Community & Clubs:

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Rotary District 5320 have teamed up to raise funds at Saturday night’s game with the Oakland Athletics to raise funds for Rotary’s End Polio Now Campaign, according to District Gov. Bret Gerdes of Huntington Beach.

More than 1,100 Rotarians and family members have purchased tickets for Saturday’s game and will begin tailgating at 3:35 p.m. with one Rotarian, Sterling Gary of Anaheim Hills, being selected to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The following message will be given during the first pitch ceremony and on radio and TV broadcasts during the game: “Since their campaign began in 1985, Rotary’s worldwide network of 1.2 million members has contributed money, volunteer time and networking expertise to eradicating 99% of polio in the world. The generous grant of $355 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been a major boost to this final push to End Polio Now. Tonight’s event will help the clubs of District 5320 meet Rotary’s matching grant of $200 million.”

A second ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by 23-year-old Jon Wilhite of Manhattan Beach, who was the only survivor in the car collision that killed rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart and others. Wilhite played baseball from 2004-08 at Cal State Fullerton.

SUPPORTING THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

Sunday is the annual Chili Cook-off benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area, and the members of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions Club have been asked to man one of the beer stands and help in some other ways, according to past President Mike Scheafer.

Lions are volunteers from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the event being at the Hi-Time Wine Cellar parking lot on Ogle Street near Santa Ana Avenue, right behind 17th Street. Look for the folks in the bright yellow T-shirts and hats.

DISTINGUISHED PRESIDENT AWARD

Newport Harbor Exchange Club President Jerry Nininger presented the Distinguished President Award to immediate past President Nick Berger, who was the first to receive the award from the National Exchange since 1998, when then-President Dick Freeman was similarly honored. The club will also be displaying the Big E Award on its banner. The club last received the Big E Award in 2004, when John Kruse was president.

WORTH REPEATING

Thought for the Day as provided by Greg Kelley of the Newport-Mesa-Irvine Interfaith Council: “Lose yourself in generous service, and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day!”

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

How are you giving back to your community? Help your community and the world through a service club! For many, service club membership is an extension of our religious beliefs and congregation affiliation.

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

TODAY

7:30 a.m.: The 10-member Newport Harbor Kiwanis Club meets at Denny’s Restaurant, 290 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 20-member Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club.

6 p.m.: The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Dr. Darush Mohyi on “Infertility & the Octomom Scenario.” For more information, visit www.newportbalboa.org.

The 20-member Irvine New Generation Club is roaming this summer. Call (714) 697-8667 for the current meeting location. For more information, visit www.irvinenewgenrotary.org.

The 15-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets. Call (714) 914-1078 for this week’s meeting location.

THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club meets at the Holiday Inn, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit www.CostaMesaKiwanis.org.

The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 85-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club at UCI for a program by Gerdes on his vision for the year. For more information, visit www.ni-rotary.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Lt. Col Keith Fuller, “The Wounded Warrior Battalion West.”

TUESDAY

7:30 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns for a program by Cherall Weiss and a Literacy Learner, National Literacy Month and Literacy Programs in Newport Beach.

For more information, visit www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

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