Approximately 300 people gathered at Rotary Grove in Smyrna Park Saturday night for the Ceres Rotary Club's Family Movie Night.
The idea, said Rotary's event chairman Mark Price, was to offer families a fun, free activity on a warm summer evening. It was also the club's way of celebrating the completion of the refurbishment of Rotary Grove. Ceres Rotary donated $40,000 toward the Rotary Grove renovation. The project includes the installation of new shade structures this week.
"It was a wonderful mix of families," said Community Service Officer Enrique Perez who helped the Rotarians organize the event. "It reminded me of times gone by when neighbors would get together with their children. This was a wonderful night for the citizens of Ceres."
The club advertised the event through over 6,000 flyers sent home with students who just started school in Ceres.
The Disney movie, Nim's Island, was shown on a large screen, guarded by a life-size statue of a pirate who proved to be very popular for photo-ops. Al Almond from the Modesto Nuts was also on hand to lend a little fun to the festivities, and Central Valley High School's Interact Club (sponsored by Ceres Rotary) helped the Rotarians distribute free popcorn. The Whitmore Charter Youthact Club, also sponsored by Ceres Rotary, sold drinks and candy while the dance team from Ceres High School sold shaved ice.
The Rotarians collected six big boxes of school supplies donated by families. The club will provide them to needy children in Ceres.
"This was so much fun," said Club president Emily Carlson. The weather was perfect and it was a great opportunity to showcase Rotary Grove, and for the Rotarians to give back to the citizens of Ceres."
Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self" and the local club sponsors projects both locally and internationally.
"I think we'll do more movie nights here. The evaluation from parents and kids was overwhelmingly positive. It's nice to be able to offer families some fun entertainment that doesn't cost anything in these hard economic times. I think our club members had as much fun as the kids."
The idea, said Rotary's event chairman Mark Price, was to offer families a fun, free activity on a warm summer evening. It was also the club's way of celebrating the completion of the refurbishment of Rotary Grove. Ceres Rotary donated $40,000 toward the Rotary Grove renovation. The project includes the installation of new shade structures this week.
"It was a wonderful mix of families," said Community Service Officer Enrique Perez who helped the Rotarians organize the event. "It reminded me of times gone by when neighbors would get together with their children. This was a wonderful night for the citizens of Ceres."
The club advertised the event through over 6,000 flyers sent home with students who just started school in Ceres.
The Disney movie, Nim's Island, was shown on a large screen, guarded by a life-size statue of a pirate who proved to be very popular for photo-ops. Al Almond from the Modesto Nuts was also on hand to lend a little fun to the festivities, and Central Valley High School's Interact Club (sponsored by Ceres Rotary) helped the Rotarians distribute free popcorn. The Whitmore Charter Youthact Club, also sponsored by Ceres Rotary, sold drinks and candy while the dance team from Ceres High School sold shaved ice.
The Rotarians collected six big boxes of school supplies donated by families. The club will provide them to needy children in Ceres.
"This was so much fun," said Club president Emily Carlson. The weather was perfect and it was a great opportunity to showcase Rotary Grove, and for the Rotarians to give back to the citizens of Ceres."
Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self" and the local club sponsors projects both locally and internationally.
"I think we'll do more movie nights here. The evaluation from parents and kids was overwhelmingly positive. It's nice to be able to offer families some fun entertainment that doesn't cost anything in these hard economic times. I think our club members had as much fun as the kids."
