Arcadia Rotarians Serve Others While Having Fun

by Anne Donofrio-Holter

In keeping with the theme of club president Bruce McCallum, "serving others while having fun," Arcadia Rotarians spent a recent Saturday evening at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House.

As part of the club's year long commitment to provide meals once a month, club members with grocery bags in hand, descended upon the house ready to cook.

Pictured above: Arcadia Rotarians Eric Barter, Gerard Tamperong, Don Milefchik and President Bruce McCallum.

For families coming into Pasadena seeking advanced medical treatment for their critically or terminally ill children, Ronald McDonald House provides "a community supported home away from home."  Located across from Huntington Memorial Hospital, the facility "provides families a place of warmth and comfort."

McCallum came up with the idea of serving the monthly meals following a presentation to the club by guest speaker Marchelle Sellers, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Pasadena house.

"It seemed like a perfect example of our club's theme this year," he said.  ''Serving others while having fun."

Although Big Macs and "Hamburglers" were not on the menu, there were plenty of happy meals waiting as families returned from a long day at the hospital where they visited and cared for their loved ones.

The Arcadia Rotarians, McCallam and his wife Joanne, Eric and Janice Barter, Gerard Tamparong, Don Milefchik, along with Montebello Rotarian Richard Reyes, served up quite a spread – chicken, corn on the cob, potato salad, pork 'n beans, French bread and dessert.

"All ten rooms at the house were occupied, each by a family with a desperate need being filled by the facility and its staff," said McCallum.  It was our pleasure to make at least one of their evenings a little brighter even if they could not completely take their minds off their loved ones."

"Even with weary smiles on their faces, there was little doubt that our hard work was greatly appreciated by the families," said Eric Barter.  "Each of us is looking forward to this month's meal tentatively scheduled for August 23."