Preston Centuolo: “Today’s youth are bombarded by messages of what it takes to be cool. For some, cool is being in a gang, for others, it’s drugs, alcohol, or sex. I believe that teenagers need to find out who they are before they can make sound choices on their future. They need to know what they believe in, what they are good at, and what their goals and dreams are. My message is aimed at helping kids figure out what their dreams are, giving them the inspiration to go after those goals, and then encouraging them to be true to themselves instead of sacrificing their goals to peer pressure, violence or victimization. My hunger is to help youth overcome adversity. I excel at working with troubled youth, because I show them acceptance, love, and respect. The more troubled they are, the more success I seem to have in relating to them and empowering the message of hope.
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Highlights from our
February 13th Meeting
President Andy Browne called the meeting to order. Denise Jackson led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, Linda Foster performed the 4 Way Test and Jay Einstein gave the invocation. Alicia Fichera was our notetaker.
Andy welcomed guests Josie Neill and Nico Rizzo.
Rotarian of the Week!
Ed Morvay was crowned "Rotarian of the Week" in recognition of all he has done to support the Vineland Rotary Club throughout the years.
Congratulations, Ed on your crowning achievements and thank you for all you do!
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Announcements
Dawn Hunter's mother passed away, please keep her and her family in your prayers. She lived in Massachusetts. There will be no local services.
To extend your condolences to Dawn and her family, you can reach out at the following address: Dawn & Joe Hunter, 1813 Annlo Lane, Vineland, NJ 08361
Maureen Simmons has joined the Code Blue Rotary salad committee! Thank you, Maureen for being a part of this project!
Josie Spinelli reminded everyone of the Annual Spaghetti Dinner coming up. Tickets are on sale!! The dinner will take place at the Semper Marine located at 2041 W Landis Avenue, Vineland on March 3, 2024 from 12-4 PM. The cost per ticket is $12.00. There is only one dinner planned this year and it is TAKE OUT ONLY! Josie plans to coordinate a fellowship after the dinner. Please let Dave Schad and Josieknow what organizations will be involved. A sign up sheet went around for volunteers for the event
and for the fellowship. Volunteers: we need 4-5 people to arrive at 8:00 AM to help at Larry’s then we will need more individuals at Semper Marine at 9:00.
Sherry Soutierre announced that we will be packaging Blessing Bags again at our March 5th meeting. We could use some donations, if you feel compelled to donate.
Jay Einstein introduced Membership Chairperson, Gail Marino for our program- "What do you love about Rotary?"
Melody Montgomery, Secretary, asked the following questions:
What Rotary memory do you love the most? Why?
There were a lot of responses from Rotarians.
Maureen mentioned when she moved here from Florida and was constantly cleaning floors her son said “You need to find a new Rotary club” and so she joined Vineland and everyone welcomed her with open arms!
Andy Browne said his favorite memory was when he, Gus Foster and George Steinbronn had a rock band named "Train Wreck”! Their singing sounded horrible - this was at the old Loyle Lanes but it was so much fun!
What Rotary service project do you love the most? Why?
There were a lot of responses from Rotarians.
They included:
Bonnie Laube mentioned when they assembled hands for the amputees “helping hands” project.
Ed Morvay said the Wreaths Of Remembrance is one of his favorites. He will never forget his first one when an A10 Warthog flew over the cemetery.
Joe O’Rourke said Pedals for Progress! He loved going to the late Henry Hanson’s garage. Everyone else agreed how much they enjoyed visiting Henry. Joe mentioned Henry would take some of Joe’s old construction items like windows and wood and donate them to the Boy Scouts.
Andy mentioned the Wreaths of Remembrance as well. He will never forget as he was leaving the cemetery one day, a bald eagle flew right over!
Dave Schad said the Challenger League!
What Rotary fellowship event do/did you love the most? Why?
Jay Einstein mentioned Ted Lane's garage in Newfield. All of the guys used to smoke cigars, have chili and drinks and they used to call it “Garage Majal”. Sherry chimed in to say that some women crashed this event one time. Everyone laughed!
What Rotary tradition do you love the most? Why?
Jay Einstein loves the Annual Scholarship Program and being able to contribute to furthering education for a child.
Dave Schad told us that in the 1930’s-40’s this club was known as the SINGING ROTARY CLUB!
Bonnie Laube loves providing lunches to the community!
Gus Foster loves the Holiday Party for Special Needs Children the most!
Preston Centuolo said it is kind of a tradition but he appreciates and admires how supportive we are as a club and how if someone is hurting or struggling or grieving we all are there to support them and offer help. He said “It really is a beautiful thing how everyone comes together”.
Who would you love to see join Vineland Rotary? Why?
Andy mentioned he would love to see a physician join the club. He said there has to be one out there who is service oriented. He challenged the club members to find one!!!
Linda Foster did the Valentines Trivia quiz.
Sherry Soutierre did the Left/Right Rotary Valentine Story. The winners of the Valentines gift bags were: Denise Jackson and Ed Morvay. This was a fun and exciting game as we laughed a lot keeping up with the moving of the bags!
We had so much fun at our Valentines meeting. Maureen Simmons made delicious cookies and chocolate covered strawberries. Thank you, Maureen!! Everyone LOVED them!
There were several special Valentine treats on the tables for everyone. Thanks to all who helped set up and make this meeting extra special!
Happy Hour Fellowship on Thursday 2/29 at LaVita's Restaurant 301 N. Main Road. Meet at 5:15 pm. We will gather in the bar area where there are small tables and chairs for our gathering.
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS NOW FOR THE 2023-2024 ANNUAL DISTRICT
VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
Nominate a worthy Rotarian for this prestigious award.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 2, 2024
The award will be announced and presented by our District Governor at the upcoming annual District Conference on Saturday, May 4, 2024, to a Rotarian who through projects or actions in the past two Rotary years (2022-2024) has best exemplified the Rotary precepts of Vocational Service.
A worthy nominee could be someone who:
Mentors others, especially younger people or those in need
Helps train or teach skills that are useful to the individual, to the community, or to society generally.
Donates time and skills in his/her field to help serve those in need.
Designs, manages or is actively involved in service projects that further education or training or any project that in an innovative and sustainable way puts members’ vocational or professional skills to use in a way that shares and promotes them in others.
Gear up for the Madness! As the season opens up, enter today for a chance to be at the Final Four in Arizona! All donations will benefit FGCU Men’s Basketball. The winner of this sweepstakes will receive the following:
2 Tickets to the 2024 NCAA Final Four in Phoenix, AZ on April 6-8, 2024
2 Nights in a Hotel for 2 People
Round-trip Airfare to and from Phoenix for 2 People*
*The flight to Phoenix must originate within the continental US
Entry Deadline: 11:59pm 3/10/2024
Winner Selected: 10:00am 3/11/2024
Click the link below to get started! Select Rotary Club of Vineland
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