Pawling Rotary Supports Kids’ Organizations With Over $10K in Grants
By Susan Stone
Pawling Rotary’s annual holiday party took place on December 11th in Lankler Hall at Christ Church on Quaker Hill. The event was attended by Pawling Rotary members as well as 70 guests, including grant recipients and Rotary dignitaries. Following a buffet luncheon provided by Vinny’s Deli, Christ Church Singers entertained all with holiday favorites, after which Ann Godesky, club President, presented more than $10,000 in gifts and grants to local organizations that support Pawling’s children.
Organizations that received grants included Blue Path Service Dogs, which provides pups that are specifically trained to support children with autism; Pawling Free Library’s children’s and teen programming; The Interact Club; Pawling Fire Department and their youth and family outreach programs; Smith Johnson Scout Cabin; Pawling Resource Center; Pawling American Legion in support of their scholarship program; Camp Sundown; and Camp Herrlich, in support of their afterschool programming within the Pawling community. Additionally, Rotary presented a grant to Pawling’s Chamber of Commerce in support of family events such as Community Day and Holiday Tree Lighting. New to Rotary’s list of grant recipients this year were the Ryan McElroy Foundation and the Ty Lewis Campbell Foundation for the work they do helping families and children affected by childhood cancer.
In addition, Rotary International’s signature charitable projects received support. These include Shelter Box, which provides temporary shelter for families that have been displaced by man-made or natural disasters; Polio Plus, which is committed to ending Polio worldwide; and Rotaplast International, an organization that provides needed surgeries for children with cleft lip and palate.
Support for the above organizations, as well as two college scholarships and other educational initiatives are made possible with dollars raised through the annual Pawling Rotary Golf Outing at the Quaker Hill Country Club, and the Fall Festival at Lakeside Park.
Information about Pawling Rotary may be found on its website: pawlingrotary.org.
