James LaMantia, owner of LaMantia Gallery, has been named Chairman of Gift of Life, the Rotary group that provides life-saving heart surgery for needy children from around the world. The October 5, 2017 Observer article follows:
Banner Image - Thanks to Alan Pearlman, In Memoriam
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Rotary Youth Exchange.png)
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High School Students: Immerse yourself in a foreign country with fellow students! Be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. Note: if you are interested in the Long-Term Program, applications are due November 1st.
Learn a foreign language as natives speak it. Learn a new culture. Open your mind to a new part of the world. See the U.S. in a new light. Have a great time! Open the door to an amazing future.
Want to know more? Contact Andy Giffin at andygiffin@gmail.com or 631-579-2263 for application details. Get more program information directly at exchangestudent.org, the website of Eastern State Student Exchange, our regional Rotary Youth Exchange. Applications for the Long-Term Program must be completed by November 1, 1918 for the 2019-2020 academic year. Applications for the Short-Term Program (Summer, 2019) are accepted until May 1, 2019, but should be submitted as early as possible to get top choices of countries.
Rotary Youth Exchange – Program Details
Long-Term Program
- Spend an academic year in a foreign country
- Experience life with student families
- Go to a local school
- Share the language, culture and peer activities
- Meet students from other countries on exchanges
- Be supported by a global Rotary network of adult advisors
- Low cost: all administration by Rotary volunteers
- Requirements: age 15-18, solid academic performance, adaptability, curiosity
- Graduate with your class; enhance college applications
- Host an exchange student in your home for part of the year
- Discover yourself – builds maturity and independence
- Make life-long friends
Short-Term Program
- Be paired with a foreign student
- Spend 3-4 weeks in each family home
- Learn language and culture
- Learn about yourself away from home
- Make life-long friends
Rotary Youth Exchange is a program of Rotary International with about 30-40 countries participating. The local program is administered by Rotary District 7255 (Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens) and Northport Rotary. Rotary is a community service organization with 33,000 local clubs in 200 countries worldwide. Our motto is “service above self.” Students are only placed in safe locations with active local support of Rotary clubs and districts, here and there. We have had recent exchanges in Japan, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Poland, and Thailand.
Thanks to all who made the Wine in the Courtyard, August 9th, a great success. A perfect evening by and for our community. See the event photo gallery in "Photo Gallery" tab above.
21,000 Pairs of Shoes!! Thanks to all who contributed to the Soles4Souls Shoe Drive
Northport and East Northport Rotary Clubs concluded their 9th Annual shoe drive April 7, 2018. "Our goal was to collect 20,000 pairs of shoes to help the poor," said Anita Thomas, Northport Rotarian and Soles4Souls Ambassador. Shoes were collected at over 70 collection points at schools, churches, businesses and other organizations.
The shoes collected are being delivered to Soles4Souls, an international anti-poverty organization that distributes new and used shoes. A microenterprise program provides used shoes for repair to create jobs in poor countries. Tbe organization has distributed more than 25 million shoes in well over 100 countries, over 2.7 million in 2017..
"We support Soles4Souls because it is effective in distributing shoes where the need is, in the U.S. and around the world, in response to disasters and deep poverty," said Thomas. Among its relief programs, Soles 4 Souls distributed over 50,000 new pairs of shoes to help Philippine victims of Typhoon Haiyan.
"The simple truth is that almost anyone with a closet has shoes they don't wear, or an old pair that will just end up in a landfill," said Thomas. "Give those to us, and know that you are taking a step to making the world a better place for all of us."
Many happy feet thank you!
Thomas's Host Another Gift of Life Child
See Observer Article below:
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Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet Wednesdays at 12:05 PM
Crossroads Cafe
Crossroads Cafe
26 Laurel Road
East Northport, NY 11731
United States
East Northport, NY 11731
United States
District Site
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Venue Map
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See below story of the 8th Annual Soles4Souls Shoe drive conducted by the Northport and East Northport Rotaries during March 2017 published in The Observer April 6, 2017:.jpg)
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Groups contributing to this year’s drive included:
Gold's Gym, Northport High School Interact, Northport Middle School, Asharoken Village Hall, First National Bank of Long Island (Rte. 25A and Main St), Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Centerport United Methodist, St. Paul's Lutheran, Christ Lutheran Church, Norwood Avenue School, Ocean Avenue School, East Northport Middle School, Bellerose Elementary School, Dickenson Avenue School, Harborfields High School, Suigetsu Dojo, Roslyn Savings Bank (East Northport), Kathy's Jewelry Repair, Northsport, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Northport Village Hall, Northport Fire Department, East Northport Fire Dept., Greater Long Island Running Club, Northport Running Club, Signature Properties, Coach Realty, Eastern Athletic Club, Visiting Nurse Service, Ty Lilli Dry Cleaners, Energy Fitness Gym, Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Copenhagen Bakery, East Northport Rotary, American Properties, Temple Beth David, Congregational Church of Huntington, St. Philip Neri, William Brosnan School, Pulaski Schoo (Boy Scout Troop 52)l, Love of Learning Montessori Schools, Trinity Regional, St. Anthony’s, LaMantia Gallery, Forever Fit, Garvey Properties (Babylon), Underwriters Laboratories, Complete Business Services, Westy’s Storage (Jericho), Health Source Chiropractic, Harbor View Salon, Kings Park High School Interact, Union Methodist Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, Lahey Elementary, Wally Shivers – Hibernians, Prudential (Melville), Peoples Bank Huntington, Power-of-One Gym, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel), Harborfields Middle School, Chris Reimels Allstate, Centereach Boy Scout Troop 3072, Rockville Center School, Washington St. School.
Gold's Gym, Northport High School Interact, Northport Middle School, Asharoken Village Hall, First National Bank of Long Island (Rte. 25A and Main St), Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Centerport United Methodist, St. Paul's Lutheran, Christ Lutheran Church, Norwood Avenue School, Ocean Avenue School, East Northport Middle School, Bellerose Elementary School, Dickenson Avenue School, Harborfields High School, Suigetsu Dojo, Roslyn Savings Bank (East Northport), Kathy's Jewelry Repair, Northsport, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Northport Village Hall, Northport Fire Department, East Northport Fire Dept., Greater Long Island Running Club, Northport Running Club, Signature Properties, Coach Realty, Eastern Athletic Club, Visiting Nurse Service, Ty Lilli Dry Cleaners, Energy Fitness Gym, Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Copenhagen Bakery, East Northport Rotary, American Properties, Temple Beth David, Congregational Church of Huntington, St. Philip Neri, William Brosnan School, Pulaski Schoo (Boy Scout Troop 52)l, Love of Learning Montessori Schools, Trinity Regional, St. Anthony’s, LaMantia Gallery, Forever Fit, Garvey Properties (Babylon), Underwriters Laboratories, Complete Business Services, Westy’s Storage (Jericho), Health Source Chiropractic, Harbor View Salon, Kings Park High School Interact, Union Methodist Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, Lahey Elementary, Wally Shivers – Hibernians, Prudential (Melville), Peoples Bank Huntington, Power-of-One Gym, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel), Harborfields Middle School, Chris Reimels Allstate, Centereach Boy Scout Troop 3072, Rockville Center School, Washington St. School.
See Patch article below:
Northport Rotary Club and East Northport Rotary Club teamed up, under the direction of Anita and Bill Thomas, to collect 20,000 pairs of shoes in March, 2016 for Soles4Souls, a worldwide distributor of new and used shoes to areas of poverty and disaster. This 7th annual drive far exceeded prior year totals, aided particularly by kids in school, scout and other groups. As Anita Thomas noted: "It was really a heartwarming experience. Everybody just came together, it was so wonderful." Area churches, businesses, running groups and others pitched in.
Northport Rotary President Teri George was awarded Third Runner Up at the Ms. New York Senior America Pageant at Hofstra University April 3rd. Strutting her stuff with a dazzling performance of "All that Jazz" Teri was overjoyed with the result on her first participation in the event. See attached pre-event Observer article.
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Northport Rotarian Anita Thomas and husband, Bill, organized the Sixth Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive during March 2015. On April 1 600 bags of shoes were loaded onto a truck headed for distribution around the world. See Observer story below for details.
Join the Sixth Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive. There will be a collection box in 11 local churches, 9 schools, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Gold’s Gym, the Eastern Athletic Club, and the Asharoken Village Hall Trailer March 1 – 31, 2015 for you to deposit any type of new or used shoes for redistribution to needy people in the U.S. and over 125 countries around the world. The Northport and Greater Long Island Running Clubs are also participating. The drive is sponsored by the Northport and East-Northport Rotary Clubs. The goal is 20,000 pairs of shoes. So, start cleaning your closets.
Organized by Northport Rotarian Anita Thomas and husband, Bill, in 2010, the number of shoes collected has grown from the initial effort at Gold’s Gym of 500 pairs of shoes to 14,000 in 2014. Soles4Souls was founded by Wayne Elsey, initially as a response to a 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia. He called executives in the shoe industry and delivered a quarter of a million shoes to areas devastated. Then, in response to Hurricane Katrina, over a million shoes were delivered to gulf coast communities. A year later, Soles4Souls was established and has collected and delivered over 21 million pairs of shoes around the world. The U.S. is first priority but disasters and general poverty provide plenty of demand worldwide. Shoes in need of repair go to local micro-business owners who restore the shoes, sell them for small amounts and thereby support their families
Anita and Bill Thomas had the opportunity to participate on a shoe delivery trip in Costa Rica in November 2014. They spent a week with a team of 14 volunteers from around the U.S. at a school, church and remote village washing children’s feet, measuring for size and delivering shoes. Anita described the experience – “We wanted to see what happens with the shoes. It is difficult not to be touched deeply when you see the smiles and joy of children getting something so basic as a pair of shoes. We were overwhelmed by the amount of Northport community support when we first collected 500 pairs. Each year there have been more people involved. I know we will meet our goal of 20,000 pairs this year.”
See Observer story for more details.
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Dan and Tsedy Finnegan, with matching funds from Northport Rotary and others, presented a check for $12,000 to the Ecumenical Council Food Pantry.
MANY THANKS TO GUESTS, WINE AND FOOD MERCHANTS, MUSICIANS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR CONTRIBUTING TO A VERY SUCCESSFUL Wine & Jazz in the Stars Vanderbilt Planetarium Thursday, August 14, 2014 SEE ARTICLE AT http://www.thenorthportdailynews.com/2014/08/16/the-joint-was-%E2%80%A6z-in-the-stars/2162 - See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/1761#sthash.858qiv8X.dpuf
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jul 06, 2014
James LaMantia was sworn in for his second term as President. Outgoing President John Ross was presented with a gold gavel appreciation for his year of service. See Observer story below.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jun 19, 2014
A team from Rotary District 7255 (Suffolk, Nassau, Brooklyn, Queens) visited Haiti April 4-13, 2014 to conduct medical/dental clinics and work on other community projects in Anse-a-Galets and Nan Sema on the large islland of La Gonave. The team was led by Past District Governor George Solomon (his 25th trip) and included Northport Rotary Past President Andy Giffin. An account of the trip below, titled "La Gonave Remembered," tells the story.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on May 03, 2014
Ann Stevens, pianist, teacher and active Northport Rotarian, was honored by the Young Leaders of Huntington at their awards dinner at Crestwood Manor on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. See details below:
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Apr 20, 2014
Got Shoes? Oh Yes! 15,000 pairs were loaded into a semi-trailer on April 1 bound for needy feet around the world. Thanks to all who contributed and picked up shoes. And thanks to Rotarian Anita Thomas and husband, Bill, who carried the message throughout the community.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Apr 01, 2014
Northport Rotary's 7th Annual Winter Soiree was held at the Northport Yacht Club March 15, 2014. Broadway and Engemann Theater star, Rob Gallagher, provided the entertainment, accompanied by Rotarian Ann Stevens, with a variety of Irish and show tunes. Northport's Music Man, Robert Krueger, was honored for his many contributions to music education and performance in Northport schools and the community. Proceeds, a record $15,000, go to the Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Feb 25, 2014
Northport Rotary's winter fund raising event to benefit Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk at the Northport Yacht Club on Saturday, March 15, 2014 is sold out. The event will feature Broadway star, Rob Gallagher. Gallagher recently completed leading roles in the John W. Engeman Theater and Broadway productions of "South Pacific" and will be accompanyed by Rotarian Ann Stevens. Guests will be treated to a lavish buffet of international hors d'oeuvres and Irish delicacies, along with gourmet desserts compliments of Copenhagen Bakery.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Feb 08, 2014
Northport and East Northport Rotary kick off their 5th Annual Soles4Souls shoe drive March 1st, running through March 31st. 30 drop locations will be announced soon. The goal is to collect 20,000 pairs of shoes. 12,000 were collected in 2013. See details in the February 6, 2014 Observer article below. New and wearable used shoes of all types and for all ages are sought. Begin collecting now.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Nov 17, 2013
James LaMantia accompanied a French surgical team and nurses from New York and Los Angeles to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to observe life-saving heart surgeries on poor Haitian children. He observed the screening process, surgical procedures in the operating room, and worked with kids pre-operation and post-operation. The local Gift of Life Board of Directors are held a gala fundraiser to Flowerfield in St. James, Thursday, November 21, 2014. See details in The Observer article in the November 14, 2013 issue below.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on May 01, 2013
Northport Rotary displayed flags in the Village May 24 to July 19 in tribute to our veterans and in honor of Petty Officer Third Class Nate Bruckenthal who died in Iraq in 2004. SeeThe Times of Northport and East Northport article below.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Apr 08, 2013
10,000 Shoes!!! Thanks to Anita and Bill Thomas for a non-stop effort to get the word out (Anita) and gather the shoes (Bill). And, thanks to all of you for your efforts to find all those shoes and keep the drop-off points full. By April 4th they filled a storage unit and were loaded onto a semi-trailer for transport to Soles for Souls Tennessee distribution center. Although not meeting the 20,000 goal, this effort tripled last year's collection.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Mar 09, 2013
Rotarian Jean Snyder was honored with the Rotary founder's Paul Harris Fellow award at Rotary District 7260's Women in Rotary 25th Anniversary Year Celebration on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Irish Coffee Pub in East Islip, New York. Past District Governor Arnold Quaranta announced the award saying: " Jean Snyder has the distinction of being one of the first women inducted nationwide into Rotary, the second in Northport Rotary, in 1988. She became the club's first woman president in 1993-94. Jean has long been chair of one of Northport's major fund raising events, the June golf outing, adding her own considerable golfing skills. She continues to be very active in support of all club activities."
Pictured below from left to right are Past District Governor Arnie Quaranta, current District Governor Cornelia Gevinski, Jean Snyder and Carolyn Jones, keynote speaker and the first woman appointed as Trustee of Rotary international's Rotary Foundation.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Mar 16, 2013
The Northport Rotary Club honored Jim Mahoney at its Winter Soiree on March 8, 2013. Mahoney served for four decades with the Northport Volunteer Fire Department and organized many community and American Legion activities. See Observer article below from the March 14, 2013 issue:
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Mar 09, 2013
The Northport and East Northport Rotary Clubs combined efforts to raise money and collect household items to aid homeless vets as they find housing; See article from The Observer (March 7, 2013, Pp 1 & 14)
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Aug 18, 2012
Northport Rotary presented its Evening of Wine and Fare at Oheka Castle August 9th drawing over 400 guests and featuring over 150 wines and spirits and food from over 20 local restaurants. Over 50 raffle baskets and silent auction items were offered. All proceeds go to the charities supported by Northport Rotary, including local organizations and families in need, youth programs, international projects and a growing program of services to our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Mar 08, 2013
On December 12, 2012 Northport Rotary had its regular Wednesday noon meeting at St. Catherine of Sienna Nursing and Rehabilitation Care Center with resident Harold Howe, a 48 year member of the club. Stories abounded of Harold's many contributions to the club, both in community service and in humor. See Observer photo below.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jul 28, 2012
In The Observer (July 26, 2012, pp.7,15), Elise Perlman previewed Northport Rotary's upcoming "An Evening of Wine and Fare at Oheka Castle" August 9, 2012. (Photo by Alan Perlman.) In addition to over 100 wine selections and food from local restaurants - a sampling of worldwide wines and cuisine - there will be music and raffles throughout the castle. Full article attached.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jun 26, 2012
Northport has placed flags at the Northport Village Hall, Firehouse and Village Park to honor our veterans, this year dedicated to the late Northport Fire Chief Bob Howard. A dedication ceremony was held on Flag Day, June 14, 2012. The flags will stay up until July 5th. Flags may be purchased by sending a check with the coupon in the Observer article or on flyers in Village Hall, or by contributing on this webpage by clicking on the flag event in upper right corner of the home page. All proceeds go to Northport Rotary projects for veterans.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jan 14, 2012
Nortport Rotary will hold its 5th annual Winter Soiree at the Jellyfish Restaurant in Centerport on Saturday, February 25, 2012..
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Mar 03, 2012
Northport Rotary's Winter Soiree at Jellyfish Restaurant in Centerport raised $10,000 for the Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Feb 12, 2012
The Observer chronicles Anita and Bill Thomas' second annual Soles4Souls shoe drive at Gold's Gym and elsewhere wth help from Anita's fellow Nothport Rotarians.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jan 19, 2012
Northport and East Northport Rotarians prepared soup and sandwiches and collected winter clothes for homeless people in Manhattan, delivered January 6, 2012.
Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jan 29, 2012
Rotary Intenational writer Ryan Hylan recounts the story of how superglue played a critical role in delicate facial surgery in remote Nan Sema, Haiti, during a 2011 Rotary trip that included two Nothport Rotarians.
James LaMantia, owner of LaMantia Gallery, has been named Chairman of Gift of Life, the Rotary group that provides life-saving heart surgery for needy children from around the world. The October 5, 2017 Observer article follows:
See below story of the 8th Annual Soles4Souls Shoe drive conducted by the Northport and East Northport Rotaries during March 2017 published in The Observer April 6, 2017:
Groups contributing to this year’s drive included:
Gold's Gym, Northport High School Interact, Northport Middle School, Asharoken Village Hall, First National Bank of Long Island (Rte. 25A and Main St), Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Centerport United Methodist, St. Paul's Lutheran, Christ Lutheran Church, Norwood Avenue School, Ocean Avenue School, East Northport Middle School, Bellerose Elementary School, Dickenson Avenue School, Harborfields High School, Suigetsu Dojo, Roslyn Savings Bank (East Northport), Kathy's Jewelry Repair, Northsport, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Northport Village Hall, Northport Fire Department, East Northport Fire Dept., Greater Long Island Running Club, Northport Running Club, Signature Properties, Coach Realty, Eastern Athletic Club, Visiting Nurse Service, Ty Lilli Dry Cleaners, Energy Fitness Gym, Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Copenhagen Bakery, East Northport Rotary, American Properties, Temple Beth David, Congregational Church of Huntington, St. Philip Neri, William Brosnan School, Pulaski Schoo (Boy Scout Troop 52)l, Love of Learning Montessori Schools, Trinity Regional, St. Anthony’s, LaMantia Gallery, Forever Fit, Garvey Properties (Babylon), Underwriters Laboratories, Complete Business Services, Westy’s Storage (Jericho), Health Source Chiropractic, Harbor View Salon, Kings Park High School Interact, Union Methodist Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, Lahey Elementary, Wally Shivers – Hibernians, Prudential (Melville), Peoples Bank Huntington, Power-of-One Gym, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel), Harborfields Middle School, Chris Reimels Allstate, Centereach Boy Scout Troop 3072, Rockville Center School, Washington St. School.
Gold's Gym, Northport High School Interact, Northport Middle School, Asharoken Village Hall, First National Bank of Long Island (Rte. 25A and Main St), Trinity Episcopal Church, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Centerport United Methodist, St. Paul's Lutheran, Christ Lutheran Church, Norwood Avenue School, Ocean Avenue School, East Northport Middle School, Bellerose Elementary School, Dickenson Avenue School, Harborfields High School, Suigetsu Dojo, Roslyn Savings Bank (East Northport), Kathy's Jewelry Repair, Northsport, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Northport Village Hall, Northport Fire Department, East Northport Fire Dept., Greater Long Island Running Club, Northport Running Club, Signature Properties, Coach Realty, Eastern Athletic Club, Visiting Nurse Service, Ty Lilli Dry Cleaners, Energy Fitness Gym, Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Copenhagen Bakery, East Northport Rotary, American Properties, Temple Beth David, Congregational Church of Huntington, St. Philip Neri, William Brosnan School, Pulaski Schoo (Boy Scout Troop 52)l, Love of Learning Montessori Schools, Trinity Regional, St. Anthony’s, LaMantia Gallery, Forever Fit, Garvey Properties (Babylon), Underwriters Laboratories, Complete Business Services, Westy’s Storage (Jericho), Health Source Chiropractic, Harbor View Salon, Kings Park High School Interact, Union Methodist Church, Evangelical Covenant Church, Lahey Elementary, Wally Shivers – Hibernians, Prudential (Melville), Peoples Bank Huntington, Power-of-One Gym, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel), Harborfields Middle School, Chris Reimels Allstate, Centereach Boy Scout Troop 3072, Rockville Center School, Washington St. School.
Northport Rotary Club and East Northport Rotary Club teamed up, under the direction of Anita and Bill Thomas, to collect 20,000 pairs of shoes in March, 2016 for Soles4Souls, a worldwide distributor of new and used shoes to areas of poverty and disaster. This 7th annual drive far exceeded prior year totals, aided particularly by kids in school, scout and other groups. As Anita Thomas noted: "It was really a heartwarming experience. Everybody just came together, it was so wonderful." Area churches, businesses, running groups and others pitched in.
Northport Rotary President Teri George was awarded Third Runner Up at the Ms. New York Senior America Pageant at Hofstra University April 3rd. Strutting her stuff with a dazzling performance of "All that Jazz" Teri was overjoyed with the result on her first participation in the event. See attached pre-event Observer article.
Northport Rotarian Anita Thomas and husband, Bill, organized the Sixth Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive during March 2015. On April 1 600 bags of shoes were loaded onto a truck headed for distribution around the world. See Observer story below for details.
Join the Sixth Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive. There will be a collection box in 11 local churches, 9 schools, Northport and East Northport Libraries, Gold’s Gym, the Eastern Athletic Club, and the Asharoken Village Hall Trailer March 1 – 31, 2015 for you to deposit any type of new or used shoes for redistribution to needy people in the U.S. and over 125 countries around the world. The Northport and Greater Long Island Running Clubs are also participating. The drive is sponsored by the Northport and East-Northport Rotary Clubs. The goal is 20,000 pairs of shoes. So, start cleaning your closets.
Organized by Northport Rotarian Anita Thomas and husband, Bill, in 2010, the number of shoes collected has grown from the initial effort at Gold’s Gym of 500 pairs of shoes to 14,000 in 2014. Soles4Souls was founded by Wayne Elsey, initially as a response to a 2004 Tsunami in Southeast Asia. He called executives in the shoe industry and delivered a quarter of a million shoes to areas devastated. Then, in response to Hurricane Katrina, over a million shoes were delivered to gulf coast communities. A year later, Soles4Souls was established and has collected and delivered over 21 million pairs of shoes around the world. The U.S. is first priority but disasters and general poverty provide plenty of demand worldwide. Shoes in need of repair go to local micro-business owners who restore the shoes, sell them for small amounts and thereby support their families
Anita and Bill Thomas had the opportunity to participate on a shoe delivery trip in Costa Rica in November 2014. They spent a week with a team of 14 volunteers from around the U.S. at a school, church and remote village washing children’s feet, measuring for size and delivering shoes. Anita described the experience – “We wanted to see what happens with the shoes. It is difficult not to be touched deeply when you see the smiles and joy of children getting something so basic as a pair of shoes. We were overwhelmed by the amount of Northport community support when we first collected 500 pairs. Each year there have been more people involved. I know we will meet our goal of 20,000 pairs this year.”
See Observer story for more details.
Dan and Tsedy Finnegan, with matching funds from Northport Rotary and others, presented a check for $12,000 to the Ecumenical Council Food Pantry.
MANY THANKS TO GUESTS, WINE AND FOOD MERCHANTS, MUSICIANS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR CONTRIBUTING TO A VERY SUCCESSFUL Wine & Jazz in the Stars Vanderbilt Planetarium Thursday, August 14, 2014 SEE ARTICLE AT http://www.thenorthportdailynews.com/2014/08/16/the-joint-was-%E2%80%A6z-in-the-stars/2162 - See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/1761#sthash.858qiv8X.dpuf
Northport Rotary members and family, led by Pete Engelmann, put on a BBQ with hamburgers, hot dogs, turkey burgers and clams, along with various side dishes provided by Rotarians and Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk staff. In attendance were over 200 wounded warriors, their families and volunteers. The Saturday lunch followed a series of Cow Harbor Wounded Warriors Weekend events, including a parade and dinner at the Northport Volunteer Fire Department Friday night and a 10k Run, a "Birdies for the Brave" golf tournament at the VA, a "Fishing for Freedom" tournament and beach activities for kids at the Steers Beach site of the lunch. An evening clam bake at Crab Meadow Beach completed the day. See photos by Alan Pearlman in the Photo Gallery.
In February 2011, Pete Engelmann and Andy Giffin joined others from District 7260 and 7250 to travel to Nan Sema, Haiti, a remote village on the island of La Gonave to intall a solar system, replace a water pump and provide medical services.
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Northport, on the scenic northern coast of Long Island, New York. Northport Rotary is an energetic, community-minded and fun-loving organization of people dedicated to "Service above Self."
Our 35 members welcome the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and experience the personal fulfillment of providing volunteer services to others - to our returning veterans, local community services, international projects and youth. Rotary promotes high ethical standards in business and strives to build good will among people and world peace.
James LaManita, President
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