HISTORY OF ROOSTERS
"They May Not Remember Our Names"
By Crow Editor Doug Davidson |
Do you remember 1974? People are waiting in lines for gasoline, Richard Nixon resigns as President of the United States, the average home is selling for $34,000 and the Chanteclair restaurant opens its doors. Over next three years, what would take place would change the lives of many.
The Chanteclair became the hub for the business people that worked around Martin Aviation and the Orange County Airport. Jerry Mendelson, the first President of Roosters, was a friend of Larry Cano, the first owner of the Chanteclair and the first Honorary Member of Roosters. Others who frequent the Chanteclair were Art Axelrod, Don Thomas, Tommy Thompson, Matt Schafnitz, Bob Mooney and Honorary Rooster Neil Durkee. They would become the first Roosters Board of Directors.
The year is 1977, the space shuttle makes its first flight and Star Wars is the largest grossing movie. From 1974 to 1977, the social and charity activities increased to such proportions that one of the attorney's suggested that they incorporate as a Mutual Benefit Corporation, similar to a college fraternity. This would limit liability and allow certain tax deductions, but what to call the organization? "How about using the English word for Chanteclair?" The name Roosters was adopted and on February 16, 1977, Roosters was incorporated. Today, 34-years later, we gather to remember those who gave us this day.
Their friendships developed into a group of men who would socialize and support The Braille Institute of Santa Ana. They purchased several vans for the institute and arrange for the children to visit Disneyland. The "hands-on" charity activity had gained notoriety and in 1980, the Daily Pilot News published a feature article on Roosters. The article is in the Roosters Membership Directory under the name, "A Brief History of Roosters."
"Roosters became the organization that successful men wanted to join and within a few years, the membership grew to 150. However, in 1987, there was trouble in the economy. The building industry was in peril. Lincoln Savings & Loan and the banking industry collapsed and Roosters membership was falling. By 1989, the FDIC had closed three out of every four banks in the United States, the Berlin Wall was dismantled, U.S. invaded Panama and Scott Zimmerman becomes President of Roosters. Scott was a Past President of the Santa Ana Active 20-30 Club. Active 20-30 was a group of young men where many had made life long friendships, but were past the age of 40 and could no longer remain as members. Scott invited the group to renew and gain new friendships by joining Roosters."
In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, Dances with Wolves was the Oscar winner and another Past President of 20-30 becomes President of Roosters. There was a new gun in town, the no-nonsense Harvey Dorland. Harvey insisted that all past members of 20-30 join Roosters. This was the beginning of the rebirth of Roosters. From 1990-1993, under the leadership of Presidents Dorland, Bob Bertels and Doug Davidson (20-30 Club), membership recruitment resulted in dynamic growth.
In 1993, Harvey Dorland was president, again. He sponsored a new member, Mike Wiley, who would become President of Roosters in 1999. From the start, Mike proved to be a promoter. From 1993 to the 2005, Mike was the founder and ramrod of the Roosters and Jonsson Cancer Center Golf Tournament. The tournament generated over $500,000 for pediatric cancer research.
1994 President John Knipf (20-30 Club), 1995 President Ernie Baldovin and 1996 President Jerry Stanfield established Roosters on a solid foundation for future events to take place. By 1995, membership had doubled. In 1996, Gary Draper (20-30 Clubs) founded the Monte Carlo charity fund-raiser, which would grow and add to the prestige of Roosters in the charity community. A 501-c-3 tax-exempt charity corporation was needed to administer all Roosters charity operations. Gary Draper and Lowell Sneathen founded the Roosters Foundation of Orange County, which was incorporated on July 10, 1997. The mission statement for the foundation is "To raise funds for disadvantaged and at risk children in the Orange County area and to support public and private programs with necessary services for children in need."
In 1997, Titanic is the blockbuster film of the year, The Roosters Foundation is created and incorporated by Gary Draper and Lowell Sneathen. Gary Draper is President of Roosters and Jeff Smith establishes The Roosters Foundation Food Drive. Roosters, family, business associates, and friends purchase and prepare food baskets for delivery to needy families for the holidays. "HUNGER IS A TRAGIC SOCIAL SICKNESS THAT CAN BE CURED" and Roosters becomes a community leader. In 2007, Roosters feed 2,400 families; that is 20,000 individuals.
Over the years, the food drive has received large community support and notoriety. From the news media, the Orange County Board Supervisors, the State of California to the United States Congress, Roosters efforts with the food drives, Monte Carlo, Culinary Masters, and the golf tournaments have placed Roosters as the number one men's charity organization.
1998 President Robert Worley codified 20 years of Roosters procedures. For the first time, future board of directors had a detailed manual from which to operate as a professional and beneficial organization not only for the membership, but to ensure continued community and children's charity activities. This is the basis of the Roosters mission statement that was written by President Wiley in 1999, "To facilitate and encourage life long friendships, while performing charitable works on behalf of children in need."
The year is 2000, Hillary Clinton wins her bid for the U.S. Senate and George Bush is declared president. The new millennium President of Roosters is Lieutenant Colonel Clifford B. Wallace, USMC, retired. Cliff was instrumental in the success of Roosters charity activities. Cliff was the first one to arrive at an event, rolling up the shirtsleeves, inspiring others and the last one to leave.
It is the years 2001 and 2002. Jim Herrell is President of Roosters for the first few months of 2001. His father, who lived in Phoenix, Arizona, became ill and Jim moved to take care of him. Ned Van Rensselaer was Vice President, but unprepared to assume the Presidency. True to Ned's fashion, he called upon the board of directors and select Roosters to assist with the efforts of the administration and the results were amazing. Not only did Ned prevail, but exceeded expectations to become one of the great Presidents of Roosters. He severed not one term, but two. During his tenure, Roosters increased membership, charity contribution and community involvement. In July of 2005, we unexpectedly lost Ned who gave light and meaning to being a Rooster.
In 2003, the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster rips the nation. The Department of Homeland Security comes into operation and Joe De Ladurantey is the 26th President of Roosters. Like a few other Presidents of Roosters, Joe is a Marine. Joe increases community awareness of Roosters charity commitment and membership abounds. Joe is one of the most active and dedicated Roosters. As a Past President, he has continually volunteered for charity projects in a leadership roll.
In 2004, George Walker Bush is elected the 43rd President of the United States and Jim Rose is President of Roosters. Under Jim's leadership, Roosters Charity Policy is formulated, which is in effect today. The following is part of Jim's article that appeared in the Crow Newsletter: "It's not often that you can be a part of group that does as much good for children in need and still have as much fun as we do. When asked to donate my time, I consider it an honor to underwrite a part of the golf classic, Monte Carlo or food dive." Jim Rose passed away on April 24 of 2006 leaving a legacy of charity for all of us to fellow.
The United Nations declared 2005 "The Year of the Volunteer" and Michael Cipolla is the 28th President of Roosters. Michael was a popular President due to his remarkable ability of administration, board of directors, and support staff of volunteers that were dedicated to the Roosters Creed. From Michael's article in the January 2005 Roosters Crow Newsletter: "Charity is the result of our existence, but SOCIAL is the glue Innovative socials will be a major emphasis of this board. Good times bring us together and when we're together good things continue to happen."
In 2006, Italy won the World Cup of Soccer and John McCluskey joined the ranks of other Marines to serve as President of Roosters. From John's article in the January 2006 Roosters Crow Newsletter: "What we do for ourselves die with us! What we do for others is immortal." Feeling the noble obligation to "give back" is one of our prime motivations as Roosters. John McCluskey was a man of courage. John died in office on August 28 of 2006.
Vice-President Bill Schilt fulfilled John's term completing his goals in making Roosters a better place for men in service to their community. Bill has the honor of being the 30th & 31st President of Roosters. In 2007, Bill continued as President and we discovered that Bill is a remarkable man with deep beliefs. The following is from the Roosters Crow Newsletter by President Bill Schilt- "So, I'm sitting on a plane bound for Honolulu to visit my daughter, Jennifer's family and more particularly for my granddaughter Melia's 4th birthday celebration. I have been suffering with "(Roosters Crow) writer's block" for the past two days, when somewhere over the Pacific, I began to think about how we develop our charitable consciences and how they reflect on our work as Roosters.
In my case, I can thank my father. When I was a very young boy, he told me of how during the Great Depression, a Hungarian immigrant name Gustav Molnar would scavenge for any scraps of food he could find in the dumpsters that lined the ally behind the store to feed his family of four. My father had great empathy for this proud out of work man who spoke broken English. Dad would put together a box of food for Gustav when he came to the store's back door around 6:00 p.m.
These memories have stayed with me for all of these years. They resurface every year, around and during the Roosters Foundation Food Drive. I know that my father's act of human kindness influenced my decision to become a Rooster and to give back to those less fortunate. The reward for me, as it was for my father, was the making of friendships with like-minded men, who through their generosity gain a sense of fulfillment. My father and Gustav died many years ago, but their legacy lives on."
In 2008, economic crisis hits Orange County, but under the leadership of President Greg Bates, Roosters increases its charity giving. From the October 2008 Crow Newsletter, "It can never be said too many times, the Roosters volunteers and their families are the life blood of Roosters. We are moving into 32 years of Roosters. Our membership abounds with the greatest volunteers. I am proud of you and take pride in calling you friend."
In 2009, Jeff Smith became President of Roosters. Jeff was the founder of the Roosters Foundation Food Drive, which has grown into the cornerstone of Roosters charity giving. For 2009, under the leadership of Jeff, Roosters has become one of the foremost charitable organizations in California, if not the nation. Roosters support and assistance to Second Harvest Food Bank became a rallying cry across this nation thanks to the many television stations that covered our efforts to support the many food programs that were so very much needed during this national financial crisis. In 2009, Roosters exceeded their own expectations in charity giving. Under the new leadership of Roosters Foundation Food Drive Chairman Jon Giberson, the food drive provided food for 4,000 families; that is to say the 32,000 family members received hot nourishing meals.
In 2010, John Trapani became President of Roosters:
"As we begin our march through 2010, your new Board will examine past events with a goal of selecting and refining those activities which best address our mission. We will continue to project a professional image, while branding the Roosters name throughout Orange County. The Liaison and Endowment Programs will be resurrected as part of the Charity Committee charter and our goal of attracting outstanding new members to our ranks will be a battle cry throughout the year. We realize that the Roosters will face a number of hurdles this year, but with your spirit, enthusiasm and participation (hallmarks of the Roosters), we will continue along the path of reaching our full potential for serving children in need and at risk. I personally encourage you to be an active participant in this journey."
If the truth were known, we are not always the "good old boys". We have our disagreements, but the reality is that as a group, we are unparalleled in our efforts and results in raising necessary funds for children in need. In another 34 years, there will be a Rooster standing before a group assembled as we are today, describing their accomplishments. They may not remember our names, but they will never forget what we have done: one hundred men made the difference and children survived because of our efforts.
As we close the book on 33 years of Roosters history, who will shape the coming years? Today, we have paid honor to the Roosters of 1977 to present. To quote the 1980 Daily Pilot article on Roosters, "IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEN TO GET A FRESH START WITH NEW INVIGORATING FRIENDS. THE IDEA TO FORM THE ROOSTERS TOOK SHAPE WHEN SHARP EXECUTIVES DECIDED TO BRING TOGETHER MEN WHO WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY."
They may not remember our names, but they will never forget what we have done: Roosters, 34 years of friendship and charity.
"TO BE CONTINUED"
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