William Henry “Bill” Thomas passed away on May 1, 2020. His beloved wife of 61 years, Anita V. Thomas, passed away May 7, 2020, being reunited after only six days apart. Both died of Corona virus.

Anita and Bill Thomas were pillars in their family and the Northport community. Bill was born to Walter Thomas, a World War II veteran, and Hilda Musselwhite Thomas, and was a life-long resident of Northport, New York. Anita was born to Anne and Eugene Vettel in the small town of Laubenheim, Germany, near Mainz on the Rhine River. She emigrated to America in 1949 along with her sister, Kate Miller, who survives her. Anita and Bill are also survived by their two children, Katherine Thomas Williamson and her husband, Gene Williamson of Miller Place, New York, and Peter William Thomas and his wife, Beth Thomas, of Chevy Chase, Maryland. They have six grandsons ages 29 to 17, including Brian, Bobby, and Bradley Williamson and Jeff, Andrew and Teddy Thomas. Bill’s older brother, Robert Thomas, a doctor of veterinary medicine, preceded him in death.

Born in 1937, Bill grew up on Laurel Avenue, spent summers at Crab Meadow, and attended Northport public schools. He took pride in maintaining his first cars, a dark green 1941 Ford Convertible with a rumble seat and a 1957 Chevy two-door hard top convertible, also in green. He attended the University of Alabama in the mid- to late 1950’s during racial integration and completed his degree at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland.

Anita was born in Germany in 1939 and lived through the horror of World War II. At four years old, Anita nearly died of diphtheria and double pneumonia, having been read last rites twice in the town wine cellar they used as a shelter during Allied bombing raids. After emigrating by ship as soon as a lottery would allow, her family put down roots in Northport, Long Island, and bought the local sweet shop and luncheonette known as the “Midway,” (currently next to Rita’s Restaurant on Main Street).

When the Midway ran out of lunch meat, Anita was sent across the street to Betcher’s Butcher Shop (currently the Flower Basket on Laurel Avenue) where a young Bill Thomas also worked after school. When Anita was not leading Northport High School band as the majorette, she and Bill would exchange glances late in the day as Anita rolled up the Midway’s awning and Bill would burn the trash in the back of Betcher’s. They married in 1959 while Anita was still at SUNY Oneonta. After graduation, they returned to Northport and had three children, Katherine, Peter, and Eric, each two years apart. They purchased their home on Crown Hill Road in Northport in 1965 and still own the property.

Tragedy struck in 1974 when the entire family was involved in a car accident in Canada while on summer vacation. Peter lost his legs below the knees and Eric (age 8) did not survive. With the help of Anita’s sister Kate, who lived in Denver, Peter was flown to Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Colorado, a world-renowned rehabilitation center while the family lived with Kate and her three boys, Ted, Paul, and Dan Miller. Peter learned to walk again on artificial legs and returned to his fifth grade class at Ocean Avenue Elementary School.

The loss of their youngest child deeply wounded Anita and Bill throughout their lives and shook their faith for a time, but to their credit, they never let it show. Anita was always the most positive person in the room with Bill steadfast by her side. What easily could have driven the family apart brought them closer together than ever.

Bill taught middle school science and health in the South Huntington School District for 33 years and served as Teacher’s Union President for over a decade. During this time, he returned to school to obtain his Masters’ degree in Education. He retired at age 55. For much of the past few decades, he spent hours tending to his lawn, his garden, and his pool. He balanced his check book with the precision of a forensic accountant and supported all of the volunteer projects Anita initiated. He lived about the most honest and decent life a person can live.

Anita had a profound interest in helping children with disabilities to achieve their potential. She earned a Master’s Degree in Special Education and went to work for years in the Half Hollow Hills School District, teaching K-6 special education. It was the highlight of her professional life to impact the lives of young children with learning disabilities.

When she retired, Anita and Bill focused almost exclusively on charity work. Anita joined the Northport Rotary Club and was awarded Rotarian of the Year in 2016-2017. Bill was her faithful partner in Rotary activities and became an Honorary Rotarian. Anita heard of a program called “Soles4Souls” that helped low income people in developing nations to obtain donated used shoes. Anita brought this program to Northport. She enlisted Bill to help (it was not an option) and grew the program from collecting 500 pairs in the first year to over 21,000 pairs of used shoes in 2018 alone. She demonstrated such drive and enthusiasm that many in Northport refer to Anita as “The Shoe Lady.” Bill and Anita also opened their home throughout the years to host children and their parents from Haiti who traveled to New York City to undergo donated heart surgery.

Anita loved to sing, out loud, in front of people, and grew up in a time when other people would actually join in. Kathy and Peter remember this as the most embarrassing part of childhood and now remember it among their most cherished memories. Anita played guitar and volunteered at the Huntington Art League for years. She dried and pressed wildflowers and preserved them in clear resin. She knitted blankets and hats for every grandchild and others. She refinished wooden furniture from scratch. Anita was a prolific photographer and catalogued her family’s life in dozens of albums to be passed down through the generations. Bill contributed by researching and publishing an extensive family tree of the Thomas/Musselwhite side of the family, well before computer apps made this commonplace.

Anita and Bill were avid runners and founding members of the Northport Road Runners. Anita ran 26 marathons including the New York City Marathon and Marine Corps Marathon several times. She even qualified for the Boston Marathon in 1983, Peter’s freshman year at Boston College, and paused atop “Heartbreak Hill” while Peter and his roommates toasted to her success and cheered her on to the finish.

Bill and Anita loved to travel the world, taking many trips over the years to Anita’s hometown of Laubenheim, Germany where she enjoyed large gatherings of family and friends made during her childhood. They went on cruises to Greece, Alaska, and, in their 55^th year of marriage, Bill surprised Anita with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the South Pacific, including Fiji, Bora Bora, and other exotic destinations. Not bad for a couple of school teachers.

Anita and Bill loved to entertain with good friends, good food and drink, especially gin and tonics and Grand Marnier. Anita was an accomplished cook and baker. Always homemade, her dishes were inspired by her mother’s German recipes including the best apple cake (“Apfel Kuchen”) ever made. She baked German “stolen” every Christmas, perfected Baked Alaskan pie, Brandy Alexander pie, and something with an almond layer of crunchy deliciousness that cannot even be described. Anita included her German parents (“Mutti” and “Papa”) in every social gathering she hosted, including bridge night, and at the end of their lives, her parent’s best friends, and Anita and Bill’s best friends, were one and the same.

If you knew Anita, you got a personal note from Anita, usually with a picture she took of you or your child pasted on top of a generic card. The inscription would have been heartfelt, impeccably written in script, usually in fountain pen, and often accompanied by a formal note on personal stationery within the card or note itself.

Visitors to Bill and Anita’s home were always welcome and greeted with a smile. They were generally regarded as one of the nicest, most caring, and generous couples in town. These traits were passed down to their daughter, Kathy, and her husband Gene, who remained in constant contact with Anita and Bill, especially in their later years. Not a day went by without multiple phone calls or invitations to spend the weekend at Kathy’s home in Miller Place. Not a holiday went by without a celebration led by Kathy, their devoted daughter, and her family.

As public school teachers, Bill and Anita made a modest living by most accounts. But Bill bought some stock one year in the 1980’s that skyrocketed and he sold it all at its peak. Anita, living through the experience of WWII, thought they were not worthy of such an undeserved windfall, so they created a charitable trust as a memorial to their son, Eric. Upon their passing, this trust will be distributed to programs across Long Island that help children with disabilities. They just don’t make people like Anita and Bill Thomas anymore…

FUNERAL CAR PROCESSION SCHEDULED FOR 12:00 NOON, MAY 13, 2020: Due to the risk of infection during the pandemic, no public wake, funeral or Catholic mass will be possible to memorialize the lives of Anita and Bill Thomas. In lieu of this, a funeral procession will be held starting at Nolan Funeral Home on Laurel Avenue, Northport, and ending at Northport Rural Cemetery. Participants should cue up on Laurel Avenue across the street from the Northport Jr. High School bus entrance) between 12:00 and 12:15 pm on Wednesday, May 13^th. The procession will pass the current home, and childhood homes of Bill and Anita, leading to the Northport Harbor and then to Northport Rural Cemetery. To limit the risk of infection, the burial will be a private, family-only ceremony.

A celebration of Anita and Bill’s lives will be planned for the future.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, any donations should be directed to The Long Island Community Foundation, c/o The Eric E. Thomas Memorial Fund, 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 205, Melville, NY 11747 (www.licf.org) or Northport Rotary Club, c/o Soles4Souls, P.O. Box 323, Northport, New York 11768 or www.northportrotary.com.

REMEMBRANCES: The Thomas Family encourages everyone to submit a favorite story, remembrance, or farewell wish to Anita and Bill Thomas, which will be compiled into a book for the family. Please click on the following link to submit your story: https://thomasfamilymemories.fromabirdie.com/contribute

Please note re Covid-19:

If you need a virus test inquire at 888-364-3065
Many local restaurants offer takeout. Please help them any yourselves.
Give critically needed blood - St. Paul's UM Church (Main St.) March 30th

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Please join us for:

Anita V. Thomas Rotary Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

March 1 - ???? ( see details below)

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TEXAS HOLD EM', March 26

POSTPONED (New Date TBA)

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Join us for the Anita V. Thomas Rotary Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

March 1 –????

Due to the virus shutdown we have halted collections. Will resume when things open up.

Got shoes?

Northport Rotary and East Northport Rotary announce our 11^th annual Soles4Souls shoe drive, renamed the “Anita V. Thomas Rotary Soles4Souls Shoe Drive,” in honor of our founder and primary inspiration. Anita, and Bill, her husband, have led the way from an initial collection of 500 pairs at Gold’s Gym in East Northport to over 20,000 pairs in recent years. As Anita says: “What is most inspiring in this is the outpouring of community spirit, particularly from the children.”

Box location sites include area schools, churches, businesses and organizations. See below a full list of the over 90 locations, also posted on www.northportrotary.com by March 1. Many thanks to Westy’s Self Storage at 4049 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport for their support during the drive again this year.

Soles4Souls was established by a group of shoe industry executives in response to global disasters. Their mission is to alleviate poverty through shoes. Soles4Souls distributes new shoes provided by their sponsors to people in immediate need, e.g., disaster victims and those in desperate need. All of the shoes collected in drives across the country are provided to micro-entrepreneurs through micro-finance for them to refurbish and to sell at small markups. Not only do people in great need get shoes, but the sellers establish businesses to feed their families and dig their way out of poverty.

The World Bank estimates that approximately 400 million children worldwide - more than the entire U.S. population - live in pronounced poverty. Millions of these children will grow up never having had a pair of shoes, resulting in significant challenges for their health and well-being. Lacking proper footwear, countless children will not be able or permitted to attend school. And tens of millions of these poverty-stricken, barefoot boys and girls will be infected with soil-transmitted parasitic diseases like hookworm, causing lasting suffering and lifelong debilitation.

"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 Anita. 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."

Box locations:

Northport Village Hall, Asharoken Village Hall, Northport Library, East Northport Library, East Northport Firehouse, Greater LI Running Club, Gold's Gym, Coach Realty (Northport and East Northport), Eastern Athletic (Dix Hills and Melville), People's Bank, Shindokan Budo, First National Bank of Long Island (Main St. & 25A) New York Community Bank (E Npt), Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Garvey Properties (Babylon Rotary), East Northport Rotary, Kraft Shoes, American Properties, Complete Business Services, Dr. Fink Chiropractic, Westy's Storage, Harbor View Salon, Forever Fit, Underwriters Laboratories, Mari's Hallmark, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel Ave.), Air Distribution Enterprises, Village Physical Therapy, Paumanack Village, Brooklyn Bridge Rotary, Sundance(Ladys of Harley), Trinity Episcopal, Christ Lutheran, St. Philip Neri, Union United Methodist, 1st Presbyterian, St. Paul's UMC, Evangelical Covenant, St. Paul's Lutheran, Centerport United Methodist, Abiding Presence, Congregational Church of Huntington, Temple Beth David, Presbyterian Church of Sweet Hollow, Youth Directions, Norwood Ave. School, Ocean Ave. School, East Northport Middle School, Dickenson School, Northport HS Interact, Northport Middle School, Harborfields HS, BS Troup 52, Pulaski School, Love of Learning Montessori (and Girl Scouts), St. Anthony's HS, Power-of-One Gym, Great Neck Rotary, Freeport-Merrick Rotary, “Judy’s Porch”, Resurrection Luthern Church, Chris Reimels Allstate, Mikey Turner, Signature Properties, VNS and Hospice, SCO Family of Services, Energy Fitness Gym, Brooklyn Bridge Rotary

About Northport Rotary and East Northport Rotary

We are two of over 33,000 Rotary Clubs located in 200 countries worldwide. Rotarians provide community service locally, regionally and internationally, with their motto, "Service above Self',” as their guiding principle. Various services to our veterans, Christmas gifts to local families in need, support of local food pantries, scholarships for needy students entering college, support of local families facing extraordinary medical costs or fire losses, international youth exchange, global eradication of polio, clean water projects and many other services are provided.

About Soles4Souis

Soles4Souls, Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise that advances the fight against global poverty by monetizing used shoes and clothing to create sustainable jobs and fund direct relief efforts around the world. The organization collects new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributes those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and through qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souis is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Please visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

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TEXAS HOLD EM' - POSTPONED

Final Table Prizes - Top 9

Pre-register at www.northportrotary.com (CLICK HERE)

Sponsorship Opportunities

Royal Flush Sponsor $500

Dinner Sponsor $250

Drink Sponsor $250

Roulette Sponsor $200

Black Jack Sponsor $200

Poker Table Sponsor $150

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Thanks to all who contributed to

our Thanksgiving

Children's Book Drive, November 1-15

High School Students: Immerse yourself in a foreign country with fellow students!

Be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student.

Live in a foreign country. 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? Get program information directly at exchangestudent.org, the website of Eastern State Student Exchange, our regional Rotary Youth Exchange. Contact Andy Giffin at andygiffin@gmail.com or 631-579-2263 for application details. Applications for the Long-Term Program must be completed by November 1, 1919 for the 2020-2021 academic year. Applications for the Short-Term Program (Summer, 2020) are accepted until May 1, 2020, 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.

Many thanks to all who participated and contributed to the Northport Rotary

Wine and Food in the Courtyard 2019

August 8th at the Vanderbilt Museum.

Northport and East Northport Rotary clubs collected 15,000 shoes to help Soles4Souls in fight against poverty

The 10th Annual shoe drive ran from March 1 until the truck was loaded Saturday, March 30th.

The shoes collected were delivered to Soles4Souls, an international anti-poverty organization that distributes new and used shoes. A micro-enterprise program provides used shoes for repair to create jobs in poor countries. The organization has distributed more than 30 million shoes in well over 100 countries. The annual drive started when Anita and Bill Thomas worked with Soles4Souls in a shoe drive at Gold's Gym in East Northport. Since then 105,000 pairs of shoes have been collected.

"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. "Giving those to us means knowing that you are taking a step to making the world a better place for all of us."

Shoes were collected at the following collection points:

Northport Village Hall, Asharoken Village Hall, Northport Library, East Northport Library, East Northport Firehouse, Dr. Spencer's Legislative Office, Greater Long Island Running Club, Northport Running Club, Northsport, Gold's Gym, Coach Realty (Northport and East Northport), Eastern Athletic (Dix Hills and Melville), People's Bank (Huntington), Shindokan Budo, Kathy's Jewelry Repair, First National Bank of Long Island (Main St. & 25A) New York Community Bank (E Npt), Bottle Bargains, Techniques Salon, Garvey Properties (Babylon Rotary), East Northport Rotary, Kraft Shoes, American Properties, Complete Business Services, Dr. Fink Chiropractic, Westy's Storage, Harbor View Salon, Forever Fit, Underwriters Laboratories, Mari's Hallmark, Self Service Laundromat (Laurel Ave.), Aculability, Air Distribution Enterprises, Professional Physical Therapy, Paumanack Village, Brooklyn Bridge Rotary, Sundance (Ladies of Harley), Trinity Episcopal, Christ Lutheran, St. Philip Neri, Union United Methodist, 1st Presbyterian, St. Paul's UMC, Evangelical Covenant, St. Paul's Lutheran, Centerport United Methodist, Congregational Church of Huntington, Temple Beth David, Presbyterian Church of Sweet Hollow, Youth Directions, Norwood Ave. School, Ocean Ave. School, East Northport Middle School, Dickenson School., Bellrose School, Harborfields HS, Oldfields MS, Washington Dr. School, Lahey School, BS Troup 52, Pulaski School, Love of Learning Montessori (and Girl Scouts), St. Anthony's HS (Emma & Michael Turner), Great Neck Rotary, Williston Park Rotary, Rotary Club of Islip, Baldwin-Rockville Center Rotary, Reimels Allstate, Power of One Gym, and Resurrection Lutheran Church.

About Soles4Souis

Soles4Souls, Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise that advances the fight against global poverty by monetizing used shoes and clothing to create sustainable jobs and fund direct relief efforts around the world. The organization collects new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributes those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and through qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souis is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Please visit www.giveshoes.org for more information.

See Observer Article Below:

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.

Thomas's Host Another Gift of Life Child

See Observer Article below:

Rotarian James LaMantia Named Gift of Life Chairman

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:

Thomases Host Gift of Life Child

Soles4Souls Observer Story

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.

Northport Rotary Grants $1,000 to Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force

See Patch article below:

20,000 Pairs of Shoes

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 Third Runner Up at Ms. New York Senior America Pageant

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.

12,000 Pairs of Shoes for Soles4Souls

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.

2015 Soles4Souls Campaign March 1-31.

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.

Finnegans and Northport Rotary give $12,000 to Food Pantry

Dan and Tsedy Finnegan, with matching funds from Northport Rotary and others, presented a check for $12,000 to the Ecumenical Council Food Pantry.

Wine and Jazz in the Stars

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 BBQ at Wounded Warrior Weekend September 8, 2012

Posted by Andrew Giffin

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.

Northport Rotary in Nan Sema, Haiti

Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jan 26, 2012

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.

Rotarian James LaMantia Named Gift of Life Chairman

Thomases Host Gift of Life Child

Soles4Souls Observer Story

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:

Northport Rotary Grants $1,000 to Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force

See Patch article below:

20,000 Pairs of Shoes

Northport Rotary President Teri George Third Runner Up at Ms. New York Senior America Pageant

12,000 Pairs of Shoes for Soles4Souls

2015 Soles4Souls Campaign March 1-31.

See Observer story for more details.

Finnegans and Northport Rotary give $12,000 to Food Pantry

Dan and Tsedy Finnegan, with matching funds from Northport Rotary and others, presented a check for $12,000 to the Ecumenical Council Food Pantry.

Wine and Jazz in the Stars

Northport Rotary Installs 2014-2015 Officers and Directors

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.

Rotary District 7255 Team on Medical Plus Mission to Haiti

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.

Rotarian Ann Stevens honored by Young Leaders of Huntington

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:

Northport Rotary's Soles for Souls Drive Nets 15,000 Pairs

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.

Winter Soiree Nets $15,000 for VNS & Hospice

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.

7th Annual Winter Soiree March 15th is sold out!

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.

5th Annual Soles4Souls Shoe Drive March 1-31, 2014

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.

Past President James LaMantia's Gift of Life Mission to Haiti

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.

Rotary Flag Tribute to Veterans

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.

10,000 Shoes for Soles for Souls

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.

Rotarian Jean Snyder honored with Paul Harris Fellow award

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.

Rotary Winter Soiree Honors Jim Mahoney

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:

Northport and East Northport Rotary Club hold Italian Night for Homeless Vets

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)

Observer - Photos of 2012 Evening of Wine and Fare at Oheka Castle, August 9, 2012

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.

Northport Rotary Meets with Harold Howe at St. Catherine of Sienna Center

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.

Observer - Northport Rotary to host an evening at the Castle

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.

Observer - Rotary adorns Northport in Old Glory

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.

Observer - Winter Soiree at Jellyfish

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..

Rotary Soiree $10,000 for VNS & Hospice

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

Thomas's Shoe Drive

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.

Observer-Northport Rotary on Midnight Run

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.

Rotary Polio Plus in The Economist

Posted by Andrew Giffin on Jan 26, 2012

Superglue Saved the Day

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.

Welcome to our Club!

Service Above Self

We meet Wednesdays at 12:05 PM
Temporarily via Zoom teleconference

online
Northport, NY 11768
United States of America

Phone:

(631) 579-2263

Email:

andygiffin@gmail.com

District Site

Venue Map

Tribute to Anita and Bill Thomas
Jul 01, 2020 6:00 PM

wh-4p-gd

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.

Mark Nolan, President

The Rotary Club of Northport Charity Fund

To contribute to the work of the Northport Rotary please send contribution to Rotary Club of Northport, P.O. Box 323, Northport, New York 11768 - or - use the following button to contribute online:

Nature & Nurture

With help from a Rotary Foundation global grant, a group of women in rural Costa Rica are using ecotourism to enrich their families' futures.

Statement from Rotary International

Statement from Rotary InternationalAt Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism. Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work.We have

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Kenyan Rotarians take action to prevent spread of COVID-19 

Rotary clubs in East Africa are forging partnerships to provide hand washing stations and food in areas where social distancing is a luxury that few can afford.

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