Rotary Halloween Family Faire offers fun and entertainment for all ages, while supporting local philanthropic efforts

Woodland Hills, CA — Children of all ages and their furry friends will don their scariest and perhaps funniest costumes at the upcoming Rotary Club of Woodland Hills annual Halloween Family Faire on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Warner Center Park (5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367). Faire-goers will have a chance to participate in a human costume parade and contest from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. while their pets can parade from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes. Admission and parking are free.

During the faire, guests will enjoy a variety of fun activities for all ages including: pumpkin painting, face painting, a costume contest, pet parade, games, bounce houses, arts and crafts, exhibitors, food trucks, entertainment and more. The event, launched last year and hosted in conjunction with the Valley Cultural Center and West Valley – Warner Center Chamber of Commerce, supports the Rotary’s various philanthropic efforts including a new volunteer-driven RotaCare Clinic offering free-to-low cost medical care for uninsured and underinsured families living in the San Fernando Valley.

“Apart from being fun and entertaining, the Halloween Family Faire is our single most important annual fundraiser that helps support our work in the community,” said,” said Diane Nelson, past president of the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills and event lead. “In particular, the faire will help raise funds for RotaCare, a clinic we opened earlier this year to support residents in need of low-to-no cost medical care. Now more than ever, there is an urgent need for affordable healthcare options in our communities given recent efforts to do away with the Affordable Care Act. This is where Rotary can be of help via RotaCare,” added Nelson.

Since its launch, RotaCare has provided more than 200 blood pressure screenings through local churches and senior centers. It has also partnered with the UCLA Stein Eye Institute to offer free eye exams and glasses. In addition, a volunteer physician has established a Thursday night clinic weeknights from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., offering free checkups and support.

“In the short time we’ve launched the clinic, we’ve created a database of nearly 600 patients, and, in addition to providing two eyeglass donation events, we’ve partnered with Platt Village Dental Group to offer dental check ups,” said Gwyn Petrick, who leads the RotaCare Clinic in Canoga Park. “The need is definitely palpable, so funds raised during the faire will definitely help support our continued efforts in the community,” added Petrick.

Fore more than fifty years, the Rotary Club of Woodland Hills has served the community through its commitment to service above self. Hundreds of Rotary volunteers and donors have provided continuous support and resources to countless local schools, and nonprofit organizations serving youth, families, the elderly, disabled, and animals. The Club also contributes to initiatives that have an impact on the quality of life of individuals locally and around the world. Recipients of Rotary support include: the Pacific Lodge Boys Home (foster youth), the Department of Children and Family Services, Reseda Elementary School, Serrania Elementary School, Taft High School, El Camino High School, Pierce College, San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, Rotaplast (international medical missions), Rotary Club of India mammogram mobile, and many others.

Rotary International brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. The organization connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.rotary.org.

To learn more about the Halloween Family Faire visit http://www.halloweenfaire.org. Facebook www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWoodlandHills and Twitter https://twitter.com/rotarywh.