COMMUNITY & CLUBS:Being thankful, giving to those in need

“So often we publicize the great works of community leaders, who have the liberty of making a difference, due to financial comfort,” comments Carlee Darr in a recent e-mail. “But what about the other citizens in the community that, although they may only make small contributions, still allow it to positively impact a person’s life?” she asks.

“My teenage daughter has a friend who we have known for over 12 years. Unfortunately, unlike many teenagers in our area, she has not had an easy life and recently has been left with a very heavy burden of essentially supporting herself at a very young age. She has braces and was unable to pay the $1,850 bill, the last remaining amount due, in order to complete her maintenance and get her braces off, which was due to happen at the end of November. There were no parents to assist her with this. She did not have insurance. She is too close to 18 to want to pursue state aid, in addition to not wanting to be a product of the system. I believe this to be commendable!”

So the community pulled together. Checks for $5, $10, $100 were mailed in to assist in covering her dental expense. People donated items that were sold in a garage sale and continued raising funds. When a $150 remaining balance was all that was left, the dentist stepped up and waived the final amount.

“I would love to see some of those ‘little’ people in the community get recognition,” Darr adds.

Those assisting the girl in need included Young Kim, the Law Offices of Christopher Purcell, Grecian Chiropractic, Agape Wellness Center, Century 21 Realtor Jorge Torres, Southside Towing owner Richard Rodrigues, Greenburg Chiropractic, EDI Corporation, GM Funding, Energy Promotions and 30 some others in the community.

Darr notes that everyone can make a difference. “People who only gave $5 or one small bag of clothes had no idea how ultimately we could positively impact this young woman’s life.”

“Please, show the community that together we all can make a difference!”

SNOWBALL EXPRESS UPDATEMore than 500 families with children of military personnel who died in service to the country in Iraq or Afghanistan have signed up for the Dec. 15 to 17 Snowball Express in Orange County, according to Rotarian Michael Kerr, the event founder. The children will be treated to a holiday experience with a free trip to Disneyland and the performance of “The Glory of Christmas.” Also, they will be housed in local hotels or with Rotary families and treated to a holiday party by Oakley with X-Games athletes and a trip to Irvine Spectrum.

The Rotary Clubs of Costa Mesa, Newport Irvine, Irvine Spectrum and around the U.S. are working to find families who lost a parent serving in the military since Sept. 11, 2001, and helping them not only with connecting with the Snowball Express, but supporting them throughout the year.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey will interview a participating family on her program before they head to Orange County for the Snowball Express and when they return home, according to Kerr.

“Our biggest need now is for cash contributions for gift cards that the children can use to buy Christmas gifts for their families,” notes Kerr. American Legion Post 281 recently donated $20,000 to the project along with contributions from individuals for $5 to $100. “Gifts, no matter what size, will make a difference to these children,” Kerr said.

For more information on how you can participate, go to www.snowballexpress.org.

Contributions can be made payable to Rotary Snowball Express and mailed to District 5320 Charitable Foundation, 2245 N. Glassell St., Orange, CA 92865-2701.

AAUW HOLIDAY EVENTThe Newport-Mesa-Irvine chapter of the American Assn. of University Women is hosting its annual Educational Foundation Fundraiser from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dec. 13, in a beautiful bay-view home for the first night of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Appetizers, dinner items, hot cider, coffee, wine, a chocolate fountain and other tasty treats will be featured among four Christmas trees, other decorations and lights everywhere, according to member Carol Strauss.

Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations must be made by Dec. 9. You can make reservations by calling (949) 845-3305 or via e-mail at heidisinay@yahoo.com. Directions will be given at that time.

TURKEY OF THE YEARIn next Saturday’s Community & Clubs column, we will honor Newport Mesa’s turkeys in our fifth annual turkey of the year awards program. The nominations are streaming in, and the judges will meet Thanksgiving Day to select the turkey of the year and eagle of the year. In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

WORTH REPEATINGFrom the Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council:

“Don’t say you don’t have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo Da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”

— H. JACKSON BROWN

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEKTUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 45-member Rotary Club of Newport Beach Sunrise meets at Five Crowns for a program by Harold Scharf, “The Canadian Dieppe Raid of 1942,” www.newport beachsunriserotary.org.

Noon: The 20-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Marriott Suites.

WEDNESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant at Redhill Avenue and Bristol Street.

Noon: The 27-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@ aol.com.