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WEST ROTARY CONTRIBUTES $60,000

TO YOUTH PROGRAMS IN KERN COUNTY

By Barry Rosenfeld,

Contributing writer

     Bakersfield West Rotary has established new funding standards because of the phenomenal success of its 16^th annual Cioppino Feed and will be contributing $60,000 this spring, mostly to youth programs in Kern County.

     Recipients of grants will be the ABLE program, the Assistance League, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital’s Child Health Program, the Boys & Girls Club, Child Spree 2008, the Downs Syndrome Buddy Walk, the HIRE Committee, MARE Therapeutic Riding Center, the Ronald McDonald House, New Generations of Service Scholarship Fund, Optimal Hospice Kids Camp and Frank West School.

    Nearly 500 people attended the sold out Cioppino Feed on April 5 at the Garces High School’s Leddy Hall. They experienced a Cioppino seafood spread fit for kings and queens, prepared by Bakersfield College Chef Pat Coyle and ably assisted by a host of West Rotarians and their spouses. Those who attended enjoyed crisp salad, buckets of steamed clams, fresh sourdough bread, as well as shrimp and fresh in the best Cioppino sauce in the event’s history. The evening was topped off with rich, refreshing ice cream.

    Patrons also enjoyed a fabulous oral and silent auction. This year’s Cioppino Feed received tremendous support from the business community; sponsorship of the event was at an all time high.

     KBAK’s Jeff Lemucchi emceed the event and witnessed a festive atmosphere throughout the evening.  The smiles of the attendees following the event will only be overshadowed by the smiles of the young people benefiting from the grants.

Barry Rosenfeld is the president of the Bakersfield West Rotary Foundation and a member of the Californian’s Sounding Board.