Catching up with Woodside/Portola Valley Rotary president Dan Ghiorso

We caught up with Dan Ghiorso soon after he took the helm as president of the Woodside and Portola Valley Rotary Club earlier this month.

Dan worked for the Woodside Fire Protection District for 28 years, the last eight as Chief. “l didn’t get really active in Rotary until I retired,” he said.

On September 8, the Club will hold its annual Taste of Woodside, a combination wine tasting and dinner, which marks its 20th anniversary. “It’s our Foundation’s only big fundraiser,” Dan said, pointing to the many local and international projects the club supports.

They include Looma organized by Menlo Park resident David Sowerine and the Nicaragua College Fund overseen by Haydi Danielson who ran Boething Treeland in Portola Valley until retiring. Here’s a full list of the wide-ranging Rotary projects.

“What we try to do is help other people realize their dreams,” Dan said.

“I don’t have a pet project. Everything is in support of other members’ projects, although I did bring over the Christmas toy drive from the fire service.”

Taste of Woodside takes place on Sunday, September 8, from 4:00 to 8:30 pm on the grounds of the Woodside Village Church (3154 Woodside Road). Find out what’s being poured and what’s being served.

Tickets to Taste of Woodside are available online.

Photo by Robb Most (c) 2024