Welcome to the Rotary Club of Mineola-Garden City

Do you want to make positive changes in your community? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for service, professional and personal development, and fellowship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a broad-ranged group that shares your desire to give back and build community.

US Congresswoman Laura Gillen featured speaker at April 22 luncheon meeting

Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club was honored to host U.S. Congresswoman Laura Gillen as guest speaker at its lunch meeting on Tuesday April 22, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant. Rotary had hosted Congresswoman Gillen when she had served as Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead in 2017, and we were thrilled to welcome her back to report as she serves her first term in Congress representing the people of New York’s Fourth Congressional District which includes Nassau County’s South Shore.

In Congress, Rep. Gillen serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which she is expected to address in addition to major efforts to bring costs down. She also sits on Highways and Transit, Subcommittees on Aviation, on Water Resources and Environment plus the House Science, Space and Technology Committees.

In 2017, Congresswoman Gillen had become the first Democrat to be elected in 112 years. At that time, Congresswoman Gillen took aim at waste and corruption and made the Town government more accessible to taxpayers. As Supervisor, Congresswoman Gillen had led efforts to revitalize the Town’s infrastructure, brought taxes down for residents, took on special interests to recover damages for contaminants in the public water supply and passed critical legislation relating to sexual harassment and veterans’ benefits.

Educationally, Congresswoman Gillen had graduated from Sacred heart Academy and
was a George Baker Scholar at Georgetown University which impacted the direction of her life with its lessons of leadership and community service. She had volunteered on the front lines of the AIDS crisis and in Mother Teresa’s Home for the Dying in Kolkata. Upon returning home Congresswoman Gillen attended law school at Georgetown Law
Center and NYU School of Law, later working as a litigator with Cahill Gordon & Reidel, LLP where she represented victims of domestic violence. She later joined the Westerman firm in Nassau County. Congresswoman Laura Gillen is a Baldwin native and lives with her family in Rockville Centre.

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Rotary is celebrating Arbor Day with donated commemorative Linden tree - April 25

THIS WEEK AT ROTARY

as published in The Garden City News by Althea Robinson

Rotary Celebrates Garden City Arbor Day 2025
With Commemorative 100th Anniversary Tree Donation

Next Friday, April 25, at 2pm on the grounds of the Garden City Public Library, the
Village of Garden City will celebrate Arbor Day 2025 with the planting of a Linden Tree donated by the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club. Rotarians are particularly thrilled about the Arbor Day tree planting of a Linden tree this year because the tree is a donation to the Village in commemoration of the Club’s 100th anniversary.

For the 33 rd year, Garden City recently earned recognition as “Tree City USA” by the
Arbor Day Foundation which acknowledged the Village for its commitment to the planting, growing and maintenance of trees. The Village continually promotes the importance of trees to the environment and their benefit to our Garden City community. Village Arborist Joe Umana told Rotary representatives that 100 trees would be delivered to the Village this week to be put in the ground for growing this this spring and that the spring-summer planting season in Garden City is “good to go!”

The Arbor Day ceremony will take place on the west side of the library between two
benches near the library parking lot. Once grown, the Linden tree will provide much
appreciated shade while providing beautiful yellow flowers in the fall – complimenting Rotary’s colors of yellow and blue!

Everyone is invited to join with Village trustees, Andy Hill, Assistant Superintendent of
Recreation and Parks and Arborist Joe Umana along with Rotarians as Garden City celebrates both Arbor Day and Mineola-Garden City Rotary’s 100 th Anniversary.
Rotary extends sincere thanks to arborist Joe Umana for working with Rotarians on the
selection of the Linden tree, the planting location and the planning over many months for Arbor Day 2025.

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Epic Day of Service on May 17, 9 am to Noon, to benefit homeless veterans

"Every veteran deserves more than just our gratitude; they deserve the assurance of a life without hardship. Supporting their essential needs is the least we can do to demonstrate our thanks for their service." This project is a multi-club effort led by Freeport-Merrick which benefits General Needs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving veterans. The quote is from their website. The Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club is responsible for securing new bath towels and washcloths and then staffing a table with those items for a kit-building event on May 17 to create 240 duffle bags that will be distributed free of charge to homeless veterans and veterans in transition housing. We are sharing this responsibility with the Floral Park-Bellerose Rotary Club. Other items that are included in the duffle bags include: underwear, t-shirts, socks, and toiletries which will be secured by General Needs, Rotary Clubs of Freeport-Merrick, Southern Queens, South Queens, and Hempstead-Uniondale and Ridgewood Savings Bank. Mineola-Garden City Club President Diana O'Neill shared: My husband and I have recently participated in a distribution event organized by General Needs for male and female veterans temporarily housed on the grounds of a VA Hospital and the experience was both memorable and life changing. Being invited to the human condition touches the very depths of what drives genuine compassionate care."

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Recap of April 8 speaker, Kevin Mann, and important save the date announcements

10 of us gathered on April 8 at the Carle Place Diner and were treated to a thoughtful and heartfelt presentation by Kevin Mann, Rotary's Peace Ambassador for Rotary District 7255. Kevin, a 3-term president of the Rocky Point Rotary Club shared photos and examples of Peace Poles as monuments that display the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.” The Peace Pole to be donated by our Club to the Village of Mineola later in the Spring will carry that message in English along with 8 additional languages of the world and is referred to as an affirmation of peace intended to inspire unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. Rotary District 7255 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Peace Poles with an island-wide celebration on November 22, 2025. To check out a map of Rotary peace poles on Long Island and for more information, please visit rotarypeacepoles.world. For more infrormation about Peace Poles, contact Kevin Mann at 631-470-6351 or email kevinmannmail@gmail.com.

Diane Marmann spent the weekend at RYLA and thanked our Club for the donation which will help sustain essential work promoting youth especially the upcoming full week program which runs July 12-19. She is seeking youth nominations. Here is a link for more information: https://www.ryladistrict7255.com/.

This past Saturday, Althea, Tina and I attended Rotary District 7255 training events around Club management for secretaries and treasurers, membership, public image, and Rotary foundation. The training was thorough and professional plus it was so helpful to each of us to learn the ins and outs of our leadership positions! Things are starting to click for me!

May peace prevail on earth,

Diana

Diana O'Neill

President 2024-2025

Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club

P.O. Box 42

Garden City, NY 11530

mineolagardencityrotaryclub.com

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Important Announcements:

1. Join Rotary on Tuesday, April 22, 12:15 for its lunch meeting at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant featuring Congresswoman Laura Gillen, former Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. Congresswoman Gillen is serving her first term as Congresswoman on the House of Representatives where she serves the people of New York State’s Fourth District. Congresswoman Gillen currently serves on the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; she sits on sub committees of Highways, Transit, Aviation, on Water Resources and Environment plus the House of Science, Space and Technology. To reserve and enjoy a great lunch of choice in Davenport’s private dining room (fee: $40 payable at the door), email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com.

2. Jim Brady announced that RotaCare Caregiver's Ball is Thursday, April 10, at The New Hyde Park Inn at 6:30 pm. It's not too late to join in the festivities and support our Club's signature project. While the journal deadline has passed, many thanks to Meg Norris who created a full page congratulatory ad from our Club. Here is a link for more information: https://give.rotacareny.org/event/2025-caregivers-ball/e665328. Our Club's March service project was to support securing and creating raffle baskets for the Caregiver's Ball and a raffle wrap party was hosted by Joanne Meyer-Jendras which yielded a wide array of offerings. Many thanks to Elena Collahan, Diane Marmann, Ann Paulson, Jennifer Poupis Ferrara, Tina O'Keeffe, Diana O'Neill, and Althea Robinson who volunteered to lend a hand.

3. Althea Robinson's expertise as Club Public Image extraordinaire has garnered a very special Rotary gathering on Tuesday, April 22, 12:15 for its lunch meeting at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant featuring United States Congresswoman Laura Gillen, former Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead. Congresswoman Gillen is serving her first term at the House of Representatives where she serves the people of New York State’s Fourth District. Congresswoman Gillen currently serves on the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; she sits on sub committees of Highways, Transit, Aviation, on Water Resources and Environment plus the House of Science, Space and Technology. To reserve and enjoy a great lunch of choice in Davenport’s private dining room (fee: $40 payable at the door), email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com.

4. Thanks to Meg Norris, the Garden City News has been publicizing the Long Island Volunteer Center's Volunteer Fair at the Garden City Public Library on Wednesday, April 23 from 5:30 to 7 pm. Service projects around the Crayon Initiative and Kindness Cards will be conducted. Much appreciation to Jennifer Ferrara Poupis for bringing a bag full of used crayons to today's breakfast to donate. 18 tablers, including our Club, are already confirmed. What a perfect theme, National Volunteer Week, and a perfect venue, the Garden City Public Library to help others find a good fit to give back and build community. Any questions, please call 516-564-5482 or email info@longislandvolunteercenter.org.

5. Also, as Althea has reported, Garden City has once again earned the designation as “Tree City USA” and Rotary will gift to the Village an 8 ft. Linden tree to be planted at the Village Arbor Day celebration this April 25 on property just west of the Garden City Public Library. Historically, for several decades, a new tree has been planted on Village property in celebration of Arbor Day. Given Garden City’s longtime commitment to the planting, care and celebration of trees, Mineola-Garden City Rotary looks forward to having our 100th anniversary commemorative tree celebrated on Arbor Day 2025. Rotary thanks Village arborist Joe Umana for working with Rotary on the tree selection and placement coordination in conjunction with the Board and staff of the library.

6. Our April service project centers on the Club's scholarship program for graduating students from Mineola and Garden City high schools--stay tuned for more information from Joanne Meyer-Jendras.

7. Our May service project is a collaborative effort with several clubs led by Freeport-Merrick. We will gather at the Freeport High School Cafeteria on Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 am to Noon to create duffle bag/comfort kits for veterans served by General Needs. Our Club has been assigned bath towels and washcloths. Tables will be set up for each item that is inserted into the duffle bags. Banners are recommended behind the table to represent each club. There will be refreshments and a DJ and lots of politicos. Media will be invited. Promises to be a fun volunteer activity! I'll be posting the event on the Day of Service platform. Peter Marshall is taking the lead on volunteer recruitment.

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RotaCare Caregiver's Ball held April 10 at New Hyde Park Inn

Founded in 1992 by members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, RotaCare was created to serve the needs of the uninsured on Long Island. The mission of RotaCare is to facilitate free health care for the relief of pain and suffering to those who have the most need and the least access to medical care. For more information about program mission, hours of operation, how to volunteer, plus other details, access https://www.rotacareny.org/.

The Caregiver's Ball is an annual signature event celebrating RotaCare supporters, volunteers and corporate donors. If you could not attend the Ball you can still support its essential work to sustain programming: https://give.rotacareny.org/event/2025-caregivers-ball/e665328.

Exceptional honorees this year were:

**Francis Faustino, MD,MBA,FAAFP**
*Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, NYU Langone*

**Tom Crowley, CPCU, CRM, CIC**
Partner, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants
Immediate Past District Governor, Rotary District 7255 (GEO Long Island)

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THIS WEEK AT ROTARY published in the Garden City News

by Althea Robinson

Reserve Now for

RotaCare’s Annual Caregiver’s Ball

Founded in 1992 by the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, our Club continues to regard RotaCare as its signature project and is a major supporter of this essential service which provides free healthcare for the uninsured and people in need. This April, RotaCare cordially invites you to attend and join Rotary in support of its annual Caregiver’s Ball to be held on Thursday evening, April 10 at the elegant Inn at New Hyde Park. (Cocktails at 6:30pm, dinner at 730pm.) As in past years, this gala event promises to be a most memorable evening with many luminaries in attendance. A highlight will be the recognition of Dr. Francis Faustino, chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at NHYU Langone, along with Tom Crowley, the eminent immediate past district governor of Rotary District 7255 who also plans to acknowledge Mineola Garden City Rotary upon its 100 th anniversary this year. These remarkable gentlemen will be RotaCare’s honored recipients of its 2025 Community Achievement Award. RotaCare was born through the collaborative efforts of Rotary, local care professionals, area residents and an initial grant from the Grumman Corporation. A “MASH” team had been formed to operate weekly at the Mary Brennan INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) in Hempstead. As RotaCare evolved, more space was needed and in 2009, RotaCare had moved to the Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility in Uniondale where a staff of doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, clerical staff and translators volunteered and continue to give selflessly to help uninsured individuals and families receive access to vital health care services. For integral involvement and benefit to the community, RotaCare incorporated as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. In 2022, R0taCare was able to lease a new 2,500 sq. facility in Hempstead which houses modern equipment, specialized on-site testing, all the space and everything needed for 40 volunteers to provide needed excellent care to those in need. Please join Mineola-Garden City Rotary in support of RotaCare’s gala Caregivers Ball on April 10. Reserve now! Registration, Journal Ads and Raffle prizes can be purchased by visiting:

www.rotacareny.org. Questions: RotaCare.Events@gmail.com.

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Below is a letter sent to Club members on March 13:

We are thrilled to share some wonderful news—Tom Crowley, immediate past District Governor, and active member of the Hampton Bays Rotary Club, is being honored by RotaCare for his unwavering commitment to service and his dedication to making healthcare accessible for those in need. His heartfelt letter acknowledging this honor is attached. This is an incredible recognition of the values we, as Rotarians, hold dear--service above self, compassion, and community impact.

RotaCare’s mission, “to relieve pain and suffering of those in need” aligns seamlessly with Rotary’s core values. Every day, RotaCare provides life-saving medical care to individuals who have nowhere else to turn. But RotaCare can’t do it alone.

As you know, RotaCare is a signature project of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club having been founded and generously supported by Club members over the past 33 years. While researching the origin story of its creation, it was learned:

From Jim Brady*: “RotaCare continues to help people who fall through the cracks—a true stop-gap for the uninsured. It helps ease the burden on area hospitals which also means less burden on taxpayers. Back in the early days, I personally mopped the floor at The INN’s soup kitchen on Front Street in Hempstead, when right after lunch, the storefront was converted into a pop-up mash unit with exam tables and portable privacy screens. Rain or shine, the patients would line up outside and were given a numbered ticket. We did this on Mondays, after our Club meeting at Edmund’s Showcase. It was an all-volunteer effort, then and now.”

From Gary Fishberg*: “A doctor from Santa Clara, CA contacted Long Island leaders at the American Heart Association and at Rotary and then came here to introduce the RotaCare model to us. Early partnerships were formed at The INN, Nursing Sisters of the Sick Poor, Sisters from Mercy Hospital, and local doctors who over the years provided Medical Director services. Grumman gave us our first grant. Other money came from high level fundraising and outreach to additional sources for needed space enhancements and equipment. We’ve operated in a soup kitchen, a school gym locker room, a nursing home, the basement of a church and now in completely renovated, professional, modern, clinical space in a Hempstead office building. We have joined efforts with NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island Wish Clinic and have occasionally expanded days we are open. RotaCare is a real source of pride to me. We have never charged a penny to the thousands of people who have come through our doors.”

From Charles Pacifico*: "My role in the beginning stages was to do the legal work in forming the nonprofit corporation. Guys like Gary Fishberg and Jim Brady were the hands-on workers. They deserve a lot of the credit. The fact that programs like RotaCare and Gift of Life, both organized by Rotary leaders, are still around is something to be extremely proud of, definitely beyond the norm considering the all-volunteer roots."

From Althea Robinson: “It is my great pleasure to write articles that publicize RotaCare events for The Garden City News. It’s an important story to tell. The best people are involved—they are a delight to work with. I look forward to the Caregivers' Ball every year and so glad we have adopted event raffle gifts as our March service project to celebrate our Club’s centennial anniversary.”

From Helmut Schuler: “Maureen Clancy recruited me to Rotary and I was immediately drawn to RotaCare’s mission especially helping neighbors in need—charity right here at home. My good friend, Martin Lord and I volunteered to bring patients up from the lobby to the fourth floor clinic at A. Holly Patterson Extended Care Facility when it was located there. The individuals were so nice, so humble and so grateful—they made us feel good inside. It was a joy, not a job.”

From Ray Sikorski*: “I've always been impressed by the caliber of people associated with RotaCare--from the board, to clinical staff, to volunteers and to myriad supporters. The people served, a soft spot in my heart, makes me want to find ways to ensure its sustainability for another 33 years. What an honor to provide printing services for special events to help spread the word. AND as a Rotarian, I couldn't be happier that service above self is mission imperative."

To celebrate Tom and support this vital work, we are asking for your help. This is a moment for us to come together for one of our own and support a cause that truly embodies the spirit of service. We hope you’ll join us in making this a special night for Tom and an impactful evening for RotaCare.

You can contribute in one of the following ways:

Attend the event – Join us by purchasing a ticket and being part of this special evening!

Place a journal ad – Acknowledge Tom’s contributions and show your Rotary pride in a journal ad!

Purchase a raffle ticket – Can’t attend, this is a win-win way to contribute!

[For more details access: https://www.rotacareny.org/events/2025caregiversball.]

Thank you for all that you do as a treasured member of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club,

Diana O’Neill Meg Norris* Diane Marmann* Joanne Meyer-Jendras*

President Vice President Treasurer/ADD Scholarship/Service Projects

*Past President

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Shannon Boyle, New Ground, featured presenter at March 25 luncheon meeting

At today's Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club luncheon meeting, 9 members were treated to an exciting programming update from New Ground's Executive Director Shannon Boyle which resulted in our 100th anniversary calendar of service expanded to include creating school supply backpacks for families of veterans they serve moving into affordable housing units in Patchogue this summer. Rounding out our discussions today were announcements about the upcoming RotaCare April 10 Caregiver's Ball, our anniversary gifts to Mineola (Peace Pole) and Garden City (Linden tree), and upcoming high level speakers. We also heard feedback from the Mineola Chamber of Commerce meeting last week which allowed us to thank them for support of our December 18 dinner as well as a recap of Rotary leadership training this past weekend to help perfect our methods and processes. As one member exclaimed, "we are in a good place."

[Pictured at the March 25 lunch meeting, from left, are Diana O'Neill, Club president; Shannon Boyle, New Ground's guest speaker; Althea Robinson, publicity chair and Randy Colahan, 2024 Rotary Community Service Award recipient and board member of the Garden City Public Library, site of Rotary's tree donation to the Village in commemoration of its 100th anniversary. The planting will take place on Arbor Day, April 25.]

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THIS WEEK AT ROTARY published in the Garden City News

by Althea Robinson

Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness on LI
Topic of New Ground’s Exec. Director

Last Tuesday, March 25, Shannon Boyle, LCSW, Executive Director of the New Ground
organization, returned to report to our Club on New Ground’s most current developments in the organization’s mission to provide social work and educational services that work with families and veterans to break the cycle of homelessness on Long Island. It has been a thrill for Mineola-Garden City to often hear from Shannon Boyle of the incredible evolvement of New Ground’s efforts and successes throughout the course of development since its founding in 1991.

We were happy, last Tuesday, to hear Shannon enthusiastically describe Grove, the new
affordable housing facility which will open this June in Patchogue and provide for families of various income levels. At the helm of all programs and services at New Ground since 2013, Shannon shared hers and the New Ground Staff’s excitement at the opening of Grove, the ongoing expansion of New Ground and the opportunity to further carry out its mission to break the cycle of homelessness on Long Island.

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THIS WEEK AT ROTARY published in the Garden City News

by Althea Robinson

New Ground’s Shannon Boyle, LCSW, To Speak

Next Tuesday, March 25, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant, Mineola-Garden City Rotary will be so pleased to welcome back Shannon Boyle, LCSW, Executive Director of New Ground, the charitable organization that provides social work and educational services that work with families and veterans to help break the cycle of homelessness on Long Island.

Shannon, who holds her MSW from Boston College has returned to Rotary several times over the years to report the current efforts and achievements of New Ground throughout the years since its founding in 1991. Rotary supports New Ground having held a successful food drive to help fulfill one of its current needs. New Ground maintains that the key to break the cycle of homelessness is not only to provide short-time assistance to homeless families and veterans, but also to work at eliminating its root causes so those individuals can become and remain self-supporting. For those who so dearly need assistance, New Ground provides services in finances, education, employment and more, while searching and ultimately securing permanent and stable housing.

In addition to obtaining her MSW from Boston College School of Social Work, Shannon Boyle went on to receive a B.A. from Boston College as Sociology Major and Women’s Studies Minor in the Pre-Medicine Program. She had achieved honors to include Magna Cum Laude, Deans List, Senior Honors Thesis, and has maintained her designation of NY State Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2013 and served as Executive Director of New Ground since then. Included in Shannon’s functions are to oversee and supervise all programs and services; supervise all staff including Master Level social workers, front office and development; to maintain liaison with the public and Board of Directors; to ensure and develop appropriate budgets, human resource practices, social work services, public relations, fundraising and more. And, knowing Shannon over the years, Rotary can attest to the “more!”

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Mark your calendars for upcoming gatherings:

April 8 – Rotarian Kevin Mann, Peace Pole Coordinator, at a breakfast meeting at the Carle Place Diner at 8 am to plan for 100th anniversary gift to Village of Mineola

April 10 - RotaCare Caregiver's Ball at the Inn at New Hyde Park, 6:30 to 10:30 pm (to secure tickets and for more information access https://give.rotacareny.org/event/2025-caregivers-ball/e665328)

April 17 - 4 pm zoom meeting of the 100th anniversary committee

April 22 – Congresswoman Laura Gillen, US House of Representatives, guest luncheon speaker at the club luncheon meeting at Davenport Press at 12:15 pm

April 23 - Volunteer Fair at the Garden City Public Library, 5:30 to 7 pm (Rotary Club plus over 20 other community based organizations tabling at event)

April 25 - Tree planting in honor of Arbor Day - 100th anniversary gift to Village of Garden City

May 13 - Club meeting speaker and location to be determined

May 17 - Rotary Day of Service (logistics being arranged) to create comfort kits for veterans organized by General Needs

May 27 - Club meeting speaker and location to be determined

Save the Date

Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club - “Service Above Self.” Help Celebrate 100th Year Anniversary at its Holiday and Community Awards Dinner, December 17, Stewart Manor Country Club.

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Garden City News launches new column "The Joy of Giving" by Cecelia Renz

Empowering Young Leaders & Serving the Community:

Join the Mineola- Garden City Rotary Club

Would you like to make a difference in our community? Are you eager to collaborate with people who share a passion for service? For 100 years, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club has been at the forefront of local and global humanitarian efforts, and now, we invite student volunteers to be part of this legacy.

As part of the world’s largest organization, 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries, the Rotary Club connects dedicated and talented volunteer leaders to tackle pressing local and global problems. The Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, unites students, business professionals, and residents who are driven to serve others. Student volunteers play a crucial role in our mission, contributing fresh ideas, energy, and leadership to projects that impact neighbors locally and internationally.

Founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris in Chicago, the Rotary Club began as a space for professionals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. Today, that mission has expanded to address critical issues concerning the environment, health, hunger, homelessness, special needs, and veterans. The Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club is also deeply committed to empowering young leaders and supporting the local community.

Through the Rotary Youth Leadership Program, students gain hands-on experience in leadership and service, preparing them to make a meaningful impact. The club also partners with the Salvation Army, ringing the bell during the holiday seasons to support those in need. Additionally, members take part in the Alford family Thanksgiving Program, ensuring homebound seniors and families receive warm meals during the holidays.

Guided by the motto, “Service Above Self”, Rotarians encourage high ethical standards in all vocations while fostering goodwill and peace. The Mineola-Garden City Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month hosting thought leaders from government, local businesses, professional services, healthcare providers, emergency management, and community-based organizations. These meetings help shape the initiatives and provide invaluable networking opportunities for student volunteers to grow as leaders.

Join us as we celebrate 100 years of service and shape the next century. As a student volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to develop leadership skills, make meaningful connections, and impact our community. For more information on how to get involved, visit https://mineolagardencityrotaryclub.com or email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com.

[Cecilia Renz is a current sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy and a member of the Long Island Volunteer Center's Youth Advisory Board.]

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March 11 Meeting featured Rotarian Tina O'Keeffe on Peace Corps experiences

10 members, and a special guest, were treated to an inspiring talk today by fellow Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club member, Tina O'Keeffe about her experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer. From 2002-2004, she and her husband Tom were assigned to the Economic Development Program in Ukraine. During her tenure at the Lviv Employment Center, Tina helped open the first youth hostel in Lviv where she wrote and published an internet training manual still in existing today, secured grants and founded a youth Leadership Program also still in existence. Tom worked at the Lviv Credit Union, the Ukrainian Catholic University and helped start their Non-Profit Management Program which continues to flourish as part of the UCU Institute of Leadership and Management. Tina and Tom visited dozens of Ukrainian cities learning about their culture and history. They also visited many other countries such as Russia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Spain, the UK and Egypt – a multi-country Peace Corps adventure! She gave us insights to impressive statistics about the Peace Corps (see peacecorps.gov for more information), how to become a volunteer, the orientation/training process when selected, how immersion in the culture and living with a host family enriched her life, and how applying her gifts and work experience helped build community.

Message from Tina recapping her presentation emailed to Club members:

Dear Members of the Mineola Garden City Rotary Club,

Thank you to those that attended the luncheon on March 11th where I was able to share some stories about my Peace Corps experience in Ukraine from 2003-05.

February 23 to March 1, 2025 was Peace Corps Week and returned volunteers are encouraged to share their experiences during that time with their communities. The theme this year was "Tales of Transformation".

I believe any service we do, big or small, changes us for the better which is why we are all involved in Rotary. So I hope in our 100th year we can continue to transform the world around us with the great works we do.

I am enclosing a link to the presentation. Members are very welcome to share this public link which includes facts about Peace Corps, Peace Corps in Ukraine and some photos of my experience. If you have any issues accessing the presentation, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Warm regards,

Tina O'Keeffe, RPCV 2003-05 Ukraine

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M7rwpmR_10wHfzVRig0JNjkdcA5OxB_B/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114100421746141438594&rtpof=true&sd=true

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February 25 meeting featured Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre

Nine members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary were pleased to welcome as guest speaker, John J. Giuffre, Nassau County Legislator, who works on behalf of District 8 to draft and approve local laws that affect the county and its residents. His impressive resume is below. He was very enthusiastic in his comments relaying some important statistics about the health of Nassau County, continual efforts to achieve a balanced budget without raising taxes, and the focus on projects not programs. He reported that Niche just published that Nassau County was the number one best county to live in New York (https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/c/nassau-county-ny/). He was responsive to questions that concerned the Sands Casino proposal, the increases to the County's legal budget, what constituents express as their biggest concerns, and his personal mission to advocate for and ensure resident safety. He recounted a heartfelt story about the challenges to secure a light at a high traffic intersection in West Hempstead after a young boy was accidentally killed by a motorist. Rotarian Randy Colahan thanked him for his support for funding for the Garden City Public Library and Legislator Giuffre also promised to support our drive for the Rotary Day of Service that will benefit veterans in transitional housing by installing a drop off bin in the lobby of the Legislature Building. A professional photographer was dispatched by the County to cover the meeting so we took a group shot as a memory marker for our 100th anniversary!

From Garden City News "This Week at Rotary" by Althea Robinson:

Elected to the NC Legislature in January of 2021, professionally, John Giuffre owns and founded Giuffre Law Offices, P.C. in Stewart Manor, NY. He earned his law degree, cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he served as an editor of the Journal of International Business Law. John was admitted to the New York Bar in 1988 and is admitted to practice in Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as well as the Federal courts in New York City and Long Island. He is a sustaining member of the Nassau County Bar Association where he serves on the Ethics Committee. John is running on the Republican and Conservative Party lines. John Giuffre is dedicated to the community where he serves on the Zoning Board, teaches Sunday School, and is active in the local business community as a member of the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, and both the Covert Avenue and New Hyde Park Chambers. At the height of the Pandemic, Giuffre was busy serving his clients, keeping his law firm going and studying the laws and regulations for the various government relief programs to help small businesses and the self-employed survive. John and his wife Lauren have an adult son and daughter and live in the Village of Stewart Manor.

[Photo from meeting are pictured with guest speaker, NC Legislator John Giuffre, on February 25. Seated from left: Meg Norris, Vice President; Tina O’Keeffe secretary; Diana O’Neill, President and Althea Robinson, Publicity Chair. Standing from left: Randy Colahan, CSA Honoree; Martin Lord, Sergeant at Arms; Diane Marmann, Treasurer/Past President & AG; NC Legislator John Giuffre; Joanne Meyer-Jendras Scholarship/Service Projects Chair and Jim Brady, Membership & Past President.]

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Garden City Public Library News announces crayon collection drive

Crayon Initiative

The Garden City Public Library is participating in the Crayon Initiative by hosting a crayon-collection box at the front counter to collect and recycle crayons, in partnership with Rotary Club and Lions International. The initiative was the creation of Bryan Ware of Danville, California, in 2016. Through volunteers, he is collecting crayon pieces, melting them, and re-manufacturing them into larger, bright, clean, paper-free crayons and sending them free of charge to children in hospitals nationwide. Being larger and three-sided, they are easier for children to grip and won’t roll off the hospital bed trays.

On Long Island, they are being sent to The Children’s Medical Center at NYU Langone Hospital, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital, and St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children.

The Crayon Initiative, to date, has collected and kept more than 381,000 pounds of crayons out of landfills and donated more than 863,800 packs of crayons to over 250 hospitals across the U.S. Residents are encouraged to donate today!

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2/11 meeting featured General Needs co-founders Lonnie and Susan Sherman

On Tuesday, February 11, at Mineola’s Davenport Press Restaurant, 8 members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club welcomed back as guest speakers, Lonnie and Susan Sherman, veteran advocates and co-founders of General Needs, an independent all-volunteer nonprofit organization themed “serving veterans with dignity and care.”

To celebrate Rotary’s 100^th anniversary this year, part of its planning is to conduct a service project for each month of 2025. In January we collected an abundant supply of toiletry products to benefit MOMMAS HOUSE which provides housing and support service for young mothers and their families. For the month of February, Rotary is collecting cleaning products to benefit General Needs which provides support to veterans in transitional housing to independent living. Once the drive is concluded, we have been invited to their warehouse in East Northport to create the welcome kits.

Rotarians brought to yesterday's lunch meeting (and can still bring to the lunch meeting on February 25 or drop off to Meg Norris at the Garden City News, 821 Franklin Avenue, Suite 208 until the end of the month), donations of the following supplies:

Utility Bucket (5 gallon) @ Home Depot
Sponge Mop
Floor Cleaner
Broom/Dustpan
Toilet bowl brush/holder/cleaner
All surface cleaner/cleaning gloves
Sponges
Dishwashing Liquid

Lonnie and Susan Sherman co-founded General Needs in 2008. Over the years, General Needs has expanded to support veterans in myriad ways including distribution of coats, boots, work uniforms, pillows, blankets, beds, and welcome kits through collection drives. They instituted a weekly meals program during the pandemic, and created a student volunteer program and a dental program. Their gala is scheduled for Friday, June 20, at 6:30 pm at Leonard's Palazzo in Great Neck honoring Ralph Esposito, Director of Nassau County Veteran's Service Agency, and Arnold Quaranta Jr. of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club. General Needs continues to serve as a signature project of Rotary District 7255. The Shermans are also active members of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club.

Announcements to share:

Many thanks to Althea Robinson who secured Nassau Count Legislator John Giuffre for our luncheon guest speaker on February 25 at the Davenport Press
Much appreciation to Diane Marmann who announced the Super Bowl raffle winners: Janet Pacifico (Diane's stepmother who won the final and is donating $200 back to us), and Bob Bonagura and Jimmy Karakankis (who won 1st and 2nd half prizes). We raised $1,200.00 toward our scholarship program!
Our March service project will be a drive for raffle basket gifts to support Joanne Meyer-Jendras who organizes that effort for the RotaCare CareGiver's Ball scheduled for April 10 at the New Hyde Park Inn. Volunteers will be needed for a raffle wrap party to be announced!
Our April service project will be to support our high school scholarship program also coordinated by Joanne. In addition, there will be a volunteer fair at the Garden City Public Library on April 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in celebration of National Volunteer Week and Rotarians invited to table and to volunteer for set-up/break-down.
Our May Rotary Day of Service project will be a collaborative hands-on multi-Rotary Club effort to create comfort kits for Long Island Cares on May 17. Logistics and project details are forthcoming.
There is one reservation available for the Rotary table for the Kiwanis Club of Garden City March 13 St. Patrick's Day luncheon .
The 100th anniversary planning committee meeting is via zoom on Thursday, February 13 at 3 pm.

Happy Random Acts of Kindness Week,

Diana

Diana O'Neill

President 2024-2025

Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club

mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com

mineolagardencityrotaryclub.com

[Left to right in photo: Past President Peter Marshall (acknowledged by the Shermans as an original volunteer for General Needs), Publicity Chair Althea Robinson, General Needs co-founders Lonnie and Susan Sherman, and President Diana O'Neill.]

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January 28 Breakfast Meeting featured speaker, John Wilton

As January winds down, we were pleased to hold our first breakfast meeting of the new year on January 28 at 8 a.m. at the Carle Place Diner, 151 Old Country Road, northeast corner of Old Country and Glen Cove Roads. 12 members attended.

Thanks to publicity chair, Althea Robinson, we were equally pleased to welcome as guest speaker John Wilton, President of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and long time chairman of the Chamber's Merchants Group. John reports bi-weekly at Village Board of Trustees meetings and currently, reported on the more than a few openings, closings plus moving to new locations of long time retail establishments. With his finger on the pulse of the business community, he shared in-depth details about the health of Village businesses and we all left with great hope about developmental progress and the future of our community! Plus his enthusiasm for all things Garden City with honest assessments of the way things are kept the discussion lively! We also explored the difficulties of recruiting members as well as attracting volunteers to support activities which makes sustainability challenging to all service organizations.

Reminding all to mark Rotary's 100th anniversary our Club plans a variety of service projects for each month throughout 2025 culminating in our grand l00th anniversary celebration set for Wednesday evening, December 17 at the Stewart Manor Country Club.

For January, we collected toiletries for MOMMA'S House, a non-profit which provides housing and support for young mothers and their children. Donations of new or unopened toiletries such as baby grooming kits and health care items plus lotion and body wash for sensitive skin were collected.

For our February project, we will collect cleaning products for Lonnie Sherman's General Needs nonprofit that serves veterans in transitional housing.

We also discussed:

Super Bowl pool to benefit our scholarship program
Support of the Kiwanis Club of Garden City's upcoming St. Patrick's luncheon scheduled for March 13

[From left in photo: Rotary member Dr. Ben Cohen, guest speaker John Wilton, past president Jennifer Ferrara-Poupis, and publicity chair Althea Robinson.]

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First luncheon meeting of the new year held on January 14 featured arborist

Thirteen members attended the Mineola-Garden City Rotary’s first lunch meeting of 2025 on Tuesday, January 14, at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant and were treated to enthusiastic guest speaker, Joseph Umana, Garden City Village arborist. The importance of maintaining Garden City’s treelined streets, recognizing the environmental benefits, and working to increase our overall tree canopy is the aim of the new Tree Policy recently unanimously passed by the Village Board of Trustees and Joe will have an integral part in this on-going process.

Joe began working with the Recreation and Parks Department with the task to address the Village tree situation and to work with Andy Hill of the Parks Department along with the in-house Village planting crew. Acknowledged to have a passion for trees, Joe will speak on his first year as Village arborist – issues found and corrected, initiatives, policy and what the future holds for horticulture in Garden City. Born and raised on Long Island, Joe started his work in the landscaping horticulture field while in high school at Kellenberg Memorial, Uniondale. He attended the University of Delaware where he graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor’s in Plant Science and Horticulture with a concentration in Landscaping Design. After graduating, Joe attended Walt Disney’s professional internship program in Orlando, Florida. After Disney, Joe returned home to Long Island and studied to pass the Certified Nursery Landscape Professional, the ISA Certified Arborist Exam and the Municipal Specialist Arborist Exam. Joe started his career with the Village as arborist in January 2024.

[Above excerpted from Althea Robinson's This Week in Rotary published in the January 3 issue of the Garden City News.]

Also discussed at the meeting:

Recap of successful December 18 Holiday Dinner and Community Service Awards Celebration
Plans to secure a tree to donate to the Village to commemorate our 100th anniversary
Superbowl pool
Efforts to support RotaCare's Caregiver's Ball on April 10
January toiletry drive to benefit MOMMAS House
February household goods/cleaning product drive to benefit General Needs

In addition, we welcomed two representatives of the Central Nassau Rotary Club who presented their club flag to us.

Next meeting will be a breakfast gathering at 8 am at the Carle Place Diner featuring guest speaker John Wilton, President of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce.

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Holiday Dinner/Community Service Award Celebration held December 18

This Spring 2025, The Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club is going to be 100 years old!

As a prelude to year-long planned activities, we celebrated the launch of this impressive milestone with a holiday-themed Community Service Award Dinner on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at the Stewart Manor Country Club from 6 to 10 pm. 124 guests enjoyed the festivities including 16 Rotarians!

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Rotary's Community Service Award to two exceptional civic-minded individuals who embody the ideals of Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self." Our honorees were Mineola Mayor Paul Pereira and Garden City Public Library Trustees Chair Randy Colahan who were feted for extraordinary service to both the Mineola and Garden City communities.

The evening began with a cocktail hour that included open bar and featured a special performance by the renowned Garden City High School Chamber Orchestra directed by Andrew Albani. An elegant buffet dinner followed in the holiday themed ball room. An array of 32 raffle gift baskets and two silent auction prizes benefited Rotary's myriad services and good works. And returning to officiate at emcee was our affable Rotarian Ray Sikorski, past president and past Community Service Award recipient.

It was such a special event as we came together to spread holiday cheer and experience the true joy of giving back!

Please email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com with any feedback. See the QR code in the digital invitation to the right (or below) to make a donation to help support programming.

Many thanks to planning committee members James Brady, Kimberly Carlstrom, Jennifer Ferrara-Poupis, Diane Marmann, Joanne Meyer-Jendras, Meg Norris, Tina O'Keeffe, Diana O'Neill, Katherine Perrera, Althea Robinson and Ray Sikorski.

General Impressions of what worked with input from committee members:

Event was a great success—picture perfect in every way.
Committee operated as a team and were very organized and supportive of each other.
There was a lot of synergy and heart & soul evident with happy feelings throughout.
Great vibe in the room.
Honorees were so special and the individuals who introduced the honorees gave inspiring remarks.
Venue was amazing—food, décor, staff, and servers.
Musicians were wonderful.
Event set a trend for a rebirth of Rotary.

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QR Code to make a donation to support our 100th year anniversary

The December 18 Holiday/Community Service Awards Event has happened but donations are still welcome to help advance our reach and impact! Use this QR code to make a donation. Thank you for your support of our 100th anniversary year and a century of service!

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Thank you to ad takers and raffle prize donators for December 18 event

Ads for printed program to celebrate event and honorees:

Adelphi University

Brosnan & Associates, LLP

Daniel Gale Sotheby's International Realty

Garden City Public Library

Hengstenberg's Florist

Incorporated Village of Mineola

Kilburn Road Friends of Randy Colahan

Kiwanis Club of Garden City

Law Office of Diane Pacifico Marmann

Deb & Tom Long

Long Island Volunteer Center

Mary Maguire

Mineola Chamber of Commerce

Dr. & Mrs. Peter O'Neill

Diana & Jack Pascal

Paul LeSueur Legacy Foundation

RotaCare

RTS Print Services

Scott Perrin, The Event Office

Schroder & Strom, LLP

Mary & Francis Tierney

Tsontos Furs of Mineola

Unicorn Graphics

Raffle prize donations from local businesses & organizations:

Ambiance Beauty

Ambiance Salon

Angelo & Co.

Bagel Boss East

Beverage Barn

Bileddo's Key Food Marketplace

CheerWare

Cultural Arts Playhouse

Duck Donuts

Garden City Chamber of Commerce

Garden City Pizza

Iavarone Bros.

Robert Mehran, Jr., Esq.

New Ground

Pantano's Bagels

Repeal

Revel

Salon Aqua

Salvation Army

Seventh Street Cafe

Stow and Behold

Taku Sushi/Asian Fusion

Tsontos Furs

Raffle prize donations from Rotary Club members:

Arthur Anderson

James Brady

Randy Colahan

Jennifer Ferrara-Poupis

Diane Marmann

Joanne Meyer-Jendras

Tina O'Keeffe

Diana O'Neill

Katherine Perrera

Althea Robinson

Cash donations:

Patricia Force

Anita Frey

Kiwanis Club of Garden City

Martin Lord

Ann Paulson

Leo Stimmler

Matching Happy Bucks for RotaCare:

Jim Brady

Gary Fishberg

Tom Gelsdorf

Ray Sikorski
Helmut Schuler

Other in-kind:

Kimberly Carlstrom, graphics for invitation

Garden City High School Chamber Orchestra, event entertainment

Garden City News, event publicity and underwriting ad commissions

Mineola-Williston Times, event publicity

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, proclamations

Nassau County Legislator John Giuffre, proclamations

Dr. & Mrs. Peter O'Neill, copying, signage, postage

Ray Sikorski, invitations, programs ads, and event emcee

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Annual Bell Ringing for Salvation Army's Hempstead Corps held December 7

Each year during the Holiday Season, it is the tradition of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club to assist with the Hempstead Corps Salvation Army’s Bell Ring project. This year's event was held Saturday, December 7 at the back entrance to Kings Supermarket in Garden City from 9 am to 4 pm. Rotary volunteers were assisted by Scouts sponsored by St. Joseph's Church. Dedicated to doing the most good for men, women and children in need, the Salvation Army of Greater New York serves more than 600,000 New Yorkers each year in over 140 community and social service programs. The organization also provides Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance in addition to serving food pantries, emergency rent programs and medical expenses for people in need throughout Nassau County. The Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club includes its annual bell ringing to assist the Salvation Army as one of its many service projects and thanks Key Food for allowing the Club to ring the bells outside its store. Long time project chairperson Rotarian Bob Schoelle thanks the many Garden City residents for their on-going support. He was assisted this year by fellow Rotarian Randy Colahan who is learning the ropes for future events. The new Corps leaders, Major Silvia and Captain Luis Ocasio, were our special guest speakers at our November 19 breakfast meeting at 8 am at the Carle Place Diner to promote the kettle/bell ring program!

Bob expressed his appreciation for the stalwart volunteers ringing the bell who braved the freezing temperature to support Salvation Army (in order of shifts): Randy Colahan, Bob Schoelle, DJ McDonough, Diana & Pete O'Neill, Jim Brady, Althea Robinson, Diane Marmann, Meg Norris, and Joanne Meyer-Jendras. Boy Scouts were sprinkled into the mix which was a wonderful draw because who could say no to such youthful philanthropists? AND playing the accordion from the Salvation Army Greater New York, was our dear friend Stephen Ditmer, who attended our last breakfast meeting held November 19 supporting the Hempstead Corps speakers and was recruited by Althea for a musical interlude!

This is a Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club treasured event that helps a neighboring community organization that strives to "do the most good." What a great way for us to kick off the season of giving! Thanks to each Rotarian for stepping up!

In featured photo, from left, Eagle Scout John Sievers, Webelos Arrow of Light William Sievers, Rotarians Bob Schoelle and Randy Colahan, and Long Island Volunteer Center Youth Advisory Board member DJ McDonough (Bob Schoelle's grandson).

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Guide to Garden City included tribute to Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club

DID YOU KNOW THAT ROTARY IS THE

WORLD’S LARGEST SERVICE ORGANIZATION?

Rotary is made up of business and professional and community leaders with 34,000 clubs throughout the world. Incorporated in 1915, today, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club welcomes as members individual businesses, corporations, schools, houses of worship and Garden City residents. Join us! Mineola-Garden City Rotary holds lunch meetings on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 12:15 through the year in a private dining room at Davenport Press Restaurant in Mineola. Occasional breakfast meetings are held at the Carle Place Diner, Carle Place. The Club continues to feature noteworthy speakers from a cross-section of the professions. With its motto, “Service Above Self,” all Rotary clubs focus on various services which impact their respective communities and beyond. Mineola-Garden City Rotary will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2025. For more information, to join Rotary, or register for an event please contact Diana O’Neill, president, at 516-699-7289 or email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com.

MINEOLA-GARDEN CITY ROTARY CLUB SERVES

THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND

• ROTACARE: Created by the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club in 1992, RotaCare provides free medical care for those In need.
• GIFT OF LIFE: Provides life-saving cardiac surgery for children around the world who would otherwise not survive.
• POLIO: has participated in successful efforts to eradicate Polio throughout the world.

• SCHOLARSHIPS: Annual scholarships are awarded to a graduating, qualifying senior from both Garden City and Mineola High Schools.
• RYLA: Club supports the Rotary Youth Leadership Program (RYLA), along with the Youth Exchange Program of Rotary District 7255.
• SALVATION ARMY: Rotary volunteers ring the bell each holiday season for contributions towards the Army’s good works.
• GENERAL NEEDS – Helps thousands of Long Island Veterans and their families by
providing basic necessities and beyond.
• NEW GROUND – Supports projects such as food drives, student needs in an effort to break the cycle of homelessness on Long Island.
• FOOD/CLOTHING/SCHOOL SUPPLY/BOOK DRIVES: to benefit New Ground, Faith Mission, The INN and For the Love of Pete’s Pantry, and Book Fairies
• ROTARY FOUNDATION – Supports efforts which provides mini grants to assist Rotary Club projects and supports international charitable and educational programs.
• CAMP PAQUATUCK - Supports this special camp for children with special needs.
• SUPPORTS ANNUAL ALFORD FAMILY THANKSGIVING DAY PROGRAM for
homebound senior citizens and those in need.
• INTERACT: Rotary-sponsored service club for young people, ages 14-18. Object: to develop meaningful service projects and leadership skills.
• AWARDS – “Community Service Award” presented annually to deserving individuals or organizations.
• MASK PROJECT: Distributed 10,000 masks to various charitable organizations during the Covid-19 Pandemic, and distributed signs to support first responders.

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Thank you from The Alford's for Rotary donation for Thanksgiving program

It's the kick-off to the giving season and the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club was honored to help feed 240 people across Long Island through the impact of a 29 year-old project founded by the Alford Family. Their thank you letter warms the heart! Click on the link below to read a Newsday feature article about Tim Alford with more project details.

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Kiwanis Club of Garden City hosted Rotary at November 21 meeting

On behalf of Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, Althea Robinson and Diana O'Neill attended the Kiwanis Club of Garden City general meeting to share information about Rotary and to thank club members for securing a table at our December 18 holiday & community service awards event. From left is current Kiwanis President Patrick Curry, Mineola-Garden City Rotary President Diana O'Neill, Rotary Public Image Althea Robinson and Kiwanis immediate past president Roger Eltringham. It was a very enjoyable gathering filled with laughter and genuine camaraderie for the 17 attendees at the newly renovated Tap Room in Garden City. The agenda included: recap of recent and upcoming Kiwanis service projects, a reflection on Rule 22 of George Washington's Book on Civility, brainstorming around a joint service project scheduled for next September, and a boisterous round of happy dollars. Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs have much in common--sincere desire to serve community and strong streak of patriotism.

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Rotary breakfast meeting held Tuesday November 19 featured Salvation Army

On Tuesday, November 19th, at 8 am, the 3rd breakfast meeting of the season, was held at the Carle Place Diner, 151 Old Country Road Carle Place. The Mineola-Garden City Rotary were delighted to host as guest speakers, Major Silvia Machado-Ocasio, Commanding Officer along with Luis Ocasio, Captain of the Salvation Army’s Hempstead Corps and Community Center, Nassau County.

Major Silvia and Captain Luis’ talks were most apropos since members of our Club, assisted by Troop 48 Scouts from St. Joseph’s Church, will be ringing the bells to assist the Army’s efforts on December 7 at the back entrance to Kings Market, and Captain Luis is in charge of all the Red Kettle project activities. Captain Luis Ocasio and Major Silvia Machado-Ocasio arrived in Hempstead this past June. Having been an officer for 30 years Major Silvia has served in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, the College for Officer Training (The Salvation Army’s Seminary) and most recently in East Harlem. Captain Luis has served in upstate New York, the College for Officer Training, two locations here in Long Island and most recently in East Harlem. Having been in Hempstead for three years as an assistant officer, Captain Luis says that he is now looking forward to reconnecting with that beautiful community. Major Silvia is looking forward to establishing relationships and partnering with community leaders to serve those in need. They note that both love people and consider it a privilege to be able to serve others and share the gospel with them.

Dedicated to doing the most good for men, women and children who need it most, the Salvation Army of Greater New York serves more than 600,000 New Yorkers each year with more than 140 community and social service programs. The Army also provides Thanksgiving and Christmas assistance in addition to serving food pantries, emergency rent programs and medical expenses for people in need throughout Nassau County.

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Mutual assistance to local Rotary Club for holiday projects

The Rotary Club of Williston Park reached out in November for support of their community service projects and the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club enthusiastically responded since one benefited families at the Mineola-based Jackson Avenue School and the other assisted homeless men at The INN. Their thank you letter speaks volumes about impact!

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Election Day Food Drive held to benefit The INN

On November 5, 2024, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club held a major food drive to benefit the mission of the 41-year-old Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen. Over the years, The INN has grown to become the largest private social service agency of its kind on Long Island. Thirteen Rotary volunteers turned out both in front, and at the back entrance of Bileddo’s Key Food Market in the heart of Seventh Street Garden City, to collect non-perishable food items to benefit the efforts of the INN. Three hundred and one food items were collected from generous Garden City shoppers that filled 32 huge bags of food, all weighing 292 pounds. The Mission of the INN as a not-for-profit volunteer-based organization, is to provide a broad variety of essential services to assist those challenged by hunger, homelessness and profound poverty. Its single principle – that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. Mineola-Garden City Rotary thanks Rotary volunteers: James Brady, Bob Bonagura, Elena and Randy Colahan, Lynne Maimone Koszalka, Diane Marmann, Peter Marshall, Meg Norris, Tina O’Keefe, Katherine Perrera, Althea Robinson, and especially organizers, Joanne Meyer-Jendras and Diana O’Neill. Rotary is also grateful to the management of Bileddo’s Key Food market for assisting Rotary toward this major effort.

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Meet our signature project - RotaCare

Founded in 1992 by members of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club, RotaCare was created to serve the needs of the uninsured on Long Island. The mission of RotaCare is to facilitate free health care for the relief of pain and suffering to those who have the most need and the least access to medical care.

Our patients are among the 28 million people in this country without health insurance. Many are earning a modest living in service jobs such as landscaping or cleaning service that do not provide any benefits. They cannot afford health insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid or other government programs, so they are left with little or no access to care.

RotaCare saves lives by providing early intervention and disease management for individuals with chronic conditions. Many clients would end up in the emergency room with much more serious health problems if RotaCare were not present in the community. Our patients are able to avoid a trip to the hospital by managing their health; and are therefore able to continue working and caring for their families. This not only eases the stress on our patients, it also reduces the strain on our local hospitals.

RotaCare is run entirely by a rotating staff of 100 volunteer physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, translators and administrative staff. We care for approximately 800 patients each year with a total of over 2,000 visits to our facility.

RotaCare also facilitates access to needed prescription medications to our patients. Through the tireless efforts of our volunteers, RotaCare receives donated medications from pharmaceutical companies through our PPIP Program (Prescription Program for Indigent Patients). Fundraising efforts allow us to purchase additional medications for our patients.

RotaCare is NOT a walk-in facility.

Patients must call 516.539.9834 to schedule an appointment in advance.

RotaCare facilitates primary medical services to our patients. Additional services are provided through partnerships in the community. RotaCare does not facilitate Pediatric Care or Dental Care. RotaCare helps patients with the following services:

Basic Primary Care
Diabetes, Hypertension and other chronic disease management
Select diagnostic testing
Patient education
Referrals to specialty care (services based upon practitioner availability)
Basic women’s health care (Gynecological Clinic)
Assistance with insurance eligibility
Social Service referrals

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Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter.

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.”

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