MCCALL ROTARY CLUB: WE ARE FAMILY HERE SERVING FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE WORLD!

Fallyne Leonard - the youngest Rotarian in McCall

When I met with the leadership of the RC of McCall at Rupert's Restaurant in the historic downtown Hotel McCall on Aug. 31, I knew I was going to participate in a club that is family! 

And, I met the family, like Travis and Candace, parents of Fallynne.

(Travis' father-in-law is a past president of the McCall Rotary Club.  Travis joined to give back to the community with a special passion about scholarships for youth.)

AND THE "AUNTS" AND "UNCLES" WERE THERE, TOO

Here's what I mean: 

Jim and Jennifer Bates were there.

(Jim, a Southern gentleman, comes from Tennessee where is his father was a Rotarian.  Jim was a Rotaract member and joined because Rotary is "a potent organization".  He consented to serve as president for a second year this year.)

And Jack Hellbusch and Dorothy, Suzanne and Laura, and Mark Shelamar and Jodie.

 Dorothy and Jack Hellbusch 
(Jack has been a Rotarian for five years.  Former school superintendent Terry Donicht asked him to join.  His passions are service to the community and the dictionary project.)

Suzanne Rankin & Laura Shelamar

(Suzanne has been a Rotarian for 8.5 years.  She and her husband Bob Rainville are deeply involved in international work.  Laura is committed to Rotary and supports her husband, Mark.)

Jodie Moore and Mark Shelamar

(Dynamic Jodie Moore is past president and serves as secretary of the club.  She was invited to join by Dave Hansen.  Mark Shelamar is a member of the District's Rocky Mountain Leadership Institute and has served the club for five years.)

And laughing Jim Fronk.  (The picture is unfocused because he was laughing so hard!)

(Jim is a past president, has a son who belongs to Interact, has been a member for 26 years and is a merciless sergeant, having fined me when I visited the club several months ago.)

ANY GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS?  WELL, YES, I THINK I SPOTTED SOME.

Like Jerry and Jan Jutting...

Jerry Jutting has been a Rotarian for four years having moved from his long-term membership with Kiwanis.  He appreciates the global and local work of Rotary.  His wife Jan convinced me to order the couscous and egg plant, a great choice as the picture below shows.)

And Grandpas Eddie Droge and Dave Hansen

Eddie and Dave are two outstanding Rotarians who provide wisdom and stability to this club.

(Eddie has been a member for 40 years and Dave for 19.  Both are intensely committed to youth in their community and internationally.)

AND WE MUST NOT FORGET THE VISITORS FROM OUT OF TOWN, TERRY & DOTTIE JONES,  MARRIED JUST ONE YEAR

Terry Jones, assistant governor, with his wife, Dottie

(Terry has been a Rotarian for 31 years.  He's a great assistant governor and passionate about the Four-Way Test...and Dottie!)

MCCALL ROTARY MEETS IN A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND DOES BEAUTIFUL WORK

The club meets at Shore Lodge, where my wife and I spent our honeymoon 41 years ago.

 (The scene from the club dining area at Shore Lodge)

The club is filled with fun and laughter and good natured humor, like the "Bubba" shirt" that Jim Bates gave to Jim Trino when the club met on Sept. 1.

Jim Trino stands proudly in his "Bubba" shirt

A SAMPLING OF WHAT THIS CLUB DOES...

Yes, the people are impressive, but so is the work this good club does.  Jim Bates gave me a list of fundraisers and community service projects.  Here are a few of each:

FUNDRAISERS

McCall Rotary Scholarship Raffle (Donkey Draw)

Selling BEADS and chorizos at Winter Carnival

Siletn auction at installation banquet

A FEW OF THE COMMUNITY & INTERNATIONAL SERVICE PROJECTS

Academic Scholarships - $8,000 p/year

Book Scholarships - $8,000 p/year

Little Ski Hill - $3,000 toward transportation from schools to Little Ski Hill

Dictionaries to 3rd graders w. Rotary's 4-Way Test and student's name inside front cover

Christmas presents for local children/families in need

Humanitarian Day - $1,000 and volunteers to provide firewood to hear the homes of the elderly and single mothers during cold months

P.O.T.S - Positive Outdoor Teen Service - $500 in scholarships for at-risk youth

Rotary Park Clean Up - $3,000-$4,000 to the city for park maintenance

Backpack Program - $1,000 to provide food for children in neeed over the weekend

International Projects - Loja, Ecuador (school project), Guayaquil, Ecuador (water filter project), Puno, Peru (literarcy and agricultrual development pilot project) 

I'm proud of you McCall.  Keep up the good work as a family!  - Terry Gilbert, DG 2010-11