His official title is Worthy President Bill Rudaitis. When it comes to children’s charities, he has earned a different title.
‘The call me ‘worthy marshmallow,?? Rudaitis said. ‘I just like kids.?
President of Clarkston Aerie 3373 of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Rudaitis also tries to deflect the focus from himself to his fellow Eagles.
‘I’ve had some great people to help me along the way,? he said. ‘It’s a team effort. The amount of charities we’ve done throughout this year could not be undertaken by one person.?
The list of charities is indeed a long one. The main focus, following the lead of their national organization, is on four different causes: the Golden Eagles Alzheimer’s Fund (with a May 8 steak fry scheduled to benefit that charity), the Jimmy Durante Children’s Fund, the Max Baer Heart Fund and the Art Ehrmann Cancer Fund.
The local club, however, has embraced a number of ongoing and special projects, including a fund-raiser for the Pontiac-based Haven organization (complete with a visit to children from the Easter Bunny), adopting families at Christmas and fund-raisers for specific victims of car crashes. The group also sponsored a Christmas party for a Brandon Township organization which uses horses to help those with disabilities.
In addition, the group offers help within their own ranks. They staged a benefit for the family of a past worthy president, and for the past three years have sponsored a golf outing to help a college scholarship fund for children of members.
‘Our motto is ‘people helping people,?? Rudaitis said. ‘We try our best to fulfill that.?
A General Motors inspector in Pontiac, Rudaitis joined the Eagles organization about 23 years ago, but work-related travel made it difficult for him to be fully involved. In the past few years, he’s been more active, and was a trustee for two years before running for president last year.
The Clarkston group was founded in 1968, and now boasts about 600 male members and 400 women in the auxiliary.
Some are more active than others, and there is the standard mix of personalities and preferences, but ‘When somebody’s in trouble, everyone comes together,? Rudaitis said.
Some of his colleagues believe Rudaitis doesn’t take enough credit for his work.
Treasurer Jerry Frederick said the organization’s bylaws call for the president to appoint people to head up various committees, but ‘If the guy’s not available, he goes ahead and does it and doesn’t get any credit for it. He’s a friend to everyone who comes in here.?
Joan Karrick, a past worthy president, said Rudaitis ‘has a real big heart for children,? inspiring the rest of the group to support children’s charities. ‘It really comes out. He’s a real softie when it comes to kids.?
One reason for that attitude may be his own family. Rudaitis is married with two grown daughters, ‘and a grandson who doesn’t share his toys with me. When I take them he goes running to grandma,? he said, joking about the advantages.
‘If I had my way, I’d skip kids altogether and go right to grandkids,? he said. ‘You can spoil them and send them home.?
Rudaitis said the Eagles work hard to ensure the maximum benefit to their charities. The members pay all the club overhead through their own dues and donations, so everything donated to a charity actually goes to the charity.
‘We take care of our own expenses,? he said. ‘We do this for the needy children in our community.?
Working with the Eagles occupies much of his spare time, but Rudaitis has other interests.
‘I golf poorly,? he said, laughing, and his likes to fish when he has time. He also brags about the video golf game recently acquired by the Eagles.
‘This machine has been occupied by myself and the members. It’s very competitive,? he said. ‘I spend a lot of time here.?
The camaraderie among the Eagles is evident, and Rudaitis said the key to their success is all the ‘good people? who make it work.
‘It ain’t me; it’s the people,? he said. ‘I can’t say enough about the people in this club. We’ve helped a lot of people along the way, and hopefully we’ll help a lot more.?
Those interested in joining the Eagles must have a sponsor, and they recommend visiting the club several times to get a full impression of the organization. There are plenty of people to throw out the welcome mat, however. For more information on the Clarkston Eagles, call (248) 625-9838.