President David S
palinger announced to the membership of Breakfast Rotary Wednesday morning that he had only two more meetings to preside over. Wait a minute I was just getting used to this president. Is it too late for a second term? Most likely not, with President-Elect Jeff Haynes gnawing at the bit to get started in July. Well, all the membership and I can say it was an unforgettable year President Dave and you, your antics, and your woodshop will be missed. More good-byes to follow in the next couple weeks, so until that time let’s get this edition of The Beacon started.
palinger announced to the membership of Breakfast Rotary Wednesday morning that he had only two more meetings to preside over. Wait a minute I was just getting used to this president. Is it too late for a second term? Most likely not, with President-Elect Jeff Haynes gnawing at the bit to get started in July. Well, all the membership and I can say it was an unforgettable year President Dave and you, your antics, and your woodshop will be missed. More good-byes to follow in the next couple weeks, so until that time let’s get this edition of The Beacon started.
Donning a Hawaiian shirt and telling everyone in attendance that there is a Hawaiian theme to his demotion, I thought I saw what The Prez is doing!!! He was actually giving away the Beacon Clue just as the meeting started. The only thing I can hope for now is that our membership is asleep, or has short term memory loss. We will see as the meeting progresses.
Past President Queen Jackie Maxwell provided the invocation asking for us to be in prayer for generosity, unity, and blessings of others around the world as Rotarians.
It was a morning of “subs” as Leslie “Welcome Back” VoVilla pinched hit to do America’s Flag Salute and Carol “Songbird” Smith led us in a Rotary favorite - The Four Way Test song.
Heath Niemeyer representing California State University Bakersfield introduced both of his guests from the campus, Christine Bedell and Yuri Sakamaki.
The Program
Introducing our featured speaker was Mindy Wilmot. We were privileged to have Jennifer Jensen founder of Global Family Network joining us from Fallkirk, Scotland. Many of us may already be famili
ar with Global Family, but not of its origins. Jennifer was on hand to give us that interesting history and a lot more.
ar with Global Family, but not of its origins. Jennifer was on hand to give us that interesting history and a lot more.To think that Jennifer just woke up one morning and stepped into what Global Family is for known today; a vital resource for the care and protection of exploited children, particularly females, is anything but the case. Global Family was not Jennifer’s ultimate goal - missionary work with her husband Clark and young family was. With the courage of a lion possessing blind faith, her family left the security of a life in Bakersfield to dive into third world travels as missionaries. Assignments to Nepal placed her and her husband in the eye of some of the most desperate and deplorable conditions for children. Witnessing the physical and sexual exploitation of children in front of governments that turned their backs on the inhumane treatment of impoverished and forgotten children that were sold on the open market like groceries was too much for Jennifer to bear.
With an ounce of courage and experience, and a ton of faith, Jennifer’s family set out to figure out just how they could serve and protect these forgotten children. It is from the lemons she was dealt that she intended to make lemonade. The concept for Global Families began. Jennifer told us finding willing community partners such as churches and civic organizations to invest resources were daunting. She was in need of safe shelters to be available which she would use to house children as one of her first steps. Her task was to find permanent housing and qualified, caring adults to mentor children so that they would no longer be subjected to the evils they once faced. The repair work could reverse years of sadness, fear, and despair.
After experiencing success, along with challenges along the way, Jennifer and her family launched what is known as The Daughter Project, creating that non-profit in 2007. Leading up to 2010, The Daughter Project made head way for as many girls as could be made safe through the program. At this point in Jennifer’s presentation I could only think of the difference she had made in countless girls lives by protecting them from exploitation. And the difficulties she and her family faced in the way of local customs and unbelievable legal obstacles in a 3rd world country. I am sure those stories alone could comprise another engagement date for Jennifer at Breakfast Rotary to speak on.
She and her family, with the Daughter Project fully established in Nepal, found that 2010 would be a promising time for their return to Bakersfield to complete her daughter’s high school education at Stockdale High. Perhaps Jennifer’s daughter was not the only one getting an education. Bakersfield got one too, from Jennifer. A restless Jennifer did not waste any time reaching out to targeted child guidance entities in Bakersfield with the idea of establishing a Daughter Project Girls Home here just as she had overseas. Hence, Global Family Network was about to place a star here to welcome children who have been exploited right here in our own community.
I personally remember when Jennifer got Global Family Daughter Project Girls Home off the ground here. Before occupancy was finally granted for young girls between the ages of 12 and 17 to fill the 10 beds located at the confidential Bakersfield site, I got a tour of the facility. I can assure you after being a former detective specializing for several years in these exact same crimes that afflict these children, I found the facility Jennifer created would be a dream come true for some little children that by no fault of their own were born into the ravages of disgusting evil doers.
With very generous financial start up gifts, donations and grants to assure the Bakersfield center girls a one year stay at our local Global Families girls’ home, Jennifer was able to parlay these financial gifts to create in Scotland yet another Global Family center to house exploited children. Ah, now you know the answer why Jennifer was ZOOMing in with us from Scotland during the presentation.
Our own Cal State Bakersfield has direct ties to Global Family and supports the program in a number of ways. Students from Cal State are being trained and serving as interns at overseas Global Family centers working with children to give them an opportunity to enjoy a life free of harm and certain destruction. It is noteworthy that Jennifer’s husband Clark was inducted into the school’s Alumni Hall of Fame during the university’s 50th anniversary year. The Beacon Clue is, what American university is directly affiliated with Global Family Network?
Needless to say, there are heroes that walk among us. They are not athletes, they are not seen on the silver screen and perhaps not even heard on the radio. No Grammy, ESPY, or Oscar award winners. But if you look real close and listen you will find them as they operate softly in such a way that their endeavors do not bring attention to themselves, but bring salvation to others who are not tall enough to reach for help on their own. That is what they do at Global Family Network and Jennifer Jensen and her husband Clark are not only heroes, they are All-Stars because they have reached for the stars for those that could not on their own. Thank you, Jennifer Jensen, it has been an honor sharing your growing Global Family with our club.
Announcements and Recognitions
Past Pres
ident Cheryl Scott got a little ribbing from The Prez over her work ethic, or lack thereof. Now I remember Cheryl during her term as being pretty physical with tools. I mean by golly, her husband is an electrician so she has got to know something about manual labor. Oh wait, sh
e is a supervisor and well, we know what that means. President Dave displayed a picture of Cheryl at last week’s Mission community service landscape project posing for pictures…not working, no blisters. Hey that’s a supervisor for ya.
ident Cheryl Scott got a little ribbing from The Prez over her work ethic, or lack thereof. Now I remember Cheryl during her term as being pretty physical with tools. I mean by golly, her husband is an electrician so she has got to know something about manual labor. Oh wait, she is a supervisor and well, we know what that means. President Dave displayed a picture of Cheryl at last week’s Mission community service landscape project posing for pictures…not working, no blisters. Hey that’s a supervisor for ya.Cheryl did have… something…she could contribute, and that was that by unanimous decision the membership confirmed Pat Thompson as our 2023-2024 Bre
akfast Rotary President. Congrats Pat! See ya in 2 years.
akfast Rotary President. Congrats Pat! See ya in 2 years.
Celebrating Rotary Anniversaries were, Nick Simmons 2 years, Dr. Tom Burke 4 years, and Dan Johnson 16 years. Thank you each for your service and support of our local Rotary projects. You all make us look better!
I will miss the gleam in The Prez’s smirky grin just as he asks if anyone read The Beacon Clue. But remember I thought he blew it by not only giving away The Clue when he took the podium at the beginning of the meeting, but he was actually wearing The Clue!
With that said, The Prez calls on his first victim. I was thinking The Prez is not making any bucks today unless he calls on Mary Jo Pasek and Shaun Kelly. Well guess what, The Prez called on both of them and neither knew The Clue. Cha-Ching! Then he stalks to Donna Schwartz with the fangs of a rattler. I will have to say, D
onna is a new member and yes, she stammered through her response until she got a little help from the “peanut gallery” to provide the answer which was, What is the theme of the Demotion Party? Duh, Hawaiian! Give Donna a break…
onna is a new member and yes, she stammered through her response until she got a little help from the “peanut gallery” to provide the answer which was, What is the theme of the Demotion Party? Duh, Hawaiian! Give Donna a break…Sandra “On the Run” Parnell appeared at the meeting and fell into the open arms of our beloved President Dave. The Prez has not seen Sandra since that jaunt of hers with Cheryl Scott to Hawaii. Knowing full well her tiki flame had run out of oil, Sandra presented The Prez with a check as a gift of compensation for her deeds.
Maril
ee Reagor is thrilled another one of her grandchildren has acquired recognition for having graduated from college. A fine arts degree at Cal State Fullerton for her “chip off the ‘ol block granddaughter” will cost Marilee $10 bucks.
ee Reagor is thrilled another one of her grandchildren has acquired recognition for having graduated from college. A fine arts degree at Cal State Fullerton for her “chip off the ‘ol block granddaughter” will cost Marilee $10 bucks.Proud Mom Mindy Wilmot let us know that her fantastic son, Ethan is now a BHS graduate, with all sorts of honors. His parents gifted him a car for his amazing scholastic and musical accomplishments. Several members volunteered to be adopted by Mindy.
Past President Kay Pitts is not playing around, but she did find some time to travel to Los Angeles to watch The Lakers and The Clippers basketball teams play during each team’s playoff run. Hey Kay that is really cool, I’m just curious if you have been tempted to buy season tickets. If so we need to have a serious discussion!
Upcoming Events
President Dave reminds us that his last formal meeting as president is June 23rd. He told us that he would have a special program that you would not want to miss. Mark your calendars as this should be a doozy!
While you’re marking your calendars, June 26th is our next Pancake Breakfast for the local folk at Dignity Health Center at Baker and E. California Ave. See ya there at 7am! It is a great way to spread cheer to others through giving.
Mary Jo wanted to get her 2 cents in by inviting us to Bakersfield College July 2nd as The US Air Force Band will be making a special one-night appearance on campus at the Outdoor Theater (eastside of campus) at 7pm. You won’t want to miss this!
$46 dollar 50-50 drawing goes to Lucky Lady Teresa Ramos! It is lady’s day, as Carol Smith by virtue of the non-mask contest secures the Conundrum wine donated by The Prez.
In Rotary,
Frank Wooldridge
Beacon Writer
