On March 20, the Dougherty Valley San Ramon Rotary Foundation hosted the 17th annual San Ramon Valley Community Fair with the intention to unite the community over charity and recreation.

With the assistance of the City of San Ramon, San Ramon Valley Council of PTA and San Ramon Valley Unified School District, the event was organized in the Dougherty Valley High School Commons, where representatives from local organizations presented on the various programs and services they offer to community members. There were nine categories of clubs present at the community fair: academic enrichment, art, camps/recreation, childcare, clubs/service organizations, enrichment classes, music, sports/martial arts and non-profits.

The Pleasanton chapter of the Order of DeMolay was one of the service organizations present at the event. The various chapters cooperate to improve their respective communities planning fun events, fundraisers for non-profits and charity projects. Most importantly, DeMolay endeavors to thoroughly prepare students for the corporate world by, among other steps, teaching them how to network. Much of the networking occurs within the organization itself: DeMolay creates an international brotherhood by facilitating social connections between members of different continents.

“Our mission is to teach kids between the age of 12 and 21 leadership skills [so that they are prepared] to help with community service and as well as [take advantage of] scholarship opportunities,” DeMolay member Wyatt Postolaki said.

When asked about his future community goals, Wyatt’s father, Paul Postolaki, said, “Well, it’s Tri-Valley. We are happy to be in San Ramon, Dublin and Pleasanton. We would like to spread the chapter. Anywhere we could help, it would be good. If a park needs cleaning, you know who to call.”

Another club, the Boy Scout Troop 1994, based in Concord, CA, helped fulfill the needs of children with special disabilities through activities like camping, hiking, outings and community service.

“It’s a Boys Scouts troop, and its goal to develop boys into young men. It teaches boys about life skills. What’s unique about our troop is that we work boys who have special needs of some sort,” troop representative Pete Resler explained.

Bok Fu Do, a traditional martial arts academy running since 1967, also displayed its interest in teaching young kids by offering coupons for  =one free introductory lesson.

“We really teach the students about the mind, body and spirit, not just the workout,” Bok Fu Do representative Angie Dominguez said.

By showcasing a diversity of activities and cultures, the San Ramon Valley Community Fair assisted in connecting the San Ramon community. The growing diversity of activities promises to continue sparking innovation in the city’s future.