CLEARLAKE>> The 22nd annual Seafood Boil and Auction fundraiser from Clearlake’s Rotary Club Saturday raised funds for ongoing projects in the community such as the annual Christmas dinner, Keep Well Kids Club Wellness program and $20,000 in annual scholarships for KUSD seniors and Woodland Community College students, among other worthy causes.
“It’s such a good organization, they do all this because they care about the community,” was a sentiment which came up multiple times, a refrain from a number of those who gladly paid for their fundraising ticket to attend. Former Lake County Chamber of Commerce executive director Laura Sammel, also a member of Lakeport Rotary, urged the crowd onstage to participate in both the silent and live auctions.
The event. held at the Cornelison Event Center on the Konocti Education Center Campus, was well attended with attendees enjoying the company of friends and supporters. Soon, the sweet scent of boiled seafood permeated every table. They were able to enjoy fresh Dungeness Crab, large shrimp, tri-tip and Aidell’s Cajun Andouille as part of the delectable fare. The silent and live auctions were deemed successful by the Clearlake Rotarians who organized the event. They noted that funds from the event vary from year to year, but typically net anywhere from $33 to $35,000.
Former Clearlake council member David Claffey was one of many volunteers who worked registration at the front of the venue. A Clearlake Rotary Club member since before taking office, Claffey extolled the work of the organization including the efforts of past District Governor Jennifer Strong. “She is really amazing and really wanted to break down barriers,” said Claffey in reference to a topographical divide that existed in the past between the southern and other parts of Lake County.
Claffey went on to highlight the relief work which all chapters of the service club, including Lakeport’s and Kelseyville’s jointly participate in, including helping members and the community during previous emergencies such as the Mendocino Complex Fire and the more recent Sept. 8, 2024 Boyles Fire.
The Lake Area Rotary Club Association Emergency Relief Fund for example, set up donations for victims of the Boyles Fire in Clearlake which destroyed more than 30 homes last year.
Among some of their efforts in relief during the wildfire emergency in Southern California in January was the establishment of a Disaster Relief Grant for clubs to conduct service projects that directly supported the impacted areas and regional first responders and the creation of a resource directory for members. Yet emergency relief isn’t the club’s sole focus, proceeds from Saturday’s live auction also went to replace nets at the Haverty soccer field, and culinary students from Woodland College.
Rotary President Zabdy Neria, who also serves as President of the Konocti Unified School District, said both her tenures as club president and on the school board are off to a great start in the new year with her focus being doing the right thing for both, for example prioritizing the mental health of community members and students.
Invoking Maslow’s well-known hierarchy of needs, she cited LARCA’s effort through a collaboration of Rotary clubs to set up a 501(c)3 nonprofit to contribute financially to all individuals impacted by fire and to link them to much needed resources. During the Boyles Fire, the club contacted Senator Mike McGuire in order to assist impacted students and their families to make sure the school district saved up funds to meet students’ basic needs. Recent efforts by superintendent Becky Salato included Head Start funds to identify students in need at the beginning of yet another school year.
The live auction featured a golf package at Hidden Valley for up to four adults with tee times for golf in Hidden Valley Lake, a food tour of Lake County including a night off to stay at the Ripe Choice Farm Barn, and a party/family dinner for up to 10 people including award winning barbecue and catering from Lake County’s Favorite Barbecue, among other items up for bid. Sponsors included Action Sanitary, Blue Zones and Friends of KUSD, Community First Credit Union, Calpine, Fults Family Vineyards and Thompson Gas, among many others.
The Clearlake Rotary Club meets on the first and third Tuesday for lunch at the Highlands Bar and Grill located at 14732 Lakeshore Dr. (previously Howard’s Grotto) All visitors are welcome.
