Bill Lever announced that all Bakersfield Rotary Clubs will be participating in the Veterans Day parade this Saturday, November 11. If interested in participating in the Veteran’s Day Parade, float #70 and will be located on the southwest corner of 22nd & N Street. The parade starts at 10:00 so it would be a good idea to get there around 9:15. Also, volunteers are needed to help serve breakfast and lunch. Please contact Bill Levers if you have questions at 562-397-0462.
Ashley Sodergren reminded everyone about the Make-A-Wish Friends and Wishes event taking place on November 16, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz of Bakersfield. It’s open to the public and they’re looking to pack the house with community leaders. She would love to see some friendly faces from Rotary. If you have any questions, contact Ashley at 661.332.4287.
Clinton Trimmer reminded everyone about the red kettle campaign launch taking place on Wednesday, November 15 at 12:30pm at Saltys. Please join at lunch to support the campaign.
New Member Patrick Beck
President Joe tries to crush new member and Hyundai salesman, Patrick Beck's hand to no avail.
We welcomed a new member, Patrick Beck with Bakersfield and Visalia Hyundai. Patrick will fit in perfectly with the club and has no problem sharing the outstanding statistics of the Hyundai brand compared to others that shall not be mentioned.
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Dess Perkins: Human Trafficking Survivor
Dess Perkins started from humble beginnings in the streets of Hawthorne CA, where she attended 59th Street Elementary, then relocated to San Francisco, only to end up residing and raising her family in Bakersfield CA. She is the proud mother of five children and currently eight grandchildren.
Dess shared her story with the club and her passion for making change and providing a voice for the voiceless. She has been instrumental in the passing of SB14. This bill will include sex trafficking of a minor in the lists of crimes that are defined as serious under California law, making the crime a strike under the Three Strikes law. It will take effect in January 2024 however there is more work that needs to be done to protect our citizens from predators who traffic, manipulate, and groom those to put their bodies and lives at risk. SB14 only applies to those ages 0-17, so if someone is 18 or older, they are not protected.
Although life threw many obstacles in Dess’s way, she persevered through determination and a sheer will not to quit. She went on to work for a prominent group home in Bakersfield and then landed a job with the County of Kern for almost eleven years until she decided to give back and become a teacher. She currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Child Development, a Master’s in Business and a Master’s in Educational Counseling with a PPS Credential, and currently working on a Master’s in Special Education.
To learn more about Dess’s story and how you can join her in implementing change for the voiceless please visit her website. If people want to learn more or show support, check out her non-profit "emPOWERment.
Joe Gregory-- please come back!
It's hard to believe someone could be so positive and upbeat after going through so much strife.
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