Bakersfield West Rotary continues its good work through it's stellar foundation with its fall grant cycle. You have given out over $1,200,000 to support youth causes in Kern County. This cycle represented a whopping $40,000 worth of grants to 11 worthy recipients. 

 

Foundation President Kevin Burton was running the show. He asked for support from his foundation board, Kelly Newby and Kevin Oliver were in attendance. I guess the other guys were off having better lunch somewhere else. Kevin assured all the foundation grant winners that the "checks in the mail" and that Kevin is "good for it." So, he instead gave them envelopes with empty promises and IOUs... Luckily, Scott Barnett, foundation Treasurer, knowns how to write a check or two, though he prefers to deposit them.

 

Ok without further ado here are the winners and what they are doing:

 

Adventist Health - As part of their blue zones initiative they are developing hydroponic farming with local high schools including West's own West High.

 

Bakersfield Angels - Who just celebrated 5 years and have helped over 2000 foster youth, that's 1 in 3 of that community served. Their grant money is going toward their back-to-school event "Every Sole Matters" giving shoes for school. And shout out to westies, apparently Allison thinks the scoundrels of your clubs are the perfect types to be angels to support their foster youth if you have time and space in your heart for a foster kid.

 

Police Activities League - 31 years of safe and productive after school programs, your grant has gone toward their facilities uplift. Their next steps, a new culinary program!

 

CAPK - As West learned a week ago, the hardest hit areas are the desert communities. This grant from West will help fund desert community family resource centers.

 

Casa Esperanza - If you don't know what Casa Esperanza is, count yourself lucky. These are transitional housing units for 2 year stays. Now they are adding on duplexes for additional years and classes for the kids while mom is learning life skills to get back on her feet.

 

Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic - This grant is going to assist with the Christmas family program which helps provide gifts for kids. Over the five-ish years working with West Rotary over 607 kids have been helped through the program.

 

Impact Golf Foundation - Kids of all stripes should get the chance to play the most frustrating game on earth. This grant is going to help bring LPGA and PGA all-stars to non-country club kids to teach them about the PURE AGONY and pleasure that is golf, wonder if they teach them the good curse words too? Daron also mentioned tournaments for the kids too.

 

Kern County Cross Country All Stars - Coach Ryan came out to thank us for the grant that will help take the team to the next level. They are looking to winning some national titles for Kern County.

 

League of Dreams - Bakersfield's adaptive sports organization has been partnering with West Rotary for a while now. This grant is going to fund their new mascot Dreamer the Golden Retriever! 

 

Stockdale HS Interact - Stockdale HS interact used to belong to West, then it disappeared. But now it's back thanks in large part to Jordan Li, Dawson's superstar daughter. These funds are to help get the club off the ground and started with projects of their own for success.

 

Victory Family Services - Foster family agency that recruits, trains, and places families together. The grant from West Rotary will fund their Christmas and Thanksgiving gift giving. Foster agencies have been hit especially hard from both inflation and insurance, so the grant from West means extra this year.