Downey Rotary hosting bowling tournament for 10-20 Club

DOWNEY - The Rotary Club of Downy is sponsoring a Bowling Tournament at Del Rio Lanes to raise money for the 10-20 Club, whose mission is the early intervention of youth in that age range who are at risk of joining gangs.

The partnership between Downey Rotary and the 10-20 Club began back in 1995 when two men, stars in their own spheres, conjoined to help others. Former Rotary District 5280 Governor Bill Bowermaster, and Darrell Jackson, pitching ace for the Minneapolis Twins, met with the troubled youth, knelt and prayed with

them, and gave them their home phone numbers so they could call them any time day or night, be it midnight or 2 a. m., whenever the need for help was great.

Bowermaster, a former president of the Rotary Club of Downey, was a person committed to his Catholic faith and service to others. He devoted a considerable part of his life to social and religious projects. Long an active leader in Rotary International, he served as Chairman of "Give of Yourself Organ Donation" Program. Bill focused on at-risk youth, and released felons. He was intent on their reintegration into society.

Jackson, the longtime president of the 10-20 Club and now an honorary Rotarian, was an intensely hot pitching star for the Minnesota Twins from 1978-82. Darrell was a graduate of high school in Watts.

"Sports was my way out of the ghetto,” he has said. “Growing up to play baseball was my dream of living happily ever after.”

But Darrell’s lifestyle which led to crack highs, erratic behavior on the ball field, and a fast tumble back to the streets of L. A. Darrell attributes his life’s turnaround from narcotic addiction to Christianity. Now he says, “It’s not what I get out of life. It’s what my life can do for others.”

Darrell personally manages the 10-20 Club. Since 1995, the 10-20 Club has helped to transform the lives of thousands of at-risk youth. It assists teens referred to them by the Downey Unified School District, the Norwalk Superior Court, Rio Hondo Probation Department and formerly the Los Padrinos Juvenile Court.

Services are offered to youth on probation, expulsions from local school districts, and self-referrals. In addition to sports and recreational activities, there are courses in anger management, and drug and alcohol addiction. Programs focus on mentoring and advising teens to pursue excellence in education, taking pride in their community, and living a healthy lifestyle.

The 10-20 Club is now part of Downey’s G.O,O,D. program, aided by collaboration with parents, the Downey Unified School District, the Downey Police Department, the Downey Family YMCA, faith groups and service clubs.

Among the many Downey Rotary connections with the 10-20 Club is Downey Rotarian Phil Mautino, former Supervising Judge at Los Padrinos, who said, “The

10-20 Club provides great counseling for drugs, violence and family problems. We at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Court rely on this organization for help.”

The Bowling Tournament is being held at Del Rio Lanes, whose general manager Mike Cammarata is one of Rotary’s newest members. Money raised, through fees and sponsorships, will help the organization maintain and expand its services.

“By the way,” says Darrell, “I’m not a player, I’m a pitcher.”