) Bucks
This week was only Sad Bucks due to the tragedy impacting Blue Oak School on Thursday, August 21st. To support the staff, several Rotarians served lunch to them on Monday, August 25th. Today's collection to the CPRCF will go towards reimbursing President Adam for the cost of providing those meals. Please contact Dave Sargent if you need tax ID information for your donation:
Dan Gott -$20, Gary Clarke -$50, Joe Ryan -$50, Marlyn Pino-Jones -$50, Mike and Cathy Dugan -$50, Kathy Thompson - $25, Anne Eckert- $25, Laurie Edwards- $25, Dave Sargent -$100, Tom Elken -$75, and Rich Grieco- $50. Adam Marshall later donated $100 for a total sum of $620.
Birthdays in September
Don Fuller
Dennis Hamilton
Sabrina Ho
Gina Posey
-----Spouse/Partners----
Les Thompson
Anniversaries in September
Dave and Gina Crofut
Adam and Sally Marshall
Dave and Carol Sargent
Rotary Join Date in September
Jim Mog: 2 years
Upcoming Sergeant of Arms Assignments
Please arrive early, serve as greeter, take attendance via the sign-in roster at the front desk, lead the pledge, introduce guests, provide words of wisdom, and other duties as requested. If you are unable to serve, it is your responsibility to find a replacement and notify President Adam.
