Guest Rotary president

Arcadia Rotarians welcomed past Foster City, California Rotary Club president Paul Williams to the club last week where they heard an inspiring story of appreciation and giving to those less fortunate. . ——————————— by Anne Donofrio-Holter ——————————–

L-to-r: Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter, club president Imy Dulake, Guest Foster City Rotary Club president Paul Williams.

Williams’ “Road to Rotary” began when, as a teenager attending Willits High School in Northern California, he applied for a Rotary scholarship to help with future college expenses.  He was awarded the scholarship and ultimately went on to graduate from Cal Poly San Louis Obispo. “I never forgot the importance of that scholarship and how it helped me succeed,” said Williams.  “When I graduated and became established in my career, I wanted to thank Rotary and pay it forward.”

Living and working in the Bay Area, Williams was impressed with the fine work being done by the Foster City Rotary Club and joined. He went on to become a Paul Harris Fellow. Named after the founder of Rotary International “as a way to show appreciation for contributions to The Rotary Foundation’s charitable and educational program,” this identifies the member as an advocate of the Foundation’s goals of world peace and international understanding.

In 2006-07, Williams was elected president of the club. “As club president, we got involved with The Wheelchair Foundation, which distributes wheelchairs internationally to those who cannot afford them,” said Williams.  “I quickly saw the joy this program brought to the recipients in remote parts of the world who would otherwise never have had the opportunity to be mobile.”

Williams has made at least nine trips to Mexico to help in the distribution. In appreciation of his efforts, a community in Mazatlan named a soccer tournament in his honor. “We manage to locate the needy, even in remote villages in Honduras and El Salvador,” he said.

Williams credits his 84-year-old mother for instilling in him a passion for community service. “She joined the Peace Corps many years ago and worked extensively in Honduras,” said Williams. “When her term of service ended, she opened Casa Rosada in Santa Barbara, Honduras, a very poor area where people grow coffee beans and make woven bags as a source of income.”

According to Williams, Casa Rosada is a central location where locals can get medical care, clothes, food and transportation. It is funded by donations from sources including Rotary clubs, Interact clubs and Williams himself. “With no ability to pay for services, locals sometimes leave bags of soybeans or corn in appreciation,” he said.  “Casa Rosada has built eight schools, water projects and even provided uniforms for soccer teams. They also conduct clinics where some two hundred people come for care.”

“Paul Williams is a true Rotarian who influenced me to become the Rotarian that I am today,” said Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter. “What he and his fellow Rotarians do at the Foster City Rotary Club is an inspiration to all other Rotary clubs around the world.  We can all learn from them.”

“Paul has a true love of Rotary International and is indebted forever for that $1000 scholarship,” added club vice president Brad Miller. “This is a perfect example of the spirit of Rotary performed every day by caring people like Paul Williams and his mother.”

Williams works with Lincoln Property Company in the area of property management.