A WALK TO DEFEAT ALS

It was Bring a Guest to Rotary Day – thanks to those of who did just that!!!  We are still looking for 2 homes (3 months a piece) to house our Exchange Student – Carol has stepped up for the first 3 months…  The Ribbon Cutting for our local radio station – 97.3 FM was held on Saturday, March 29^th; come to find out we have celebrities in our midst!!!  Judy Salamacha, Mike Pond, Amy Christey, Steve Knuckles and Eric Endersby are all “mic’d up” and doing radio spots!!  Tune in – I’m sure they’re great!!!  On a somber note, Honorary Rotarian Bill Yates passed away; his services are being held on Friday, April 25^th from 1-4pm at the Veteran’s Hall.  Many of our members shared heartfelt stories about Bill – it did my heart good!!!

We were treated to a special presentation by Julie Himot, the Regional Director of Signature Events of the ALS Association, Golden West Chapter.  ALS was brought to the forefront when baseball legend, Lou Gehrig contracted the disease.  ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative muscular disease that affects 1 in 800 men and 1 in 1000 women over the age of 40 – it doesn’t discriminate.  The ALS Association, with the help of its many volunteers is leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through global research and nationwide advocacy while also empowering people with ALS and their families to live fuller lives by providing them with compassionate care and support.  Their ultimate vision?  To create a world without ALS!!!  And they vow to keep going until they find a cure…  their focus is providing those with ALS and their families Collaborative Care which in turn allows for the best quality of life possible.  In order for their success, they turn to community for help in fundraising efforts.  They are holding a Walk to Defeat ALS April 12^th – and there are many ways to make a difference… you can join the team, walk and solicit donations or you can donate to a team member…  I am proud to say that our Club, in honor of Dan Reddell, was a big part of Dan’s Crusaders!!!  At press, the team has raised $6,716…  Team members included Rotarian Debra Garcia, Carol Furtado, Mike Pond, Doug Riddell, Dale Reddell, Dan Reddell, and yours truly…  Those donating included  all team members as well as Andrea Klipfel, John Weiss, Elsie & Ken Casida, Gregg Kaufman, Matt Franklin, John Headding, Jude Long, Chuck Clarke and the Club itself.   I know that many of you were unable to attend but were there in spirit and for that, I know Dan is grateful!!!