Rotary Club of Burbank

11/02/2026

This past week our Rotary Club of Burbank Evening Satellite Club inducted three new members. We welcomed Michelle Bowman, Brianne Bear and Ward Smith to our Rotary Family.

11/01/2026

A wonderful write up in MyBurbank.com about last weekends World Polio Day. Thank you myBurbank

Rotary clubs throughout Burbank came together on Saturday, October 24, to mark World Polio Day and renew their commitment to one of Rotary International’s longest-running and most significant humanitarian efforts: eradicating polio worldwide.

10/25/2026

Burbank Goes Red for World Polio Day!

Yesterday, Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Burbank united on the steps of Burbank City Hall as the Mayor and City Council illuminated the building in red and presented us with an official proclamation in recognition of World Polio Day!

Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio is the organization’s largest global disease prevention campaign. Thanks to decades of dedication, fundraising, and partnerships, the world is now more than 99.9% polio-free. Yet, the fight is not over. Last year, just over 50 cases of wild poliovirus were reported in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For decades, our local Rotary clubs have helped raise funds to support this historic mission. Every contribution, every fundraiser, and every Rotarian who steps up brings us closer to a world where no child ever has to suffer from this preventable disease.

We are proud to stand together with the City of Burbank in support of this life-changing mission. Together, we can finish what we started and make polio history!

tamala4burbank Burbank Sunrise Rotary City of Burbank - Government burbankca Rotary International

10/16/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Gabriela Sillas, our October Student of the Month!

A student at Bret Harte Elementary School, Gabriela was recognized for her strong work ethic, commitment to good citizenship, and positive impact on her school community. Her kindness, leadership, and willingness to help others make her a wonderful role model for her peers.

Gabriela is pictured with her parents, Alfredo and Fidelia Sillas, along with BUSD Superintendent Tom McCoy, Director Rebecca Harris, Principal Lucia Bowers, Burbank Noon Rotary President Scott Rife, and Community Service Chair Cindy Akuin.

Way to go, Gabriela! We are proud to celebrate your achievements and look forward to all you accomplish in the future. 🌟👏
Burbank Unified School District Burbank Unified School District

10/15/2026

Have you ever met a person whose name matches their personality? That's our member, Sunny Singer! A smile as bright as the 🌞 and always a welcoming presence at our noon meetings and our evening mixers. A member since 2015, Sunny currently serves as Club Service Chair. She's pictured here with Immediate Past President Cynthia Wagner! Join us in congratulating Sunny Singer as Rotarian of the Year for our club!

10/06/2026

Barry William Sylvester
May 31, 1941 — Sep 15, 2026

Barry will always be remembered for his service to others... 1997-98 President of Burbank Rotary, Scoutmaster, Softball Coach, Neighbor, Friend, Trustee. Pops was a Hero and father figure to many.

Born in New York, his family moved to Southern California at the age of 4. Burbank was his hometown for many years. There he raised a family with Jan Sylvester & was a very well-respected CPA.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Sally & George Martin, brothers Frank & Walt Sylvester, and survived by his sisters, Carole Donohue & Diane Sylvester-Appleman.

Barry and his dear dog, Missy, moved to Washington early this year to live with his daughter, Kimberly Sylvester, and her fiancé, Patrick Farley. Together with Patrick's mom, Elaine, they shared many memorable adventures, laughter, and peace. Oh, and ICE CREAM!Treasured memories keep his love and spirit alive.

His name will live on with his sons, Ty Sylvester-Gronnier, his husband, Henry Gronnier-Sylvester, Reese Sylvester, and his grandson, Jacob Sylvester, wife Katie & 6 great-grandchildren: Luc, Clara, Collette, Jace, Dean & Rex. He was very proud of his granddaughter, Rain Malzahn...

His friends & past clients have reached out to share their fond stories of Barry. He had no enemies and wanted to help everyone.

09/20/2026

Each month, our club has the privilege of recognizing an exceptional student from the Burbank Unified School District, and in September, we were proud to honor Nicole Nenadov!

Nicole stood out for her outstanding citizenship, strong work ethic, and warm, friendly personality. Her bright, infectious smile lit up the room and reflected the positive spirit she brings to her school community every day.

We were delighted to celebrate this special achievement alongside her proud parents, Cristina and Dali Nenadov, as well as BUSD Superintendent Tom McCoy; Rebecca Harris, Director of Elementary Education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; and George Washington Elementary School Principal Laura Vinyard.

Also joining the celebration were Burbank Noon Rotary President Scott Rife and Youth Service Chair Rashawn Morris.

👏 Congratulations, Nicole! Your hard work, kindness, and positive attitude make you a wonderful role model, and we look forward to seeing all that you accomplish in the future.

09/02/2026

🔥 MEET BURBANK'S 2026 FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR: BRENNAN BLAZER 🔥

We proudly presented the Firefighter of the Year Award to Firefighter Paramedic Brennan Blazer, and made a $1,000 donation to the Burbank Firefighters Foundation in his honor! 💰

Club member and Fire Chief Danny Alvarez's words say it all:
"If you look at what he's done in 3 years, it's more than most people accomplish in 10 or 15 years... When you're looking at what the Burbank Fire Department's future looks like, that's what it looks like right there."

But what truly moved us was Brennan's humble response:
"This award is not one person award... You call 911, this department will treat you as their own brother, their mother, their father, their sister."

In just 3 years, Brennan has:
🎯 Completed company officer coursework & promotional prep
🤝 Served as Secretary-Treasurer on the Union Board
💙 Became a peer support team member for firefighter mental health
🚀 Spearheaded innovative training initiatives
📚 Continues studying paramedic protocols on every shift

Thank you, Brennan, for embodying what it means to serve others! Our donation to the Firefighters Foundation ensures this recognition supports all who serve. 🙏

08/27/2026

Tuesday's meeting had a great turnout from both our club members and the Burbank Police Department! So proud to celebrate the legacy of former Chief of Police Rex Andrews (a Burbank Noon Rotary member) by honoring the outstanding BPD Detective Brian Lee.

08/26/2026

Our club proudly presented the Rex Andrews Police Scholarship to Burbank Police Detective Brian Lee, for his commitment to professional excellence, education, and community service.

Club President Scott Rife presented the scholarship, and Burbank Police Chief Rafael Quintero introduced Detective Lee, highlighting a career marked by professionalism, leadership, and dedication. Chief Quintero noted that Detective Lee served as a field training officer, helping mentor and develop newly hired officers, before being assigned as a detective. He also serves on the department's Honor Guard and previously served 10 years in the United States Marine Corps. Chief Quintero praised Detective Lee's commitment to lifelong learning, noting that he was the first person in his immediate family to pursue education beyond high school and has embraced education as a way to continually improve himself, his leadership, and his service to the community.

Former Burbank Police Chief and Burbank Noon Rotary member Scott LaChasse shared the story of Rex Andrews, Burbank's fourth Chief of Police. Andrews brought a distinguished background in law enforcement leadership, military service, and police reform to Burbank in 1953. Throughout his career, he championed the values of education, integrity, honesty, hard work, continuous improvement, and service excellence. The scholarship bearing his name continues his legacy of investing in the professional development of Burbank police officers.

In accepting the award, Detective Lee thanked the Burbank Noon Rotary Club, the Burbank Police Department leadership, and his family, especially his wife Sarah, for supporting the demands of both law enforcement and higher education. He reflected on the importance of continuing education in modern policing, noting that officers must continuously learn and adapt to an ever-changing society.