Montebello without Borders

In conjunction with Rotary International's 99th annual convention, this year held in Los Angeles, the Montebello Rotary Club spearheaded an international hospitality night June 16 at Montebello's historical Sanchez Adobe.

Aided by the Pico Rivera and East Los Angeles clubs, members welcomed over 75 fellow Rotarians to Montebello representing more than 10 countries, including Nigeria, Canada, England, Great Britain [sic], Brazil, Australia, the Philippines, Mexico, Bulgaria and the United States. ...

Those visiting Montebello's adobe not only dined on the traditional foods of Mexico but were treated to an American favorite, ice cream, for dessert.  Following dinner, the culture of Mexico came alive with the expert footwork of Folklorico dancers dressed in an array of colorful costumes. ...

"We had a wonderful time this evening," said a visitor from England.  "This is such a beautiful setting."

"We are so happy to have been able to join you," said a visitor from Nigeria.  "We enjoyed getting t know each other better this evening."

Upon departure, each guest received a gift bag with a few souvenirs of their adobe visit including a personal photo taken during the evening. ...

Several Montebello Rotarians attended this year's convention.  Many of the nearly 20,000 members brought children's books from nearly 140 countries in an international book drive co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times' Reading by 9 program.

The 242,624 books collected set the Guinness world record for number of books donated during a seven day period.  The books will be given to area schools in Southern California and Southern Nevada for students in grades K through 3.

The convention was also the launch of an organization-wide drive to raise $100 million over the next three years to match a $100 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for polio eradication, Rotary's top priority for the past 20 years. ...

Excerpted from "Montebello Hosts Rotary International Visitors", by Anne Donofro-Holter, Spotlight on Montebello, July - August, 2008.