Rotary dinner: Good time, good cause

As residents made their way into the Whitehall Community Center last Sunday, they were doing so not only to try a plethora of cuisines from around the world, they were more importantly giving back to a variety of nonprofit organizations.

Within minutes of opening the doors for the Whitehall Rotary’s third annual International Dinner, club member Ed Handl said they already had a great turnout, and he had high hopes 200 would attend the event.

Some of the dishes at the 2017 dinner included a Lithuanian Saltibarsciai made by Rotary Club member Arlene Weber, Asian orange chicken, pasties, Hawaiian chicken, Filipino fried rice, Peruvian Causa and sauerkraut. Weber said she recently found out she was 59 percent Lithuanian and decided to make the dish.

Those in attendance were able to purchase tokens for food at the door, with proceeds going to not just the rotary club, but also a variety of organizations.

Misty Hammerbacker and Teresa Oyama were both on hand serving food to raise money for 4 Paws Pet Rescue. Hammerbacker stressed the importance of these local fundraisers and how they bring the organization to the forefront of resident’s minds. Oyama said they are trying to get people to realize there are options if they see an animal who has been running around town or the highway.

Rotary Club member Dustin Lewis was serving Hungarian Goulash to raise money for the club, and said the event is something different, and a good time for those who attend.

The dinner is the club’s premier fundraiser and event next to the annual community calendar sales and fall dance.

The diner also featured musical entertainment with the Rex Davis Band, Joan Jones and Topper Giono, and Gary Craft and the Little Boulder Band.