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West Rotary hands out checks to local organizations
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Anonymous user Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The Bakersfield West Rotary Club hosted six great organizations at its June 7 luncheon and handed out more than $45,000 in checks to help benefit the children of Kern County.

These contributions were made available through the Bakersfield West Rotary Foundation because the club’s annual Cioppino Feed on March 25 proved to be the most successful event in its 14-year history.

Patty Young represented the Assistance League of Bakersfield at the June 7 luncheon. Contributions to her organization will be used to buy several hundred new pairs of shoes for disadvantaged youth in the community.

The Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation has a new neonatal intensive care unit. Jan Glinn and Janelle Capra were on hand to receive the hospital’s check.

Zane Smith, the executive director of the Boys & Girls Club, spoke to the West Rotary about how hard his organization is working to open the doors of a new facility in Lamont. Smith thanked the West Rotarians for their financial contribution to this project, and also thanked them for helping with demolition and painting at the project site.

Child Spree 2006 is a program that is hosted by Mervyn’s department store prior to schools re-opening in late summer. Its purpose is to provide back-to-school clothing for disadvantaged youth in the community. Jason Cohen, community service director of the West Rotary and current president of the Active 20-30 Club, accepted a check that will buy clothing for 30 children this August.

M.A.R.E. (Mastering Abilities Riding Equines) executive director Shelley Bayne was also on hand to receive a donation that will help fund their Summer Teen Equestrian Enrichment Program, which is in collaboration with the Police Activities League.

The last donation will be used for college scholarships through the Rotary’s New Generations of Service program. Bakersfield West Rotary president Brad Henderson accepted the final check on behalf of this endeavor.

None of the above contributions would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of Bakersfield West Rotarians and their spouses on a cold, rainy Saturday in March. More than 500 people gathered at Garces High’s Leddy Hall to experience the best cioppino seafood spread in its 14-year history, prepared by West Rotarians and Bakersfield College chef Pat Coyle. A bucket of flavorful clams was the first course, followed by a delicious crisp salad, sourdough bread and then the tangy cioppino mixture, which included fresh fish, shrimp, crabs and mussels.

For dessert the crowd enjoyed spumoni ice cream and piping hot, fresh coffee. KGET-TV Channel 17’s Jim Scott, the master of ceremonies, witnessed a festive atmosphere throughout the evening. The patrons were not only delighted with all of the food mentioned above, but also more than 50 great silent auction items and 10 fabulous oral auction items. The combination of great community support through sponsorship of the event and the money raised through the auctions netted the West Rotary more than $50,000.

Barry Rosenfeld is the president of the Bakersfield West Rotary Foundation.

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