Port Chester Rotary Giving Back

Port Chester Rotarians have been helping their community in many ways over the last 90 years. Now the Port Chester/Rye Brook Rotary, the group is still active, always looking for ways to help local groups in need and to carry out the mission of the national Rotary Club.

Last week we told you about the Rotary’s Food2GrowOn program. After learning about a group of mothers who were volunteering their time to make sure children did not have to go hungry over the weekends, the Rotary took over the program, helped increase donations and expanded it to help more children.

“Food2GrownOn wasn’t our idea,” said Rotary President Jerry Ploss. “An individual in town needed some help so when we found out we offered to help.”

That is the Rotarian mindset, to offer help when it is needed. In addition to their work with Food2GrowOn, the Rotary gives out a $6,000 college scholarship every year. The selected student receives $1,500 per year for four years as long as he or she maintains good grades and stays in school.  The winner will be announced by the school district at the end of the school year. They also give a few other smaller $500 scholarships.

Recently, the Rotary donated all the gym equipment needed at the Salvation Army building in Port Chester.

 In addition to local work the rotarians also take on projects in other communities. After Super Storm Sandy ravaged New York’s Atlantic Coast, the rotary brought food, shovels, and brooms to families in need on Staten Island. They also worked on a $10,000 grant that, combined with other sources reached $68,000, to help buy and distribute appliances for a Staten island community center and in the area.

All of this charitable work is performed by the approximately 30 rotary members, who are all active community people who work together to make a difference.

 If you would like to become a member of the Port Chester Rotary, or learn how to be involved in their charitable work, contact a rotary member and let them know you are interested. You can visit their website at http://www.rotary7230.org/ourdistrict/clubprofile.asp?ID=29 .