Rotary Club of Walla Walla News Release July 31, 2018
The Walla Walla Noon Rotary club launched a pilot summer fundraiser at the 4th of July in the Park. The club utilized its past experience with the Rotary salmon bake events and established a food booth for park attendees. In addition to offering fresh alder wood smoked salmon fillet sandwiches, the club cooked locally-made artisan veggie burgers and served each with summer salads. Freshly-made cotton candy was sold for those wishing a sweet treat.
The Pioneer Park Garden Center served both as a preparation and cooking area for the twenty club volunteers. There was a canopy booth on the popular “circle” at the park that served up the meals. The picnic tables at the Garden Center patio provided a comfortable dining location for patrons.
The Rotarians coordinating the event were John Cress, Tom Osborn, Bill Erickson, Charlie Desalvo, and Bruce Johnson. The group began with 75 pounds of fresh salmon. Both the salmon and veggie sandwiches sold out by afternoon. Approximately 350 meals were served.
The project was an event to raise funds for yearly Rotary scholarships for students from eight area high schools and for community enhancement projects. Rotarian Tom Osborn mentioned that the club correspondingly raised public awareness of the service Rotary clubs provide and the work of Rotary’s global partner in emergency disaster relief, ShelterBox.
Rotarians and friends volunteering were bolstered by the many positive compliments from the customers. Rotarian John Cress said, “When you hear comments like: ‘Thank you for being here today—the sandwiches are great,’ and ‘Best tasting veggie burgers I’ve ever had,’ you are really encouraged. It was a fun day in the park with an enthusiastic crowd and rousing music. We have caring community members and their support of our fundraiser was greatly appreciated,” remarked John.
Walla Walla Noon Rotary Club meets at 11:45 a.m. Thursdays for lunch and community interest programs at The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center, 6 W. Rose St. For more details, contact Todd Brandenburg at todd@pocketinet.net or 509-593-4706 or online see ubne.ws/2qPsr6T or on Facebook ubne.ws/2q4sj6a
News release contact: Maryann Cole, 525-2849
