Families helping families - Rotarians distribute groceries; teach children tradition of giving

ARLINGTON The Arlington Rotary Club members were joined by their families at their regular Thursday lunch meeting Dec. 21 to assemble and distribute 50 boxes full of groceries for the holidays to families from Lakewood to Darrington.
Rotary president John Meno welcomed all the family members for pizza lunch after the boxes were assembled and before they were to be delivered after lunch.
Having all of our kids here to help will teach them to continue the tradition of giving service, Meno said.
The Arlington Rotary Club has been giving out baskets for possibly 20 years, and they have been assisted by Rick Blewitt of the Arlington Safeway store for 10 years.
Ive been a member of this club for 35 years and I think weve been doing this for 20 years, said Dick Post, retired superintendent of Arlington schools.
Rick Blewitt of Safeway said hes been helping out for 10 years, ever since former police chief Steve Robinson came to him in search of assistance.
The boxes contained onions, eggs, celery, potatoes, brown and white sugar and a turkey among other food stuff to help make the holidays special for 50 families in need.
Most of the Rotary members were accompanied by their wives and children who helped pack the boxes before a special pizza lunch. After lunch each Rotarian took a different route for delivery of the boxes.
Each member of the club donated $60 and Blewitt kept his eyes out for the best deals on many of the contents. His staff of each department at the store helped gather the goods.
This is a very nice effort on the part of the Rotary, said Blewitt, who is not a member of the club.
My crews in meat, dairy and produce and some other departments, too, really enjoy the project. It takes some extra time, but it makes them feel like they are a part of something, Blewitt said.
Blewitt attended the lunch briefly as he was delivering a few some missing bags of sugar before the boxes were distributed Thursday afternoon.
I think a lot of the boxes go to seniors, Blewitt said. We need to help our seniors.

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