As our Town, and its people, sit disturbed and locked-down, it may seem the Rotary Motto – Service Above Self – a relic of the past. Not so, it works in small ways today. Use the phone, Email, Internet: help with tasks, socializing for the elderly; keep youth on the path of education; and in so doing keep yourself alive, active, interested in your community.
Welcome to Grand Island Rotary!
Service Above Self
Rotary Club of Grand Island is following a 'Flexible Meeting' Concept, with 2 meetings per month. Please see the Calendar attached to this Web Site for Club meeting schedule and venues.
Eggsquisite @ 1752 G I Blvd or Buffalo Launch Club
Grand Island, NY 14072
United States of America
Grand Island, NY 14072
United States of America
District Site
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Bulletins
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Venue Map
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Student Entrepreneur Success!
An excellent meeting March 11 at Eggsquisite, as POD chair Brian Graham brought us the student entrepreneurs who created Casey’s Cabana out of an old 'clam shack' on Ferry Rd. Gabby Bergstrom & Luke Hess took what they learned both in Business classes at G I High School and the unique extras from participation in DECA at the school, applied them in real life to Casey's Cabana. They and other similar students are a real tribute to the business teaching aspects of the High School program. President Dick Earne presented them with our traditional Coffee Mugs with the Four Way Test (look it up!) Their Cabana will re-open Memorial Day weekend, with 7 day a week service when school ends (if Covid-19 ever lets school re-start this Spring!). More details at their Casey's Cabana web site: www.caseyscabana.com
Dollars Flowed leading to Reading Improved!
The GI Rotary sponsored Meat Raffle on March 7 produced over $5000 for the GI Schools Growing Readers program plus Rotary's High School Scholarships and support of the Rotary Interact and EarlyAct youth service clubs.
How did it happen? Dollars flowed, Dollars waved, Dollars were counted, yes: also great meat selections and unique raffle prizes went out the door! Rotary thanks all who worked hard, and collected prizes for the evening. Just wait for another great evening next year!
In the just concluded ‘Undie Sunday’ program, Grand Islanders provided G I Rotary with a tremendous stock of new ‘undies’ & socks that have now been delivered to St Luke’s Mission of Mercy in Buffalo and to Community Mission in Niagara Falls. Rotary thanks all the churches, businesses, Town Hall and Library that made it possible for Island folks to think so generously of the plight of the homeless and abused in this late Winter weather.
Grand Island Rotarians challenged themselves to a new service project this week – a team of 5 worked with Habitat for Humanity – Buffalo on the rehabbing of a home on Brooklyn Ave, Masten Park district of Buffalo. Led by Project Chair Mike Malaney, they installed closet and room doors, a trap door into attic, plus finish work and painting. Not the desk jobs they are used to, some tools different from their experience, paint brushes, of course; cold, damp January (tho not snowy!) but all-in-all a good experience, and a feeling of accomplishment and service.
We have all heard how scary school is, particularly for the 'middle grades' or Middle School: 6,7,8th Grades in most Districts. This week (Jan 22, 2020) G I Rotarian Brian Graham brought us John Fitzpatrick, Principal of the Middle School, to explain a program 'Where Everyone Belongs' which is now being successfully used in the G I Veronica Connor Middle School to overcome the lonely, isolated feeling that leads many youth to make poor, often dangerous, choices to try to overcome or coverup isolated feelings. Training and encouraging individual 8th graders to befriend, work with, play with, (we might call it 'mentor') the new crop of 6th graders in formalized groups (to make sure all are covered) and then celebrate these new sets of friends with fun, school-wide activities and learning sessions, has really brought the WHOLE school together. Yes, that age group is prone to 'experimenting' (we might say get themselves in trouble) - here is a program that really works; often because with friends, a youth is not likely to strike out in dangerous directions on their own!
Very good meeting this AM (12/18/19) for Grand Island Rotary. Excellent food and service at the new Eggsquisite Eats on G I Blvd, plus a great talk by young Yusuf Mojawalla, whose family owns Island Ship Center. Then on to Induction of New Member, Max Pikula, Principal of Huth Rd. Elementary School. Sherry Miller, President Elect, and Mary Haggerty, Membership Chair, officiated. 50 Year Member, Hank Kammerer, couldn’t resist saying a word or two; an additional feature of the meeting was description of progress in raising funds for an inspiring foreign project of the Club – a well in rural area of Brazzaville, Congo, so folks (usually girls) don’t have to walk miles carrying water to their homes.
A Full Range of Rotary Service Helped Salvation Army on Grand Island!
To increase the donations to the Salvation Army Kettle at G I Tops Market, there was a full range of Rotary Service showing. G I Middle School Interact students (led by Advisor Carly Antonelli) on select days brought songs during this Holiday Season. And the more ‘adult’ High School Interact students chattered and flashed smiles to increase donations on their shift. Rotarian Mike Malaney just rang the little bell and called out, to increase donations on his shift!
To increase the donations to the Salvation Army Kettle at G I Tops Market, there was a full range of Rotary Service showing. G I Middle School Interact students (led by Advisor Carly Antonelli) on select days brought songs during this Holiday Season. And the more ‘adult’ High School Interact students chattered and flashed smiles to increase donations on their shift. Rotarian Mike Malaney just rang the little bell and called out, to increase donations on his shift!
Rotary Club of Grand Island’s High School Interact Club
to be heavily involved in Supervisor Candidates’ Night
Four students will Moderate Questions for the three candidates
The Rotary Club of Grand Island’s first Town Supervisor Candidates’ Night, with assistance from the Grand Island High School Interact Club, will be held Wednesday, October 16 from 7-9 p.m. in the Grand Viking Theatre inside the high school at 1100 Ransom Road.
The candidates running for Supervisor are Thomas Franz, Conservative Party; Jim Sharpe, Democratic and Working Families Parties; and John C. Whitney, PC, Republican and Independence Parties.
The Rotary Club announced two dozen students from its High School Interact program will participate in the event as moderators, greeters and runners to obtain questions from the audience.
The three candidates will be seated behind a table on the stage and four students will serve as moderators, asking the questions. They will be assisted by Rotarian Mike Billoni, chair of the event.
Seniors Lucas Kruse and Luke Hess and sophomores Alexis Nguyen and Natalie Carter will be the moderators. Junior Amina Shaibi will serve as time-keeper. Kruse and Hess are co-presidents of this year’s High School Interact program under Laura Estenoz, a High School teacher and the long-time Interact Advisor.
On Wed, Oct 16, 7 – 9 PM, we in G I Rotary will host a free Candidates Night (for Town Supervisor candidates only) in the High School auditorium. We hope for a large turnout of Islanders interested in what the Town of Grand Island could do, now and in the future. Do you know the Candidates? They are: Thomas Franz, Conservative Party; Jim Sharpe, Democratic Party and John C. Whitney, PC, Republican and Independence Parties. The format will include candidates responding to pre-submitted written questions only. There will be no questions shouted from the audience. Want to ask a question? Submit the question by Email to Chair Mike Billoni: Mike@Billoni.com
Weather a bit grim, but our Taste of Grand Island Rotary booth did a good job of making, frying, selling, Empanadas Sat, Sep 28. While the weather held, we had steady customers for delicious meat or veggie Empanadas, the fried plantains went well also. Hard work by many Members, thanks to Major Celestin for bringing the cooker, and to Brian Graham for the photos. Customers went away with yummies, plus understanding Rotary’s strong role in helping Grand Island, particularly our youth, grow and succeed. Watch for other Rotary activities, such as Supervisor Candidates Night October 16, Beaver Isle Pkwy cleanup and Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing in December.
Taste Grand Empanadas on Grand Island
Come to the G I Rotary booth at Taste of Grand Island in Town Commons on Saturday, Sep 28, 11 AM – 8 PM, for great empanadas. Beef filled ones, the favorite Spicy Beef ones, veggie ones, water or pop available to go with them. Find the Latin American taste that excites everyone, while you support Grand Island Rotary with its youth service clubs, High School scholarships and donations to the Miracle League field.
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Grand Island Rotary is pleased to have made its yearly contribution to the Miracle League of WNY for support & maintenance of their unique playing field in Grand Island’s Veterans Park. This ball field has an all-weather, but cushioned, surface that allows wheelchair bound or otherwise challenged youth to PLAY BALLin a safe, yet exciting, way. The Miracle League also has a handicap accessible playground, allowing wheelchairs or kids with walking aid frames to be swung or twirled! G I Rotary President Elect Sherry Miller and Member Mike Billoni are here presenting a $2500 check on Aug. 11, 2019, to Scott McManigle, Exec. Director of the Miracle League as the kids and their coaches get ready for another fun-filled game. Grand Island Rotary had joined Buffalo Sabres Alumni, the GI Lions Club and others in making major donations 5 – 8 years ago start these world-class facilities for the benefit of handicapped youth.
Grand Island Rotary Celebrates 60 Years of Service to G I and the World!
On Wed. June 26, at the Buffalo Launch Club will celebrate its 60 years of local, international service. Anybody remember Grand Island in 1959? One traffic light, only one bridge to Niagara Falls, Neisner’s in the newly opened G I Plaza with open fields around, P.O. in an old house on Whitehaven! Perhaps you remember Rotary’s first big project: The Great Beaver Island Train (which ended up at Fantasy Island 5 years later). Town cleanup campaigns plus Adopt-a-Hiway, creating the Neighbors Foundation, Books for Barbados, and so much more, Grand Island Rotary has been happy and proud to be part of of making Grand Island a Grand place to Live for 60 Years!
On Wed. June 26, at the Buffalo Launch Club will celebrate its 60 years of local, international service. Anybody remember Grand Island in 1959? One traffic light, only one bridge to Niagara Falls, Neisner’s in the newly opened G I Plaza with open fields around, P.O. in an old house on Whitehaven! Perhaps you remember Rotary’s first big project: The Great Beaver Island Train (which ended up at Fantasy Island 5 years later). Town cleanup campaigns plus Adopt-a-Hiway, creating the Neighbors Foundation, Books for Barbados, and so much more, Grand Island Rotary has been happy and proud to be part of of making Grand Island a Grand place to Live for 60 Years!
Grand Island Rotary has raised funds, thru a meat raffle, for the GI School District’sGrowing ReadersProject, the last two years. Have you wondered about its details? Grand Island School District Superintendent (and GI Rotarian) Brian Graham has prepared a great summary:
The Growing Readers project is an innovative collaboration among Grand Island Pediatrics, the Grand Island Central School District and local community groups to increase a child’s success with developing early literacy skills, through the promotion of parents reading aloud with their infants. Pediatricians can provide advice on the importance of developing early literacy skills through read-aloud activities, and influence a culture of reading within the family. This project will focus its efforts on having an island pediatrician distribute a book to an infant’s caregiver at “well baby” visits in the 2nd, 6th, 12th, 18th and 24th months. The books will be kept by the families and the infant’s library will grow with each visit.
SHRED-IT on Grand Island! Safe, reliable, document destruction of your boxes of those old financial or tax papers. Saturday, June 15 at the Key Bank end of the Tops Parking lot, Grand Island. Only $10 per box to give you peace of mind and free up some file cabinet or storage space! Grand Island Rotary offers this activity to raise funds for its support of the Miracle League Field at Veterans Park, providing accessible sports and playground for challenged youth. The SHRED-IT activity is sponsored by Christine A. Learman, CPA, PC.
Compliments from District Governor followed by Action!
Rotary District 7090 Governor Melisa Schrock attended the Rotary Club breakfast meeting on May 9 at the Holiday Inn Express, commending them on the four youth clubs it sponsors within the Grand Island Schools, High School and Middle School Interact Clubs, plus Early Act Clubs at Huth Rd. & Kaegebein Elementary Schools. Just two days later, Club members, Interact members and advisors showed their interest in community service, spending hours cleaning up Beaver Island Parkway. Ms. Schrock, said recruiting new Rotary members continues to be a major initiative for all Rotary Clubs. In her words: “The new generation of Rotary Club members are going to be extremely interested in service projects so I encourage you to continue your focus on service projects and youth involvement.” She also received from the several youth Clubs, thru Advisor Sherry Miller, the $943.20 the students raised in Purple Pinkie Polio Fundraisers held during the spring to bring attention to Rotary’s primary goal of eradicating polio world-wide. The Rotary Club of Grand Island will celebrate its 60thanniversary at a dinner meeting on June 26 at the Buffalo Launch Club.
Undie Sunday is here for the 20th Year!
Bring New Underwear, Socks packages to Hampers that will be all over Grand Island!
Help Community Mission of Niagara Falls and St. Luke's Mission of Mercy Buffalo help the homeless and
those abused of Western NY!
EarlyAct, Interact, Rotaract show Rotarians the Way
Grand Island’s Early Act (Elementary school service Clubs), Interact (Middle & High School service Clubs) and the UB Rotaract Club raised $932 for Rotary Foundation’s Eradicating Polio project in past 2 months. They held Purple Pinkie sessions at their schools, where students and parents donated to have pinkies purpled, just as happens in Afghanistan / Pakistan when polio drops are administered in those few remaining areas were Polio exists. The somewhat older university Rotaractors had obtained a grant for supplies (purple disinfecting dye) and posters to help the younger ones. Kaegebein School raised $200, Huth Rd. $341, Middle School $86 and the High School $305. Now GI Rotarians have a challenge: write their own checks for the End Polio Now drive! All those funds are being multiplied by a major grant from the Bill Gates Foundation for hopefully the final push – remember Polio is only in humans, if the World goes 3 years without Polio, it’s gone!
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Everyone needs a party and some packages of meat – SO - Grand Island Rotarians teamed up with Grand Island Schools to raise money supporting the Growing Readers program of providing Read to Me books to parents of toddlers. Their 2ndAnnual Meat Raffle on March 9 was a huge success: Dollars were flowing in, meat and other prizes were flowing out, while good times were flowing all around!
Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Undie Sunday to benefit the homeless in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and surrounding areas is ideal considering the recent below zero temperatures. Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 10 and concluding on Sunday, Feb. 24 Island residents are encouraged to donate the basic needs of new, unused underclothing and socks for homeless men, women and children.
Donations may be placed in the hampers at the following churches on Grand Island: Bible Fellowship Center, 1136 Baseline Rd.; Bible Presbyterian, 1650 Love Rd.; Island Presbyterian, St. Martin’s in the Fields Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church and St. Timothy’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In addition, donations may also be placed in the hampers at Ace Hardware, Grand Island Library, Island Pharmacy, Island Ship Center and Momma D’s Bakery & Café, KeyBank, M&T Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, Tops Friendly Markets, and the lobby of Town Hall.
The donations will be sorted on February 25 before being delivered to the Buffalo City Mission, Community Mission of Niagara Falls, Harbor House and St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. For more information, visit www.rotaryclubgi.org or call 716.863.2577
Donations may be placed in the hampers at the following churches on Grand Island: Bible Fellowship Center, 1136 Baseline Rd.; Bible Presbyterian, 1650 Love Rd.; Island Presbyterian, St. Martin’s in the Fields Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church and St. Timothy’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In addition, donations may also be placed in the hampers at Ace Hardware, Grand Island Library, Island Pharmacy, Island Ship Center and Momma D’s Bakery & Café, KeyBank, M&T Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, Tops Friendly Markets, and the lobby of Town Hall.
The donations will be sorted on February 25 before being delivered to the Buffalo City Mission, Community Mission of Niagara Falls, Harbor House and St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. For more information, visit www.rotaryclubgi.org or call 716.863.2577
"We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the Grand Island residents who donate to this extremely important program. These items provide a personal dignity, comfort and warmth for the homeless in our community," said Faye Teluk, Chair of the Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Undie Sunday committee. She also thanked Island Ship Center for preparing posters appearing around the Island and Popular Graphics for the banner you will see under Town Center sign.
Join us for our 2nd annual Meat Raffle on March 9th at the Knights of Columbus on Grand Island. Great eating and support of a good cause! Monies raised will go to support Growing Readers and Rotary Youth projects. Growing Readers is a GI School District originated program to provide 'Read To Me' books to parents of new-borns and toddlers to encourage development of reading appreciation and skills before the child reaches school age, increasing the likelihood that reading skills accompany them thru the years. To order tickets email: GIMeatRaffle@gmail.com
Showing Rotarians Work and Brave the Weather!
Grand Island Rotary tried something new this year – G I Chamber had Light Up Boulevard parade as Holiday Season started (Dec. 1). Surprising number of spectators watched us march, including 3 Interactors, with Rotarians at Work banner, lighted truck with reindeer followed in gloom. Yes, it was drizzling, but not bitter cold, got good comments on our hardiness! We have learned a lesson: next year we need a Hot Air Balloon Burner to really Light up the Boulevard, and our marchers!
Helping Light Up the Boulevard
Grand Island Rotary will help the GI Chamber of Commerce and other Island organizations bring in a well lit Holiday Season on Saturday, Dec. 1, 5 PM, after that unique Rudolph’s Run. Our truck with hundreds of lights – some modern LED’s, some old strings ‘almost antiques’, brings light to Grand Island Boulevard, then leads Rotary & Interact walkers plus everyone to the Town Holiday Tree Lighting in Town Center near Rotary Gazebo. Santa will be in Town Hall for kids, eats & treats in Town Center, lots to do. Maybe you will need gloves, ear muffs, scarfs; even so, come enjoy warm community spirit.
Rotary is dedicated to six areas of focus to build a better world (Promoting peace, Fighting disease, Providing clean water and hygiene, Saving mothers and children, Supporting Education, and Building local economies). To support these efforts and end polio forever, over 1 million Rotarians have provided untold hours of effort and over Three Billion dollars through the Rotary Foundation in the past 100+ years. Steady, yearly, contributions keep this tremendous effort going. Having every Rotarian giving ($25 or $100 or more!) and working (local, District or International projects) will insure this tremendous Tradition of Service continues into the future. The number and scope of projects supported might overwhelm the mind – except that when we do it, one check at a time, one hour of service at a time – we can look back and see tremendous accomplishment!
