Volunteer Corner: Jerry Pearlman Residence: Tahoe City Occupation: Real estate

The Tahoe City Rotary donates dictionaries to each third grader at Tahoe Lake elementary. Why? In order to provide an excellent resource book for each student in class and at home. The dictionaries are a gift for them to keep.

Is this a national program?

This is a national program for Rotary.

How did you get involved with the dictionary contribution?

This is part of my responsibility as Youth Service Chair in our Club.

Describe the children’s reaction.

The reaction of the students is fantastic. Their emotions are so pure and untainted.

Does the Rotary have an investment in literacy, education?

We all must have a role in literacy and education.

The dictionaries look beautiful, could you tell me the title and publisher?

MacMillan Dictionary for Children by Simon & Schuster.

Tell me a bit about the Rotary Club.

Rotary is an International Organization focus on “Service Above Self.”

The four-way test of the things we think, say or do is:

First…Is it the TRUTH?

Second…Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Third…Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS.

Fourth…Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned.

When, why and how did you get involved in Rotary.

I was asked to join Rotary by Bob Clark after putting our boat for a cruise as an auction item in my wife’s TLC (Tahoe League for Charity).

I am currently the President-elect for Rotary Club of Tahoe City, and as part of Youth Services Chairman, I am in charge of the “Interact Club” at North Tahoe High School (currently we have 30 members).

Why volunteer?

Volunteering has become a major part of my life now. I feel it is a responsibility that we all must embrace as a member of the community. Emotional moments: the look in the eyes of the third graders when they get the dictionaries, the look in the Senior Citizen’s eyes at Christmas and other events, the look in the eyes of the scholarship recipients at graduation, the joy of the students who have attended our RYLA Leadership Camp, the excitement of the children at our Santa/sled day at Granlibakken.

Tell me a bit about you.

I have lived here for almost 30 years. I like to play golf, ski and boat. I have been a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for more than 10 years.

Any thoughts you would like to add?

Rotary is much bigger than any of the things I mentioned. I encourage you to participate and get more information about our Club by attending one of our meetings. We meet every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Sawtooth Restaurant in Tahoe City. My phone number and e-mail address for individuals who would like to contact me about Rotary are 583-9304, pearljb2@att.net.

Thanks to all of you who do all the positive things for our world!



— The Sierra Sun’s Amy Edgett interviewed Jerry Pearlman for this week’s Volunteer Corner. Please send suggestions to aedgett@sierrsun.com.

For volunteer opportunities,

visit handsontahoe.org.