Page 49 - Greet HWY 68 Loop Magazine September 2025

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE ROTARY ROUNDUP

Giving Back Through The grants through their private Congratulations Brinet and Bob
After 12 years of making

Community Foundation foundation, they tired of the many to Brinet Greenlee,
fiduciary responsibilities and legal
requirements. Mike spoke to the
For Monterey County Community Foundation for Monterey Rotary District
County (CFMC) at the suggestion of
long-time friend (and former CFMC
board member) Jim Gattis. The family #5260’s Newest
Mike Haynes and The Haynes Charitable Foundation decided to easily transition their
foundation into the Haynes Charitable Governor
BY AMANDA HOLDER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION Foundation Fund, a donor advised
FOR MONTEREY COUNTY fund of the CFMC in 2022, to simplify
their giving.
Donor advised funds at the CFMC BRINET GREW UP AS an “Air Force Brat,” spending her
can be created with a gift of $5,000 or childhood traveling across the United States and England. Her
more. Donors receive an immediate tax family eventually settled in Salinas, California, after her father
deduction and recommend grants from retired from the Air Force at Fort Ord when she was in eighth
their fund with the support of the CFMC grade. Since then, Brinet has called the Salinas area home.
Philanthropic Services team. Donors A proud graduate of North Salinas High School and
can contribute cash, stock or other Hartnell College, Brinet went on to earn her Bachelor of
assets, add to their fund over time, add Arts and Master of Arts degrees, along with teaching and
family as advisors and include their administration credentials, from San José State University.
fund in a legacy gift through their She dedicated over 30 years to the field of education, serving
estate. A donor advised fund is simpler, as both an elementary school teacher and administrator
more flexible and less costly than a before retiring. Today, she channels her passion for service
private or family foundation. into Rotary.
“It just made sense. It was great Brinet joined Rotary in 2014 as a member of the Santa
to take the management off our plate Lucia Rotary Club. On February 23, 2019, she became the
and focus on giving. It’s been seamless. charter president of the Rotary Club of Salinas Valley. During
Removing the burden and knowing it’s her presidency, she was instrumental in launching an Interact
done right gives me peace of mind,” Club at Rancho San Juan High School—one of her proudest
shares Mike. achievements—which continues to thrive and grow. She is
Mike’s giving philosophy currently a member of the Salinas Valley Passport Rotary Club.
continues to focus on supporting Brinet’s dedication to service was shaped by her parents,
local organizations with “boots on the who modeled selfless community involvement and instilled
ground.” He and his family like to see in her the value of “Service Above Self.” Within Rotary, Brinet
the measurable impact, such as securing has held nearly every club-level leadership role and has
children’s medical equipment through been honored as “Rotarian of the Year” multiple times. At the
Natividad Medical Foundation, or district level, she has served as Assistant Governor, a member
Mike Haynes, like his parents before supported their business, he established getting produce into people’s hands by of the District Board of Directors, District Interact Chair, and
him, was born and raised in Salinas. the Haynes Charitable Foundation. supporting the WIC Farmer’s Market is an active member of both the Paul Harris Society and Polio
His father, Stanley, bought a flooring The foundation focused on through Everyone’s Harvest. Plus Society.
store in the late 1960s. Mike started supporting local causes, especially youth “Giving back to the community that A defining Rotary experience for Brinet was her trip to
working there during the summers in under 12. In 2010, Mike, along with his supported us just feels good. Now we Tanzania with the Santa Lucia club, where she participated in
high school and the family business brother Mark Haynes, sister Michele can focus on giving and know it’s done a global grant project with Save the Rain. That journey affirmed
became his lifelong career after Herforth and daughter Shara Yoshamura, right,” says Mike. her belief that Rotary is a lifelong passion and commitment. Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc
graduating from Salinas High in 1980. assumed stewardship of the foundation. Mike, who works with CFMC Brinet and her husband Bob, also a retired school 51 Katherine Avenue | Salinas, CA 93901
(Fun fact: As a senior, he was cast in a After a close call with a serious Director of Donor Services Briant Thayer administrator, are proud parents to three adult children and www.brenteastman.com
small part in the locally filmed East of illness in 2015, Mike sold the family to direct his giving, remains committed eight grandchildren. (831) 751-0700 | License #: 0E72648
Eden movie remake starring business and retired later that year. to honoring his father’s legacy. “I want to After more than three decades in
Jayne Seymour). Though he and his wife, Gina, together continue the legacy of my father,” Mike education, Brinet believes continuing a life SPECIALIZING IN
Mike’s father came from humble with their dog Cammi, are on the road said. “It just feels good.” of service is simply a natural extension
beginnings and saw local needs for more than half the year traveling of who she is. She is honored to serve as Group Health Insurance • Medicare Products
firsthand. In 1999, inspired by a desire in their RV, their commitment to local Let’s celebrate the great things happening in our District Governor for Rotary District 5230 Life Insurance • Dental & Vision Plans
community! Email Laurie, laurie.martin@n2co.com to
to give back to the community that philanthropy remains strong. share your good news! in 2025–2026.

48 September 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 49