Phil Toohey, Reporter

PROGRAM: Are You the One? The Boys and Girls Club of St. Helena and Calistoga

May 15, Tuesday Frank Sottile brought 15 of his youth and some parents to join us for a welcome, a Rotary lunch and an update on the Boys and Girls Club, as the new caterers were having a cardiac arrest from the overload. (I guess no one told them the lunch count doubled.)

Before I launch into the particulars I would like to beg a private moment to say how happy I am to be a Rotarian. When I hear the stories of children who through no fault of their own are left destitute for whatever reason, I want to help. Every time I want to help. That’s just the kind of guy I am. I want to save the world one child at a time. Last night I went to bed thinking of these kids - by the way 1,862 kids last year in St. Helena and Calistoga used the Boys and Girls Club - I felt good because as difficult as some of their stories were, we as St. Helena Rotarians have given almost 2 million of our club dollars over the past 23 years to keep the boys and Girls Club running and help build their building.

The Boys and Girls Club started in 1989. It was first started in the Catholic School then moved to the gym then to portables on the Elementary School Property then into their own building. They serve 200 kids a month, 296 in March. They run a one million budget one third is private donation, the rest from the state and county. The population is 57% Latino and 41% Caucasian. There are two, actually 3 locations to serve you, St. Helena, Calistoga and the Calistoga teen center. The Club works with the county Sheriff’s department for at risk kids and their homework club in St. Helena raised test scores an average of 10 points in Math and 12 points in English.

This was awards day. The Boys and Girls Club give out four awards that mirror Rotary’s four way test. Clarissa Hernandez got the Honesty award. Gabriel Roche got the Trustworthy award. Samara (Sam) got the Goodwill Ambassador award and Christian Vazquez got the Respectfulness award.

Are you the one? Who will love and support the kids in their time of need? The one who will support the teachers, coaches and mentors when these kids are broken? The one who will aide and support those dealing with “at risk kids”? The answer is yes to all. You are St. Helena Rotarians from the little club that could, the little club that can, the little club that does.

A NIGHT AT THE ST. HELENA SALOON:

Wow!!! We really have to do this again sometime was the only thing that collectively the group came up with as the question was asked” What do you think?”  What a great success.  Peter Scott and an entire crew of people pulled off something that some said could not or should not be done.  In the wake of last year’s fund raiser, Peter Scott turned a sow’s ear into a silk purse.  A night at the St. Helena Saloon turned Native Sons in to a dance hall and gambling casino.  There was a poker tournament won by our own Chuck Meibeyer who won himself a trip to Las Vegas.  Fun was had by all and when asked by our president for anyone to stand who helped out, the whole place stood up.  There were about 200 in attendance. The event took in about $40K gross dollars.  Dave Brotemarkle, who by the way is a descendent of John Adams (yep Constitution John Adams, a little known fact), has yet to determine the net.  All bills have not been turned in yet.  Congrats to all.  Serious fun last Saturday night.

FINEMASTERS: the kids of St. Helena Boys and Girls Club.

BELL RINGERS:

• Alan Galbraith has a new granddaughter.
• Chuck Meibeyer gave a donation to Peter Scott’s Paul Harris
• President Kelly Crane gave a $100 dollar donation to Peter Scott’s Paul Harris for job well done

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Calistoga Pig and Put fund raiser is coming up
• Norm Manser Rummage Sale Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19.
• June 14-17 is the District Conference
• Joice Beatty wants us all to know that you can save our trees by donating to:

Save The Elm Tree Tunnel Foundation
PO Box 454
St. Helena 94574