Have you not
iced recently that each day has edged closer and closer to to some semblance of normalcy? Well, I have. Given the growing number of persons who have become COVID vaccinated, Bakersfield Folk have been seen out shopping, walkin’ and talkin’ a bit more and while, still abiding mask and distance protocols, appear to be embracing more of the lifestyle we welcome and recognize. What we did recognize at the morning’s Breakfast Rotary Club meeting was not seeing President David Spalinger at the crafted wooden podium. We had the pleasure of the charming Karen Bonanno who was selected to preside over our meeting. With proud President Dave in the audience, he watched as Karen practiced her skills she will be demonstrating when she takes over as president following Jeff Haynes.
iced recently that each day has edged closer and closer to to some semblance of normalcy? Well, I have. Given the growing number of persons who have become COVID vaccinated, Bakersfield Folk have been seen out shopping, walkin’ and talkin’ a bit more and while, still abiding mask and distance protocols, appear to be embracing more of the lifestyle we welcome and recognize. What we did recognize at the morning’s Breakfast Rotary Club meeting was not seeing President David Spalinger at the crafted wooden podium. We had the pleasure of the charming Karen Bonanno who was selected to preside over our meeting. With proud President Dave in the audience, he watched as Karen practiced her skills she will be demonstrating when she takes over as president following Jeff Haynes.
There is nothing like an “Athena Collup Invocation.” Her words of encouragement and levity always bring peace to our membership. Thank you, Athena, for your words of hope. Past President Ron “Buford” Nelms had honors in leading us in the America’s Flag Salute. Singing God Bless America is certainly a “go to” for our songstress Past President Denise Haynes. We all joined in whether Zooming in or in person to sing the fine patriotic favorite song.
Michele McClure had the duty to announce those Visiting Rotarians. Michele was just thrilled that Marlene Heise and Leslie VoVilla came to be with us. Welcome ladies!
Dear Stephanie Baker and Debonair Bill Black both of whom stepped up at the last minute, served as greeters and were able to entice attendees to try their luck at winning a grand prize. Thanks you two. Well, more on that later!
**The Program**
Pete Leveroni who
is known for presenting some of the finest speakers ever known to a Rotary Club, welcomed Michelle Avila who is the Director of Kern County Cancer Foundation. Michelle is well known in our community for doing a world of good. For those that have never met her today is your lucky day. Michelle who is a Delano product 
excelled in high school, earning her acceptance to University of Southern California. While attending school her father became afflicted with a form of cancer. During Michelle attending USC, she found that volunteering in Los Angeles cancer non-profits was time well spent and helped her find resources and support for her father’s initially successful battle with cancer. Little did she realize; it was also preparing her for something much bigger. As she diligently pursued her
education, her father’s cancer reappeared. He sadly passed away while was at USC.
is known for presenting some of the finest speakers ever known to a Rotary Club, welcomed Michelle Avila who is the Director of Kern County Cancer Foundation. Michelle is well known in our community for doing a world of good. For those that have never met her today is your lucky day. Michelle who is a Delano product excelled in high school, earning her acceptance to University of Southern California. While attending school her father became afflicted with a form of cancer. During Michelle attending USC, she found that volunteering in Los Angeles cancer non-profits was time well spent and helped her find resources and support for her father’s initially successful battle with cancer. Little did she realize; it was also preparing her for something much bigger. As she diligently pursued her education, her father’s cancer reappeared. He sadly passed away while was at USC.Never short on energy Michelle returned to Bakersfield. Through her own creative character, she formed what is now called the Kern County Cancer Foundation. Many of us are certainly familiar with not only the devastation of cancer on those afflicted, but also how it affects the loving family members. There are organizations which provide services to some degree or another for treatment of cancer; Michelle took notice that many cancer family services were not available to families because of costs, eligibility, or logistics. There was an absence of services for families in Kern County to first class cancer treatment, particularly for children. It is this lapse in services that Michelle found was severely compromising Kern. Many had unfavorable experiences recovering from treatments and even enabling family’s access to better modes of care.
In 2009 with a little help from her friends who saw the same gap in services as Michelle, (primarily Dr. Ravi Patel M.D. of CBCC and businesswoman Leslie Knox,) well over $2,000,000 was raised to help Michelle’s dream come true. Now to know Michelle is to also understand than her dream for such a program, was also the dream for many Kern families - particularly middle-income wage-earning families who did not qualify for state or federal assistance. Dream realized!
As the years have passed, the Kern County Cancer Foundation under Michelle’s direction has progressed from the original fund to non-profit 501 (c)3 status. She touts that eligible patients merely complete a relatively simple application to request funding from the foundation. The funding helps with fuel costs for travel to appointments, provides shuttles by the pediatric mobile unit for out-of-town travel to cancer physicians and clinics and funds to help bridge the gap between insurances reimbursement and cancer-related screening, diagnosis, and treatment, including if needed, help to pay for the insurance. The transportation is critically vital for youth that have been inflicted as there is no cancer treatment center in Kern for them. Many of the hospital and physicians are located in Los Angeles, Madera, and San Francisco.
Typically, families can be eligible for funding from the foundation up to a maximum total of $50,000. Michelle said typically families receive an average assistance of $5,000. Approximately eight applications are submitted each month to the Patient Eligibility Committee, a volunteer group of local sociation workers and financial assistance liaisons representing different medical organizations in our community. Michelle is justifiably proud the foundation has provided over $3,500,000 in assistance to Kern families since the foundation began.
Needless to say, Michelle is not only a creative thinker and leader, she puts her money where her mouth is…well maybe not her own money, but money donated into the Kern County Cancer Foundation. Of course, thanks to COVID, many of her traditional annual “fun-draisers” Michelle were cut. Thus, her budget has been hit hard. It is for this reason Michelle is sharing with BBRC and other community leaders’ about the foundation and its current needs. But most importantly, having a healthy budget ensures families faced with overwhelming obstacles a chance of a cancer-free future.
If you have already considered Michelle an Angel amongst us, you are correct. She is fully anticipating jump starting her “fun-draisers” and I suggest that as Rotarians, we may want to take notice and become involved. By visiting the foundation’s website, you can find the latest events that are already in the planning stages for later this year. We would like to thank Michelle for sharing the news about just some of the wonderful projects taking place with her foundation. Better yet, visit https://kerncountycancerfoundation.org to learn more!
**Announcements Announcements**
Birthday week for Dale Bender, so sing a song of celebration for the one and only Dale. Happy Birthday brother Rotarian! We have many Rotary anniversaries this week, so let’s recognize Jeff Haynes 27 years, Jason Williamson 18 years, and the youngin’ Dave Perkins 2 years. Thanks, Fellas, for your service to Rotary as we look forward for the years ahead.
We have no mercy whatsoever! President Dave apparently left Karen Bonanno copious notes about how to afflict the curse of The Beacon Clue! The easy-going Karen delicately practicing authority given to her by The Prez attempted to carry out her mission like a little bird in the nest attempting first flight. Directing her aim, Karen picked Connie Bensusen t
o answer the clue hoping to collect her first fine. Connie provided her answer, “The Bridge” (Kern Bridges Youth Homes). Well not a complete answer in my book, but good enough I suppose to prevent Connie from having to pay a fine. Well, Karen I bet your next attempt at collecting fines will be more successful…as you have a little more time to practice.
o answer the clue hoping to collect her first fine. Connie provided her answer, “The Bridge” (Kern Bridges Youth Homes). Well not a complete answer in my book, but good enough I suppose to prevent Connie from having to pay a fine. Well, Karen I bet your next attempt at collecting fines will be more successful…as you have a little more time to practice.Speaking of Kern Bridges Youth Homes, Past Presidents Mike O’Doherty and Denise Haynes seeking “artful” Breakfast Rotarians to join in a fun community service painting project at Kern Bridges on June 24th. This should be so much fun so come join us as Interactors from Golden Valley High School will be helping too. By the way a little birdy told me there could be a BBQ too!
Events all around are looking up these days and the # 1 event that we have all been waiting for is the reappearance of our fundraiser, Wine, Place and Show! Denise tells us the location and date are set for November 13th at Luigi’s. It is not to early to start thinking about sponsorships and gift basket ideas. Name the date and day of week WPS will be held in 2021 is our Beacon Clue. Let’s make this event BIG Rotarians and party like it’s 1999!
**Happy Spots**
There were a lot of Happy Breakfast Rotarians Wednesday morning, so let’s take a look at a few notables. Michele McClure was incredibly grateful for BBRC because she is so loved as the damsel in distress locked her keys in her car at last week’s Rotary meeting. It was all hands-on deck when various members came to her aid enabling her to eventually get back into her car and enjoy the rest of the day for this busy lady. $20 happy!
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Mike O’D expressed $20 of his gratitude to Stepha1980200
nie Baker and Mindi Wilmot to assist in the prep necessary to begin the first phase of the painting project. BBRC and Golden Valley Interact are on base to complete the mural at Kern Bridges Youth Homes office on June 24th.
nie Baker and Mindi Wilmot to assist in the prep necessary to begin the first phase of the painting project. BBRC and Golden Valley Interact are on base to complete the mural at Kern Bridges Youth Homes office on June 24th.
Connie Bensusen had weight of an entire building lifted off her back as she and Al sold their commercial building where they had their business known as 
Sandman Sleep Lab located on Truxtun Avenue. With Al retiring the both of them are looking forward to enjoying the days ahead. We too look forward to joining them through Rotary and celebration. Congratulations Connie who donates a happy $20.30, oh that is the address of the commercial property they sold!
Sandman Sleep Lab located on Truxtun Avenue. With Al retiring the both of them are looking forward to enjoying the days ahead. We too look forward to joining them through Rotary and celebration. Congratulations Connie who donates a happy $20.30, oh that is the address of the commercial property they sold!John Guerard has joined the “Legion of Fellow Rotarians” through the purchase of a travel trailer. My question is where are these BBRC legionaries going with their trailer5s? Maybe they will invite us…That is worth $28. I wonder if Athena Collup will be the next to purchase a travel trailer and join the ranks of The Legion? Her husband has recently retired. She said she now has a whole husband and ½ the salary…
Third time is a charm for Mindi Wilmot’s son Ethan who passed his driver’s test. Now he will be in style as he heads Back to School. His mom will be less $20.
Mike O’D is all over the place in this meeting, he is “Coconuts” over Past President Cheryl Scott. Yeah, he really got her a coconut in Hawaii that is sporting the BC Renegade logo. It will cost him $20, but it will cost Cheryl a lot more because she is headed to Hawaii next week, so when she returns, she is likely to pay an even larger fine. Yikes, better have a Tiki Punch, or two in Hawaii before you return from your vacation Cheryl.
Finally, we had a raffle drawing. I’ll give you one guess who won. No not me, Big Mike O’Doherty took the $43 prize.
In Rotary,
By Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer
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