Pawling Rotary Celebrates the Season of Giving…by Giving!!
By Susan Stone
December 12th was a particularly joyous day for the Pawling Rotary Club. At its annual year-end holiday celebration in Lanker Hall at Christ Church on Quaker Hill, the Christ Church Singers, under the direction of Toni LaPietra, regaled all with four lovely holiday selections; a delicious lunch was served to members and guests by Vinny’s Catering; and then the club, led by club president Rev. Stefan Gramenz, promptly gave away more than $13,000! Recipients were local organizations that support Pawling’s children and their families, as well as national organizations that support women’s and children’s health and families in distress.
Among the local organizations receiving Rotary support at this event were the Ryan McElroy Foundation, the Ty Louis Campbell Foundation, the Pawling Resource Center, Pawling Free Library’s children programming, the Town of Pawling Recreation Department for scholarships to camp and after-school programming for needy children, the Pawling Fire Department, the Smith Johnson Scout Reservation, Pawling American Legion in support of its Boys State and Girls State leadership programs, the Pawling Chamber of Commerce in support of its holiday programming, and Gather Round the Table, Pawling’s newest 501c3 organization, working to provide meals at no cost to community families and individuals of limited means. Rotary also gave to Blue Path Service Dogs, which provides service pups specifically trained to assist children with autism; and Camp Sundown, providing camp experiences to children with severe sensitivity to sunlight.
Additionally, Pawling Rotary donated to the Rotary International Foundation, which endeavors to promote peace by supporting improved education and healthcare, promoting environment-saving practices, and alleviating poverty; Rotary’s Polio Plus, which seeks to eradicate polio worldwide; and Rotary’s Rotoplast International, providing surgery to children with cleft lip and palate conditions. Pawling Rotary also donated to Shelterbox USA, which provides temporary shelter to families displaced by natural and man-made disasters.
Louis Turpin, a former governor of Rotary District 7210, presented Pawling Rotary with a banner honoring its consistent support of ShelterBox USA, of which Mr. Turpin is an ambassador. He also presented Pawling Rotary with recognition from the Rotary Foundation honoring individual donations made to the Foundation by each and every member of the Pawling club this year.
Although Pawling Rotary’s annual holiday luncheon in December is the formal event at which the organizations listed above receive gifts and grants from the Club, Rotary provides support to students and organization in every season, including college scholarships and scholarships to Rotary’s leadership conference in June. During the 2023 calendar year, Pawling’s Rotary club delivered gifts, grants and scholarships topping $21,000.
The club gratefully acknowledges that its ability to provide this level of annual funding to children and families is dependent upon the generosity and goodwill of the Pawling community, whose sponsorships, journal advertisements, and event participation in support of our two annual fundraisers make these notable annual donations possible.
Information about the Pawling Rotary Club, its mission, events, and news may be found on its website: pawlingrotary.org.
Photos courtesy Laurie Spens Photography
