Our presenter on July 14th was Sierra Donaven. Sierra told us the story of how she arrived in Grosse Pointe Farms and Became a Rotarian.
Sierra is continuing fulfillment of God’s purpose for her life, marked by a long history of public and community service. She sees Rotary as a way to collectively share our good beyond where we have been and where we are now.
Sierra’s father died when she was 4 years old and her mother suffered from alcoholism. She attended 7 Detroit elementary schools before a police officer took her and her siblings out of abandonment, hunger, and despair. She was placed at Childrens Village in Oxford, MI, a safe haven that she called home.
Being introduced to John Delorean at a young age, he was a father figure and had a tremendous impact on her life. She saw him, again, when she was an ATF agent, and still felt that same father-daughter relationship.
Sierra had her own legal battle, fighting an investigation and federal prosecution brought about by the abusive actions of a Federal agent. She was ultimately vindicated.
Sierra felt a need to live in Grosse Pointe and found the perfect house in the Farms. She hit the ground running, receiving a beautification award, serving on the beautification committee, and having a seat on the City Council.
Before joining Rotary, Sierra knew nothing about the organization and our Club but she knew plenty of GP Rotarians. She believes that each person was a marker/sign that God was directing her on a magical journey to Service Above Self. Once you believe, the signs are everywhere.