Hub Bub Issue #49 | June 14, 2022 (Jun 17, 2022)

Table Decoration

“You’re a grand old flag,” we sang, in honor of Flag Day. “The emblem of the land I love.”

Flags had been distributed to all the tables, courtesy of Rich Strayer, and as Fine Master Joyce Yasumura had a program full of information and, maybe, a little consternation. It was in 1777, not 1977 that the flag as we know it was officially adopted. Three stripes, red and white for the blood and snow in Valley Forge, as some of us learned in grade school. And one new star every time a state joins the Union. “A new constellation,” said the Second Continental Congress.

Joyce graciously laughed at the tangle of dates, and Jesse rewarded her by saying she could be the Fine Master next week too. Joyce also received a special plaque for her contributions to the club.

Jesse presented Darren Dunaway with a check for $3,000, the proceeds from the spaghetti dinner put on for Human Services Association, a 22-city agency headquartered next door in Bell Gardens. “Remember,” said Darren, “We provide services for Downey. Day care activities for Alzheimer patients, and relief for their care givers.”

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“PTA helps needs our help,” said President-Elect Mel Sanchez. “Roxy will be our guest speaker on 07/05 and we'd like to have items to give her. Please bring your donations to the next couple of meetings. Here is a list of was is in most need: Tomato Sauce, Tortillas, Toilet Paper, Bars of Soap, Small pasta bags (stars), Pinto Beans, Pasta in a can – Ravioli, Laundry Detergent. Thank

you for in advance for your support.”

Tom Hutchinson and Assistant District Governor Eileen Hupp

“Such warmth that I feel I this room,” said Eileen Hupp, our visiting Senior Assistant Governor, who drove up here from Palos Verdes. “The teasing and the comraderie.” Jesse then reminded us that the June 28 meeting would be in Furman Park, not at Rio Hondo. “So don’t come here, John Lacey,” Jesse teased.

Paul Harris honors were given to Ray Messler, Larry McGrew and Tom Hutchinson. A jeweled pin accompanies each new level of giving after the initial $1,000 gift. There are sapphires for the first five levels, and Tom got one of those. Larry McGrew is in the ruby category. Greg Welch had the honor of pinning on the little beauties. “This usually comes with a kiss,” Greg said. No kisses this time.

Jesse asked Eileen to help and she remind us what the Foundation, named in Paul Harris’s honor, does around the world. “This is something I just learned,” said Eileen. “Why does access to fresh drinking water in a third world country have a direct bearing on education for girls? Because previously it was the task of girls to spend tedious hours walking to a remote water source and then bringing back what they could carry for the whole family’s needs. That kept them away during school time when boys were being taught in their village.”

Saving the best for last, we inducted out newest member, Randy, with Eileen to represent the authority of District 5280. Randy was a member of the South Gate Club, and he looks forward to continuing to join in community projects. “Rotary is where you can have a good time and repay the community,” Randy said.

So many highlights to choose from. It seemed good to ask Joyce, Randy and Eileen to sign the book that we will donate to the Downey City Library Children’s collection in their honor.

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Our joint sponsorship with the 10-20 Club of the bowling tournament this week was a good opportunity to honor Downey Rotary history while reminding the Downey community of the importance of the 10 - 20 Club, an event organized by Ronnie Fernandez. So I sent the following feature story to the Downey Patriot, where it appeared in its June 17 issue, and also to the Editor of District 5280’s Monthly Newsletter. Enjoy.

Rotary Club of Downy is sponsoring a Bowling Tournament at Del Rio Lanes

to raise money for the 10-20 Club, whose mission is the early intervention of youth in that age range who are at risk of joining gangs.

The partnership between Downey Rotary and the 10-20 Club began back in 1995 when two men, stars in their own spheres, conjoined to help others. Former Rotary District 5280 Governor Bill Bowermaster, and Darrell Jackson, pitching ace for the Minneapolis Twins, met with the troubled youth, knelt and prayed with them, and gave them their home phone numbers so they could call them any time day or night, be it midnight or 2 a. m., whenever the need for help was great.

Bill Bowermaster, PDG DISTRICT 5280

Bowermaster, a former president of the Rotary Club of Downey, was a person

committed to his Catholic faith and service to others. He devoted a considerable part of his life to social and religious projects. Long an active leader in Rotary, International, he served as Chairman of "Give of Yourself Organ Donation" Program. Bill focused on at-risk youth, and released felons. He was intent on their reintegration into society. When Bill died in 2019, in in lieu of flowers, his family suggested a contribution to the 10-20 Club.

Jackson, the longtime president of the 10-20 Club and now an honorary Rotarian, was an intensely hot pitching star for the Minnesota Twins from 1978-82. Darrell was a graduate of high school in Watts, "Sports was my way out of the ghetto,” he has said. “Growing up to play baseball was my dream of living happily ever after.”

But Darrell’s life style led to crack highs, erratic behavior on the ball field,

and a fast tumble back to the streets of L. A. Darrell attributes his life’s turn aroundfrom narcotic addiction to Christianity. Now he says, “It’s not what I get out of life. It’s what my life can do for others.” Darrell personally manages the 10-20 Club.

Darrell Jackson Today

Since 1995, the 10-20 Club has helped to transform the lives of thousands of at-risk youth. It assists teens referred to them by the Downey Unified School District, the Norwalk Superior Court, Rio Hondo Probation Department and formerly the Los Padrinos Juvenile Court.

Services are offered to youth on probation, expulsions from local school districts, and self-referrals. In addition to sports and recreational activities, there are courses in anger management, and drug and alcohol addiction. Programs focus on mentoring and advising teens to pursue excellence in education, taking pride in their community,and living a healthy lifestyle.

The 10-20 Club is now part of Downey’s G.O.O.D. program, aided by collaboration with parents, the Downey Unified School District, the Downey Police Department, the Downey Family YMCA, faith groups and service clubs.

Among the many Downey Rotary connections with the 10-20 Club is Downey

Rotarian Phil Mautino, former Supervising Judge at Los Padrinos, who said, “The 10-20 Club provides great counseling for drugs, violence and family problems. We at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Court rely on this organization for help.”

The Bowling Tournament is being held at Del Rio Lanes, whose general manager Mike Cammarata is one of Rotary’s newest members. Money raised, through fees and sponsorships, will help the organization maintain and expand its services.

“By the way,” says Darrell, “I’m not a player, I’m a pitcher,”