Down the Rabbit Hole - June 20th 2026
Mark your calendars and hold your beer! We are thrilled to announce our next big fundraising event at The Oaks Mall on June 20th, 2026. Get ready for an unforgettable day filled with live music, refreshing drinks, and plenty of surprises. You won’t want to miss this—stay tuned for more details!
Easter Baskets for Foster Kids
Last week, Andie, Lilu, and I spent a few hours with my Rotary Club putting together Easter baskets for the kids at James Storehouse. It wasn’t a long day, but it’s a project that truly means a lot to us.
As a former foster kid, I still remember exactly what it felt like to be in their shoes—wondering if anyone was thinking about you or if a holiday would just feel like any other day. Those little baskets of treats are more than just candy; they’re a reminder to a child that they haven’t been forgotten. Now that our family is in the middle of our own adoption journey, it felt even more special to give back to this community. We’re so grateful to play a small part in bringing some joy to these kids.
Peace Day February 13th 2026
On February 13th, a group of our dedicated Rotarians visited the local community center to spend the day with the inspiring youth from the Boys & Girls Club. It was a wonderful afternoon filled with laughter, shared lunches, and plenty of play as we focused on celebrating and promoting the core Rotary value of peace. By connecting with these bright young minds, we aimed to foster a spirit of harmony and understanding within our own neighborhood, proving that building a more peaceful world starts with simple, local acts of friendship.
President Elect Learning Seminar
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend a leadership conference specifically designed to prepare me for my upcoming term as President of my Rotary Club. It was an inspiring experience where I connected with fellow local professionals and shared ideas on how we can better serve our neighbors. Interestingly, out of the 850 attendees, only about 12 of us were under the age of 35, highlighting a unique opportunity for younger generations to step into these vital leadership roles. I’m looking forward to leading our club’s global and local mission of 'service above self' with a fresh perspective.
Down the Rabbit Hole - June 20th 2026
Mark your calendars and hold your beer! We are thrilled to announce our next big fundraising event at The Oaks Mall on June 20th, 2026. Get ready for an unforgettable day filled with live music, refreshing drinks, and plenty of surprises. You won’t want to miss this—stay tuned for more details!
2026 Goals
Looking ahead to 2026, we’re proud to continue our support of James Storehouse and other impactful nonprofits. In July, I (James) will step into the role of President of my Rotary Club, which will expand our ability to champion community initiatives locally—and even internationally. If there’s a nonprofit you’re passionate about, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out and let us know how we can partner to make a difference.
Open Drive for James Storehouse
Together, we are making a meaningful difference through our Conejo branch's donation drive for James Storehouse. We are truly energized by the support so far. Thanks to our collective efforts, we have already provided items like a bunk bed, a couch, and a crockpot that have gone directly to local foster children and families.
To build on this wonderful start, we are hoping to gather more essential items by December 31st. We are currently seeking specific goods such as queen sheets, pots and pans, twin bed frames, double strollers, and laptops for teens. This cause is deeply important to us, and we are grateful for any contribution you can make. All donations are tax-deductible, and please contact James Shipe to arrange a simple drop-off. Let's continue this positive impact together.
Rotary Club of Westlake Village
"Holidays in the Village"
We were proud to sponsor Holidays in The Village on December 6th, 2025, at the Oaks Mall. This was our second-year sponsoring and the 4th year that the Rotary Club of Westlake Village hosted this event.
I helped at the event again in 2025, building on his success leading it in 2024 when we raised over $40,000 for local charities with nearly 10,000 people in attendance. This year’s event was an even bigger success, with over 14,000 people joining in the celebration. This time we raised over $80,000. As always, 100% of the proceeds supported local charities.
We are grateful to everyone who volunteered, sponsored, and attended—and we look forward to being part of this wonderful community event again next year. In fact, we are already planning for 2026, where we intend to make the event even bigger and better!
To learn more, visit:https://holidaysinthevillage.org/
"Bowls of Hope"
This year, my wife, my daughter, and I attended Many Mansions’ Bowls of Hope event together, and it became a special family memory. We joined hundreds of others in helping raise money to support safe, affordable housing for local families, and we each had the chance to sit down and paint bowls that will be used at future events. Watching my daughter carefully paint her bowl while we talked about why we were there made the experience especially meaningful. It was a simple but powerful way to teach her about giving back, creativity, and community—all while supporting an organization that is changing lives close to home.
"Children's Shopping Spree"
This year we raised funds so that in December we can take kids in need holiday shopping.
"Backpacks for Students"
This last month, James, his wife and their daughter, partnered with their Rotary Club, Safe Passage and Art Trek; to fill over 800 Backpacks filled with School Supplies for local Kids in need. These backpacks go to the local community to ensure that all kids regardless of income have opportunities to receive a proper education.
"Please note: The charitable entities and/or fundraising opportunities described herein are not endorsed by, or affiliated with Cetera Advisors LLC or its affiliates. Our philanthropic interests are personal to us and are not reviewed, sponsored, or approved by Cetera Advisors LLC."