Rotary Club of Grand Island, New York

Grand Island Rotary Club Mission Statement:

The Grand Island Rotary Club will set the standard as a premier service club in our community, fostering fellowship and goodwill, emphasizing high ethical standards and promoting Service above Self.

Welcome to Grand Island Rotary!

Grand Island

Service Above Self

Grand Island Rotary 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
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Club Officers
President
Dick Earne
Secretary
Henry G. Kammerer
President Elect
Sherry Miller
Treasurer
Dan Flaim
Past President
Michael W. Heigel
Director
Brian Graham
Director
Kyle Clayton
Director
Christine Learman
Director
Mary E. Haggerty
 
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Undie Sunday is Here!
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!
Service Project with Habitat for Humanity
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.
  
Where Everybody Belongs!
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!
Induct New Member at New Breakfast Meeting Location
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!
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!
    
Interact Students help Conduct Supervisor Candidates' Night
Posted by Mike Billoni on Oct 11, 2019
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.
Town Supervisor Candidates Night
Posted by Mike Billoni on Oct 09, 2019
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
Taste of Grand Island Empanada Success
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Sep 29, 2019
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.
      
Grand Empanadas at Taste of Grand Island
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Sep 11, 2019

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.  
    
Support to Miracle League Ball Field
Posted by Sherry Miller on Aug 14, 2019

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.  

G I Rotary Celebrates 60 Years of Service
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Jun 19, 2019
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!
  
What is the Growing Readers Program?
Posted by Brian Graham on Jun 15, 2019

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!
Posted by Christine Learman on Jun 01, 2019
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.
Visit by DG Schreck and action by all!
Posted by Michael Billoni on May 22, 2019
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.
    
 
Youth Service Groups Challenge Rotarians!
Posted by Sherry Miller on Apr 01, 2019
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!
    
Successful Meat Raffle makes for Growing Readers
Posted by Brian Graham on Mar 10, 2019
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! 
    
Bitter Cold makes Extra Need!
Posted by Faye Teluk on Feb 07, 2019
    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
   "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.
  
 
2nd Annual Meat Raffle Night!
Posted by Brian Graham
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
  
We Showed Rotarians at Work (in the Rain)
Posted by Sherry Miller on Dec 11, 2018
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!
   
Light Up the Boulevard for Holidays
Posted by Sherry Miller on Nov 14, 2018
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.
    
Support Rotary Foundation and its Projects
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Nov 01, 2018
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!
          
Ukraine Educators see STEM in Action in WNY
Posted by Faye Teluk on Oct 30, 2018
Five Ukraine teachers, educators, were shown several aspects of educating youth and young adults in STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, medicine by Grand Island Rotary last month. Part of the Open World exchange program – U.S. Congress sponsored, having brought more than 26,000 current and future leaders from post-Soviet era countries to US to see our free enterprise and democratic processes in action. Science wings of schools in Alden, Lancaster and Grand Island, technology training of young adults at the Northland Industry center and at Cannon Design on Grand Island, plus aspects of WNY life (and the Falls!). Meetings and dinners with Buffalo Medical Corridor and Grand Island Rotary Clubs. A busy week for Ukrainians, an interesting and informative week for G I Rotarians also.
      
Adopt-A-Hiway in Rain!
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Oct 28, 2018
Thank goodness for TOUGH GI High School Students and Advisor Mandy Myers. Yes, our Fall Beaver Isle Pkwy clean up had a 'bit of rain'. But 10 students and 7 Rotarians showed TRUE GRIT and got the job done, even extending onto the ramps near bridge. It is sometimes difficult, and please don't touch the road kill, but we thank all who braved the cool, damp, and allowed all to be more proud of our highways. Pray for good weather in May when we are back.
    
GI Rotary Welcomes Ukrainian Study Group
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Oct 11, 2018
Five Ukraine teachers, educators, will be here in Western NY as guests of the US Congress and of Grand Island Rotary from Oct 12 – 20. Rotarians will show them several aspects of educating our youth and young adults in STEM fields: science, technology, engineering, medicine. Science wings of schools, technology training centers, plus several unique aspects of WNY life. How do you start such a tour? Dinner at the Dnipro Ukrainian Center on Genesee St. of course! Remember the Dnipro River flows thru Kyiv on its way thru the heart of Ukraine on its way to the Black Sea.
    
Rotary Action - Beyond Fund Raising
Posted by Henry G. Kammerer on Sep 26, 2018
Rotary Action: Fund Raising and So Much More
For 30 years, 1988 – 2018, Rotary Clubs like Grand Island have worked under Rotary International and governments, foundations to ERADICATE POLIO. Polio, long gone from North America, still produced millions of disabled folks a year, 30 years ago. Money ($700 Million from Rotary just since 2010) and Rotary volunteers helped the dramatic reduction such that now less than 20 wild Polio cases per year, and in only 3 countries. As the Eradicate Polio goal nears, here is an example of Actions Rotarians around the world take beyond ‘just’ raising $’s. Improving organization and record keeping, key to successful Polio vaccination and other health care improvement, Pakistan Rotarians are giving cell phones to local health workers so that vaccination teams can be sent rapidly to critical areas and results logged in, called back promptly. Rotary efforts include thoughtful Action, in addition to their massive money raising.
    

Grand Island Rotary Club Mission Statement:

The Grand Island Rotary Club will set the standard as a premier service club in our community, fostering fellowship and goodwill, emphasizing high ethical standards and promoting Service above Self.

Welcome to Grand Island Rotary!

Grand Island

Service Above Self

Grand Island Rotary 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
DistrictSiteIcon
District Site
LatestPublishedBulletin
Bulletins
VenueMap
Venue Map
Service Projects of Grand Island Rotary