The Millville Airport was dedicated “America’s First Defense Airport” on August 2, 1941 by local, state, and federal officials. In January of 1943, the Millville Army Air Field opened as a gunnery school for fighter pilots. Today, the Millville Army Air Field Museum is dedicated to "telling the stories of those who trained here, died here, and those who went on to serve our country in WWII, and other wars throughout our history."
Highlights from our April 9th Meeting
Immediate Past President, Harry Maloney stepped in for the traveling President Andy Browne. Susanna Philippoussis led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Jay Einstein performed the 4 Way Test and Pastor Heather Sugden gave the invocation. Linda Rumickwas our notetaker. Harry thanked Gus Foster for setting up the room for the meeting and Karen Bauman for serving as Sergeant at Arms. We were treated to delicious cupcakes in honor of our founder, Paul Harris' birthday. Thank you Josie for the special treat!
Golf Outing News!
Josie Spinelli announced that two more raffle items have been added to the growing list of awesome items for our May 15th Golf Outing!
Member Preston Centuolo gifted us two autographed footballs one signed by Barrett Brooks and the other by Vai Sikahema! Both of these men played for the Philadelphia Eagles and both believe in giving back to their community. Thank you, Preston! Donna Perez recently announced that her husband, the talented artist George Perez is donating two of his golf-related artistic illustrations (above) to be raffled to benefit our first ever golf outing May 15th! Chances will be offered at 5 tickets for $10! You choose which portrait you want to purchase chances for .... or purchase both! Member Ken Dondero has announced that Dondero Jewelers will sponsor a hole-in-one contest at the outing offering a $5000 prize to be used at Dondero Jewelers. And member Kevin Bernhardt announced this week that he is a Golf Outing sponsor (Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home) and provided Josie with a check at our meeting. Thank you all for your support!
What can YOU do to help with this major fundraiser that will help us fund our service projects? We need baskets to raffle the day of the outing. You can contribute items for baskets or completed baskets, Alicia Fichera, Cara Stanzione and Sherri Prescott will be preparing all the baskets and they have a list of suggested items. This list is on the golf outing page featured on our website. Visit the 2024 Golf Outing Page by clicking this link: https://vinelandrotary.org/sitepage/2024-vineland-rotary-golf-outingPlease review the list and donate what you can!
Make sure you share the golf outing information with friends, family and coworkers! We need sponsors and golfers.
Challenger League Volunteers are Needed!
Challenger League is coming soon! We need Rotarians to participate in the final day of Challenger League games on Saturday, June 1 from 10 am until 1 pm. Each year, Rotarians and Interact Students help support the team members in their baseball games. Can you volunteer? Please contact Denise Jackson and let her know. Denise can be reached at:Denise Jackson<denise@cezcorp.org>
Our Program
Our guest speaker was Bill Donnelly, currently a Member of the Board of Trustees of Rotary District 7505 Gift of Life Foundation and a huge supporter of the Gift of Life.
Bill is a 20-year Rotarian, a two-time President of the Red Bank Rotary and a past District Governor.
What is Gift of Life?
Its mission is to provide free medical services to children in developing countries suffering from congenital heart defects, regardless of age, race, gender creed or national origin who without Gift of Life's help would certainly die at a young age.
The organization found early on that it is much less expensive to bring the doctors and medical teams to the children instead of bringing the children to the US for surgery. Bill traveled to the Phillipines and witnessed the miracles of Gift of Life first hand. A team of pediatric heart surgeons from Duke University traveled to the Phillipines with their own staff members -- OR Nurses, ICU Nurses, Anesthesiolgists, etc. These individuals volunteer their time, use personal vacation time and bring their own supplies.
Bill reviewed some of the missions from the past several years:
In 2023, missions were completed in Bangladesh (43 surgeries), India (76 surgeries) and Ukraine (16 surgeries).
In 2022, missions were completed in Romania (72 surgeries), Jamaica (39 surgeries), Egypt (47 surgeries) and Pakistan (105 surgeries).
Since 2020, a total of 2825 children were treated!
Bill Donnelly was honored Sunday, April 14th at the annual Gift of Life Gala as the recipient of the Michael's Heart Award presented in Point Pleasant, NJ. Vineland Rotary members Jay Einstein, Frank Rumick and Linda Rumick attended the event.
rry thanked Gus Foster for setting up the room for the meeting and Karen Bauman for serving as Sergeant at Arms. We were treated to delicious cupcakes in honor of our founder, Paul Harris' birthday. Thank you Josie for the special treat!
eaker was Bill Donnelly, currently a Member of the Board of Trustees of Rotary District 7505 Gift of Life Foundation and a huge supporter of the Gift of Life.
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