A celebration of giving
Rotary Club members receive Paul Harris Fellows
The banquet room at El Nuevo Mexicali restaurant on Prospect was filled to capacity Tuesday night as community members gathered as the Porterville Noon Rotary Club recognized outstanding community organizations and presented this year’s Paul Harris Fellows.
Paul Harris Fellows are awarded by Rotary to individuals who have given $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation or have had $1,000 given on their behalf.
The Rotary Foundation funds service projects domestically and globally that align with their six charitable causes: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, supporting education, saving mothers and children and promoting local economies.
During his welcome comments, Rotary District 5230 Governor Art Gaffrey explained the impact a gift of $1,000 to the foundation can make to those in need.
“We can purchases pillows, mattresses and blankets for 100 homeless children in an orphanage in Bangladesh. That $1,000 can buy carpentry tools for a vocational training workshop for 300 youth without hearing in Gambia,” said Gaffrey. “We can provide artificial limbs for 26 disabled persons in Calcutta, India. It can purchase a cow for a widow in Uganda where civil shattered the economy and children have died because of lack of protein and calcium in their diets.”
The first Harris Fellow presenter of the evening was Steve Scarborough, who presented his daughters Amanda Scarborough and Sherri Barber with the awards.
Terry Irish presented Mayor Milt Stowe with his second Paul Harris Fellows. Bill Fusco accepted the award on Stowe’s behalf, who is still in Los Angeles recovering from recent heart transplant surgery.
Irish then presented a surprised Fusco with a Paul Harris award of his own for his support of youth sports, the assistance he has provided to Stowe and others in times of need, and numerous community activities.
Irish’s last Harris award presentation was to Patty Alba for her contributions to the success of Rotary’s Camp Royal program as well as many other efforts as an employee of Porterville Unified School District.
Current Rotary President Dennis Schneider presented a Paul Harris award to past chapter president Frank Berkel, and past Rotary District Governor Rod Belton presented Fred Knutson with a Harris award for his work with the Sierra Vocal Arts Ensemble.
“The presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship is one of the highest honors a Rotary Club can bestow upon an individual,” said Belton. “These people here tonight are very well deserving of that honor.”
After the presentation of the fellowships, Rotarians Jake Villard and Dr. Robert Gillett presented certificates of recognition to five organizations around Porterville for their contributions to the community.
“One of the best things about Porterville is the community and how they give and give and give. It’s absolutely incredible,” said Gillett. “As Rotary we do our part, but you also have a lot of individuals who put in a lot of time with their specific challenges and mission statements of their own.”
Representatives from Helping Hands, CASA, Central California Family Crisis Center, PACC, and Habitat for Humanity were all given a few minutes to talk about the services they provide to the community and share their thoughts on the importance of giving back as they accepted their certificates.
“I’m a recent transplant to Porterville, and I just can’t say enough about this community,” said Toni Dumont of Family Crisis Center. “People ask me, ‘Why Porterville?’ I tell them, ‘Because Porterville is one of the greatest communities I’ve ever been in.’ I feel honored to be here.”
FCC board member Mickey Manning thanked Rotary for their recent help in remodeling the kitchen at their Porterville shelter.
During her comments on behalf of Porterville Area Coordinating Council, recently-retired director Elva Beltran expressed an interest in more collaboration among community agencies that help the homeless.
She also took a moment to thank Rotary for the recognition and their efforts to make Porterville a better place to live.
“On behalf of the churches and local businesses that support us I thank you, because I know the difference we are making — not just in Porterville, but in 12 communities around southeastern Tulare County,” said Beltran. “Rotary, you guys are awesome.”
After all the presentations had concluded, an emotional Belton returned to the podium to give a final commendation to all in attendance.
“Rotary is a powerhouse in this community. You all should be very proud of what you’ve accomplished tonight,” said Belton. “Toot your horns loudly and give yourselves a big hand.”