Pawling Rotary Celebrates This Holiday Season with Donations and Gifts to Local Organizations and More!
By Susan Stone
On Tuesday, December 15th, The Pawling Rotary Club held its annual holiday celebration at Christ Church on Quaker Hill with a luncheon catered by Vinnie’s Deli and attended by Rotary members and invited guests. The Christ Church Choir entertained with holiday music.
The Pawling Rotary Club makes donations to organizations in Pawling that support area youth. This year’s grant recipients included the Pawling Resource Center, The Pawling Free Library, The Interact Club, Pawling Youth Development, Camp Sundown and The Smith-Johnson Scout Cabin. Additionally, The Pawling Fire Department received a gift of thanks, and The Rotary Foundation received a donation to assist international programs supporting children’s health initiatives.
This holiday season, Pawling’s Rotarians adopted two local families in need, who registered with the Pawling Resource Center. Rotary’s families had a combined total of ten children, ranging in ages from two to fifteen. Spearheaded by Rotarian Lori Johnson, who acted as Rotary’s secret Santa, gifts ranged from coats, boots, hats and scarves to toys and games and grocery store gift cards. Gifts were wrapped by Rotary members and delivered to The Pawling Resource Center for distribution.
Pawling Rotary is the grateful recipient of a Rotary District Grant which, this year, will be used toward a second donation to Shelter Box USA before year’s end. Pawling Rotary’s initial donation, made earlier this year, purchased a Shelter Box for victims of Nepal’s deadly earthquake. This December, Rotary members raised funds through its membership and added to this grant in order to secure the purchase of a second Shelter Box. Shelter Box USA provides sturdy, temporary housing for families that have been displaced or made homeless by natural or man-made disasters.
Finally, Pawling Rotary added to its ranks with the induction of Matthew Daniels at Tuesday’s holiday luncheon. He was warmly welcomed by all in attendance.
The members of Pawing Rotary thank the Pawling community for supporting fundraising efforts on behalf of Pawling’s children, and wish all a wonderful holiday season and a healthy and happy new year!
Pawling Rotary would like to hear from you if you have an interest in doing good in the world or doing good right here in Pawling. Please contact Pawling Rotary’s president, Ann Godesky at: anngodesky@gmail.com
