In today's society it has always been a time honored and traditional way for non profit organizations to generate donations to a worthy cause. Leading to the idea of “the RCC of Keon Spaghetti Dinner” created and instituted by a group of dedicated special needs adults and Rotary's guidance.
THE ROTARY COMMUNITY CORP OF KEON NINTH ANNUAL SPAGHETTI DINNER
April 12, 2019
Almost everyone has at one point in their life gotten to experience a great comfort food that is spaghetti and meatballs.
The origin of spaghetti and meatballs started with Italian immigrants coming to America in 1880 to 1920. Meat in the US being plentiful and cheaper then in Italy. Spaghetti already being an Italian culinary icon.
So what could immigrants, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and now I add, Special Needs Adults to the mix, all have in common.
Immigrants were declined employment, simply because of their ethnic upbringing, not their abilities (they were both different and feared). And yet they over came and contributed great things to society.
Special needs adults also share, that they are different and feared by the unknowing. In the case of the RCC of Keon, Cortlandt Rotary (specifically Charter President at the time, Sharon Irving) saw the need to give these adults with special needs the love, tools, and support they deserve.
So a Rotary Community Corp of Keon was created. First of its kind. It's location in the Keon Center work program at Peekskill. RCC's are separate groups of people who for various reason can not join the Rotary family, however are established to have its members commit to a sustainable community project on their own with Rotary support.
After RCC of Keon's inception, The Cortlandt Rotary watched in awe, as the RCC was able to outperform the general masses in their abilities to raise monies for causes they embraced, and they had great fun doing it. To many times, misinformed people, fear the unknown and say that Special Needs Adults “can't”. The members of RCC turned that around and said “watch me”.
Over the next seven years, the RCC sponsored car washes, bake sales, and the Spaghetti dinners to go above and beyond, in a great show of giving back. They have also helped out in community events that the Rotary was involved with.
In today's society it has always been a time honored and traditional way for non profit organizations to generate donations to a worthy cause. Leading to the idea of “the RCC of Keon Spaghetti Dinner” created and instituted by a group of dedicated special needs adults and Rotary's soft touches.
Below is listed just some of the charities they have given their efforts to, and raised much needed funds to help out:
- Hearts for Hero's providing therapeutic companion dogs for veterans with PTSD (the 2016 beneficiary)
- Rotary District 7230 Gift of Life Program in memory of Dora May Murphy
- Rotaplast International funding cleft palate surgeries. In memory of Frank Curry of Verplanck
- Nor-West Special Services
- St. Jude Hospital for Children
- Contributed to a Special Needs School in Namibia
What's unique and wonderful is, as volunteers, they manage to laugh, socialize, and truly enjoy being a part of something much bigger then they are. Which we all should take notice of and learn from.
For more information on the RCC of Keon, you can like us on their own Facebook page under @RCC of Keon https://www.facebook.com/RCCofKeon or contact Sharon Irving at [email protected].
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