Stories

AG Bina Awarded "Rotarian of the Year"

It is a proud day for our Club. Our VP Bina Ahmad was awarded the District's highest recognition - the Rotarian of the Year Award by outgoing District Governor Mary Shackleton, at the annual District Awards ceremony on Monday. The event took place via Zoom.

In awarding this honor to VP Bina, who is also the District's Area Assistant Governor for Area 5, DG Mary cited Bina's dedication, innovation, development of 2 new Clubs, social media activities and her support for the District's goals as the main factors for selecting her for this award. In receiving the award, VP Bina said she was humbled and honored to be selected for this award. In an emotionally choked voice, she said she believed teamwork was the key ingredient for success. She expressed her gratitude to DG Mary and thanked her for her outstanding leadership.

Bina joined the White Plains Rotary Club in June 2011 and transferred to the then East Yonkers Club July 2012. With the merger of the two Yonkers Rotary Clubs in July 2013, she has continued her membership in the Club. She was Club Rotary Foundation Chair for 4 years from 2015-16 and became Vice-President in 2019.

Congratulations Bina, you have made us proud!

Two Club Members IPDG Mahbub Ahmad, and PDG Matts Ingemanson also received the Service Above Self Awards.

In other District Awards, PDG Andy Morzello was given the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Jason Gonzalez received the "Rotarian of Vision Award".

Club Honors Ronnie Gantz for online Auction Success

During the pandemic our fundraising efforts came to a near standstill.Our good friend Ronnie Gantz stepped in to the rescue. Ronnie arranged online auctions at no cost to our Club featuring donated guitars signed by celebrities to be auctioned off online via the auction website Charitybuzz. 5 guitars went up for auction in the first lot. The second lot featured 10 guitars signed by Charlie Daniels, Axl Rose, Willie Nelson, Stash, Carly Simon, Sammy Hagar, Judy Collins and B. B. King.

The two auctions significantly replenished the Club's Foundation resources, permitting the Club to undertake projects which could not otherwise have been undertaken.

In recognition of his efforts to assist the Club with its much-needed fundraising efforts, the Club decided to honor Ronnie with a plaque. He was invited to an in-person meeting as our guest, where President Steve presented Ronnie with a special plaque.

Roundup of Club's COVID-related Projects

All through the COVID-19 pandemic, our Club has been very active in standing by our community. Here is a roundup of our projects since the beginning of the pandemic:

Provided funding to employees of Zuppa Restaurant who were laid off or dealing with reduced salary due to the pandemic shutdown.

Food drive and distribution of produce to the community in Dobbs Ferry (Satellite Club)

Obtained $2,500 emergency Grant from District 7230, to provide hot meals to local community.

Assisted with packaging food helping YCAP deliver food to homebound seniors and disabled who would not be able to get out of their homes during the pandemic

Donated PPE to community group YCAP so that they could continue their mission of supporting the community when PPE supplies were not available.

Delivered hot meals to hospital workers and first responders.

Partnered with other groups to deliver turkeys/chicken/veggies to the struggling Hispanic community so that they could have a thanksgiving turkey.

Supplied Pumpkins to the same community so that the children could celebrate Halloween during the pandemic.

Held a hot meal thanksgiving turkey meal distribution in south Yonkers partnering with our Mayor, City Council, and others

Provided PPE to Haiti and food for school children there to combat the virus

Partnered with the Michael Nolan Foundation to deliver blankets to people adversely affected by the pandemic and our homeless population

Delivered PPE kits to Lincoln Medical Center for Dr. Rajan Khanna and team. Efforts were made by Dimpy Gupta and Edgemont Rotary-Satellite Club.

Distributed 12,000 masks to local community organizations, made available by District 7230 through the generosity of the Rossi Family Foundation..

Club Distributes Masks to Local Community Organizations

Yonkers city and community leaders were at hand as the Yonkers-East Yonkers Club distributed over 10,000 masks to local community service organizations on Saturday 17 April 2021. These masks are part of the 5.5 million maks distributed by the Rossi Family Foundation and Rotary International via local Rotary Clubs in the North-East. Mayor Mike Spano, County Executive George Latimer, Deputy County Executive Ken Jenkins, City Council President Mike Khader, NYS Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, were present as were Rotary District Governor Mary Shackleton, President Steve Simpson, and Assistant Governor Bina Ahmad. Also attending were Immediate Past District Governor Mahbub Ahmad, Past District Governor Greg Arcaro, and District Governor Nominee-Designee J. Loren Russell - all are members of our Club.

The event, organized by Club COVID Committee Chair Maria Abdullah, was held at the Yonkers Christian Assembly premises on North Broadway. Representatives of Pamela's Big Heart Foundation, St. John's Hospital, the Fuller Center, and St. Joseph's Church collected the masks... Mayor Spano and County Executive Latimer both commended the Rotary Club for standing by the community and demonstrating compassion and solidarity with the community. District Governor Mary Shackleton, welcoming the assembled dignitaries said, "These masks are going to the underserved communities, so that the people who really need them, have protection." She said our Rotary District has raised and allocated nearly half-million dollars for COVID-related projects across our District. President Steve highlighted the fact that despite the pandemic, our Club has distributed thousands of meals, PPE Supplies, and other assistance to people in need. It is a demonstration of our Club's commitment to our community.

This is a story of service and leadership. It’s a story of how our District, Zone and Club responded to a crisis, rallied resources, put boots-on-the-ground to bring disparate and far-flung communities together to spread goodwill. Most importantly, it’s a story about working together and using our collective professional backgrounds through the Rotary network to make a difference. This project reinforces how Rotary uses its professional backgrounds, diverse perspectives, and global connections to change the world for the better.

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Club Observes Black History Month by Screening Civil Rights Documentary

The screening of the civil rights documentary "Brick By Brick" was the highlight of the Club's observance of Black History Month. The screening was followed by a panel discussion hosted by J. Loren Russell. Among the panelists were the producer of the Documentary Bill Kavanagh, who made the film availabe for screening, Attorney Michael Sussman who played an important role in movement, Dr. Jim Bostic, Gene Capello, Dr. Sharon Conn and our very own Greg Arcaro. Yonkers Assemblywoman Shanae Williams also made time to participate in the lively panel discussion.

President Steve welcomed everyone to the event saying he has been a resident of Yonkers for 21 years and he has seen some of the events depicted in the film. During the panel discussion, the panelists agreed that while we have come quite a ways from the 1989 Court decision, but much still needs to be done.. Bill Kavanagh said, this film took a while to put together particularly locating the original footage of the events of the time. Brick by Brick: A Civil Rights Story follows three families in a contemporary American battle for equal opportunity. One city's struggle over racial discrimination and how to redress long-standing institutional housing segregation is the subject of a confrontation that challenges and changes Yonkers, New York. Drawn deeply into the conflict, the people in Brick by Brick: A Civil Rights Story show how contemporary America confronts the issues of race and opportunity. Through their city's crucible, they deal with the meaning of civil rights in a current-day context.

This is second time that this documentary has been screened by our Club - the first screening was at the Will Library in Yonkers.

Past President J. Loren Russell selected as District Governor for 2023-24

The Yonkers-East Yonkers Club rises to the leadership role yet again. Our Past President Rev. J. Loren Russell will become the 11th District Governor for Rotary District 7230 from our Club, when he assumes the role on 1 July 2023.

Loren became Club President for the third time in 2015-16. It was during his presidency that the concept of the Basketball courts Global Grant was first approved by the Club.

Loren was formally named District Governor Nominee Designee on 23 January 2021. He will become District Governor Nominee on 1 July 2021, District Governor-Elect on 1 July 2022, and finally District Governor on 1 July 2023.

James ‘Loren’ Russell was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, where he and his wife (Evelyn) of soon-to-be thirty-two years currently reside.

Loren began his professional career as a life insurance agent, quickly rising to sales manager and then senior management. To fulfill his entrepreneurial ambitions, Loren established The JLR Company in 1992 to provide financial planning services in general, “Biblical Economics” services to the religious community, and motivational and developmental seminars and workshops. He served 7 years with the Southern Baptist Convention as the Northeast Strategy Coordinator, Regional Church Finance Consultant and Church Planting Coordinator for NYC.

Loren earned the Master’s of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary and received an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from Virginia University of Lynchburg. Through The JLR Company, Loren provides financial, strategic planning, and business consultations to churches, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses nationally, with a specialization in urban church strategies.

See his full Biography

Club Joins Rotary's "Million Mask Challenge"

Our Club participated in Rotary's "Million Mask Challenge", sponsored by Rotary International and The Rossi Foundation. On 14 January, a 26-foot truck, emblazoned on all sides with the Million Mask Challenge Tour message, brought 300,000 face masks to our Rotary District stopping at 3 distribution points - White Plains, Harlem and Staten Island. Our Club was allocated 6,000 surgical masks and 1,000 children's masks.

Representatives of 27 Clubs in Westchester and the Bronx gathered at the White Plains High School as the truck rolled in to be welcomed by District Governor Mary Shackleton, Westchester County Executive, George Latimer, White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, White Plains Schools Superintendent Joseph Ricca. Immediate Past District Governor, Mahbub Ahmad, and Assistant Governors, Gladys Muller (Area 1), John Ehrlich (area 2), Libby Hollahan (Area 4), Bina Ahmad (Area 5) and Sandy Wolstein (Area 6) supervised the distribution. In total, 115,000 surgical masks and 27,000 children's masks were allocated to the 27 Clubs in the White Plains stop. Club Member Maria Abdullah collected the masks on behalf of President Steve Simpson.

District Governor Mary Shackleton, welcoming the assembled dignitaries said, "These masks are going to go to some of the underserved communities, food pantries, public housing, so that the people who really need them, have protection."

This is a story of service and leadership. It’s a story of how our District and Zone responded to a crisis, rallied its resources, put boots-on-the-ground to bring disparate and far-flung communities together to spread goodwill. Most importantly, it’s a story about working together and using our collective professional backgrounds through the Rotary network to make a difference.

The masks were made available to Rotary by Rotarian Ted Rossi of the Rotary Club of East Hampton, Connecticut and the President of the Rossi Foundation. This is how Rotarian Rossi summed up his motivations for the project:

“The states are not able to deliver to smaller community organizations and nursing homes, so I realized this is perfect for Rotary. We could facilitate the supply of masks that Rotary clubs can take and distribute in small lots within their communities. What started out as a small project snowballed into something really big.”

This project reinforces how Rotary uses its professional backgrounds, diverse perspectives, and global connections to change the world for the better. We were able to secure extensive media exposure for Rotary, with the help of iHeart media, News 12, ABC News.

Club Sends Food Supplies for Haitian Children

An amazing partnership came together to bring food supplies to the children of Haiti. Our Club partnered with the Heritage E-Club, and Century 21 Royal to send urgently needed food supplies for children in Haiti. The Club Board approved $600 from our Foundation as seed money for the project. Other Club Members, notable among them George John, VP Bina, PDG Mahbub, PDG Greg Arcaro and Aura Latif provided additional donations of cash and supplies of nearly $2000, while 3 members of the HeritageNY Rotary Club provided donations of more than $850 to cover the cost of purchasing the food, supplies, barrels and shipment.

On 10 November, Father Philippe Charles, co-ordinator of the project, together with George John purchased the supplies. Friend of Rotary Paul Porooshasp provided his pickup truck to haul the supplies to George's office at Century 21 Royal. VP Bina, PDG Mahbub helped George, Paul and Philippe to unload the supplies consisting of 300 lbs of rice, 150 lbs of flour, 300 lbs of beans, 80 lbs of oatmeal, 64 lbs of pasta, 12 gallons of cooking oil, corn flakes, peanut butter, tomato paste, sardines and dry milk. Century 21 Royal agents Jithin Varghese and Stanley Matthew provided 3000 masks while Ashsh Joseph of UNMB Mortgage donated bulk packs of noodle soup.

The next day Rotarians and other volunteers gathered at the Century 21 Royal office and packed all the supplies into 6 barrels donated by Jeffrey Landsman for shipment to Haiti. The barrels will be delivered to the Rotary Club of Delmas-Centre in Port au Prince. They will be distributed through the Administrator of the Sainte Thérèse de L’Enfant Jésus’ School and Maria - one of the most reliable humanitarian groups in Haiti.

In the next few days, a 7th barrel will be assembled with clothing, school supplies for shipment to Haiti.

See a video of the project

Club Contributes to End Polio

October 24 is World Polio Day. This year's observance is particularly significant because it marks the achievement of another milestone in Rotary's 41-year battle against polio - The African continent being declared polio-free.

Our Club has always been in the forefront of supporting the world campaign for polio eradication. In August, our Club contributed just over $9,000 to The Rotary Foundation's End Polio Fund bringing our Club's total contribution over the last 5 Rotary years to a little over $70,000..

In 1988, there were an estimated 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries, when Rotary International and the World Health Organization launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.. In the year 2000, a record 550 million children - almost 10% of the world's population received the oral polio vaccine. By 2003 Rotary's total contribution to polio eradication exceeded $500 million and only six countries remained polio endemic.

In 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation begins its matching grants challenge by which any amount raised by Rotary for polio eradication is matched 2 to 1 by the Foundation. By 2011 Rotary's funding exceeded $1 billion and by the following year, only 3 countries - Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan were Polio endemic. This year 2020, saw Nigeria and the African continent, being declared polio-free. And only a few weeks ago, Dr. Tunji Funsho, chair of Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee, is one of TIME Magazine's Most Influential People for 2020 for his contributions to the eradication of wild polio in the African region. Read his story: http://endpol.io/tftime

In observance of World Polio Day, the Disrict has drawn up an elaborate program of virtual events, fundraisers, panel discussions, bike-athon, walkathons, Oktoberfest, and an online video contest. See more information:

Club Achieves Presidential Citation

Our Club has achieved the 2019-20 Rotary Presidential Citation -Platinum level - the highest Rotary honor for a Club and a very rare accomplishment for a Club to achieve this honor 4 years in a row. It is a fitting tribute to our Club in it's centennial year.. The award was announced by our very own 2019-20 District Governor Mahbub Ahmad in a letter to President Steve Simpson and all members of the Club.

The Presidential Citation is awarded to a Club which achieves a set number of preassigned goals in two categories - Unite People and Take Action - like membership growth and retention, service projects, contributions to the Rotary Foundation, augmenting Rotary's public image, among others, Those Clubs achieving the goals in these two categories then compete for Platinum, Gold or Silver Awards depending on the number of additional goals they are able to achieve in a third Category.

Our Club is only one of three out of the 44 Clubs in our District to achieve the Platinum Award. A total of 10 Clubs achieved the various levels of the Presidential Citation,

Past District Governor Mahbub congratulated President Steve for his dynamic leadership and thanked all members of the Club for their diligent work in bringing the honor to not only their Club but also to the District. He paid tribute to the memory of Shahid Latif, President of the Club during the first part of 2019-20.. President Shahid would have been thrilled at this achievement of his dear Club.

Club Sponsors new Satellite Club

Posted on Aug 14, 2020

Even before the pandemic Rotary has been thinking ahead and planning for the Rotary of tomorrow, where Clubs will be innovative with new types of Clubs, new membership categories, new ways of meeting.

Responding to this call, our Club has taken the lead and sponsored a new Satellite Club. A satellite club functions as a short-term, transitional step on the way to becoming a full, independent Rotary club. This allows interested persons to become Rotarians without meeting the requirement of having at least 20 persons to organize a separate Rotary club. The Rotary Satellite Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers-Edgemont was officially approved by Rotary International in February of 2020 with 9 members. Following a period of organization the new Club has begun its regular activities.

Satellite clubs set up their own board and have their own officers. However, instead of a President, a

satellite club has a Chair. Atul Saxena is the Chair of the new Satellite Club while Parul Bhatnagar is our Club's adviser to the Satellite Club to help it learn about Rotary and its activities. The 9 members are mostly residents of the Edgemont area and hope to increase their membership and charter their own Club. Our Club is extending its full support to the new Rotarians and their nascent Club. The Club has been assigned to the District's Area 5, with our own Bina Ahmad as the Assistant Governor. .

Our Next Community Service Project

Club Honors COVID Warriors

During the pandemic, our Club has continued its activities in service of the Community. Club members regularly provided food supplies to the needy in our community. Partnering with sister organizations, like Gullotta House, and local restaurants, our Club made available hundreds of freshly-prepared hot meals, every week. Some of our Club members took on these responsibilities by being there for the community. While the virus was raging, they did not hide from it - rather they came out to fight against it and its impact on our community.

The Club Board decided to honor these brave COVID warriors with Paul Harris Fellow recognitions. The honorees are:


Steve Simpson (President)	Tim Hodges (President-Elect)	Greg Arcaro (Secretary)

George John (Membership Chair)		Father Philippe (Sergeant-at-Arms)

Congratulations, Warriors!

Club gives out High School Scholarships

Posted on Jul 31, 2020

Our evening meeting on 29 July was a special event. The Club presented 2 Community Service Awards of $1,000 each to two graduating High School seniors - Honor Pickering and Christopher Antonelli.

Mayra Tepan, Chair of the Youth Service Committee spoke about how this project was one of the Club’s activities to promote community service and that the Club’s Board supported the Committee’s recommendation to provide $1,000 awards to the following two high school graduates:

Honor Pickering (left) of Riverside High School was the first recipient of the scholarship. She spoke about her community service and plans for attending college

Christopher Antonelli (right) of Archbishop Stepanic High School was the second recipient. He spoke about his community service and plans for attending college

President Steve thanked Honor and Chris for their community service, wished them success, presented them with (virtual) checks and encouraged them to join us at a future Club meeting!

Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of awards to 4 graduating seniors who are members of the Interact Club of Sacred Heart School.

Club to Honor Yonkers Principal

Posted on Jul 26, 2020

Principal Jade Sharp of Yonkers Middle School has been selected by the Yonkers Board of Education as the Administrator of the Year. Principal Jade will be honored at a special meeting of the Club in the Fall..

“There are many extraordinary educators throughout our District,” noted Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin M. Quezada, Principal Sharp, is a consummate knowledgeable professional, he said .

“Yonkers is fortunate to have many talented teachers and administrators,” said Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano. “These awards are an opportunity for our Yonkers Public Schools community to publicly recognize the incredible contributions great teachers have on the academic, social and emotional development of our children. The Mayor congratulated Principal Sharp, saying, she has proven to go above and beyond to make the difference our students need and deserve..

The Leadership in Education Award, also known as the Administrator of the Year, is presented to an administrator who personifies the spirit, dedication and accomplishments of an outstanding instructional leader. For several decades, the Rotary Club of Yonkers sponsored this award. When they merged with East Yonkers Rotary, they vowed to carry-on the tradition cosponsored with the Board of Education.

“The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers is pleased to partner with the Yonkers Board of Education in presenting the 2020 Leadership in Education Award to Jade Sharp, Principal of Yonkers Middle High School,” noted Rotary Club President, Steve Simpson. “Rotary’s motto is ‘Service Above Self’ and, for us, the Leadership in Education Award recognizes the importance that administrative leadership plays in helping today’s students learn and become tomorrow’s community-minded leaders.”

Yonkers Rotary first partnered with the Board of Education to present this award in 1986. Rotary President Simpson added, “At that time there were 18,850 students enrolled in Yonkers public schools. While the times have certainly changed, and the school district has grown to over 26,000 students, the importance of education and leaders who are passionate and effective has not changed and our Rotary Club is pleased to recognize Jade Sharp as this year’s Leader in Education.”

COVID-19 RESPONSE ACTIVITIES:

Posted on Jun 22, 2020

Y-EY Works with Gullotta House to feed Westchester

Our Club has been working with Gullotta House to help provide on-the-job meals to Yonkers Hospital staff, EMS, police, and Fire Departments. The Club has provided a grant to help offset the cost of these meals. Gullotta House - a fully volunteer organization, pooled resources from other organizations to continue providing meals not only to our frontline responders but also to homebound and needy seniors and families.

PPE Supplies for St John's Hospital

The AFYA Foundation, based in Yonkers, through the good offices of the Club and District, provided 1,000 Face shields and 700 masks to the Emergency Room staff at St. John's Riverside Hospital., Additional supplies being procured for the Hospital.

Club Donates funds for wait staff at Zuppa Restaurant

The Club has been meeting at Zuppa Restaurant for some time for our evening meetings. However, with the outbreak of the pandemic and the stay-at-home situation, the Club has switched to online meetings. The Restaurant is closed and the wait staff thee are no longer able to work. The Club decided to repurpose some of the money, members would have spent on lunches at the restaurant and donate these funds to the wait staff there to help them tide over the current difficulties.

Club Food-Packing for Seniors Continues

The Club has continued its food-packing project for homebound seniors and the handicapped in partnership with Yonkers Community Action Program -YCAP. Club volunteers have been packing over 100 bags of food every few weeks for delivery to those in need.

Club convenes online meetings

Our Club has responded to the current situation by setting up online meetings. Through a program of support from the District, the club has been conducting its regular Club meetings as well as Board meetings via Zoom Conference calling. Attendance has been at par with our regular in-person meetings, Most members agreed that Club business is being conducted efficiently but they do miss the fellowship that the in-person meetings offered.

Community Service Grants - 2020

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers is a non-profit organization that has been promoting fellowship, ethical business relationships, and community projects since 1920.

This year, as we have for many years, our Club will award up to 10 grants (maximum $ 750 each) to 501(c)3 organizations in support of projects that benefit Yonkers residents.

The deadline for applications was April 15th.
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Grant announcements will be made by May 15th.

Club Gears up for Virtual meetings

In view of the escalating situation with the COVID-19 virus, the safety and well-being of our members is of primary concern. The Club is adhering to the recommendation of social distancing to stem the spread of the virus.

To that end, President Steve Simpson has announced some measures to continue the work of the Club. In-person Club Meetings have been cancelled for the next six weeks and will be replaced by online meetings. He has also announced that our clubs monthly food packing service project for homebound seniors and disabled persons will continue on Wednesday 18 March with a skeleton crew of members with the appropriate sanitary protection measures in place. Those members who feel uncomfortable or have any underlying health conditions are advised to remain at home. He said, "while we are taking any and all measures to ensure the safety of our members, we will not abandon our motto of Service Above Self. These homebound seniors and disabled persons depend on our help in packing their food supplies and we simply cannot abandon them when they themselves are also in great need of our assistance."

The planned wine-tasting fundraiser scheduled for 19 March has been postponed. The other upcoming events are being reviewed and appropriate decisions will be taken in due course.

District Governor Mahbub Ahmad in a message to all Rotarians in the District said "our primary goals are three-fold. to ensure the continued safety of our members and their families,contribute to all containment efforts, and ensure that we ourselves do not contribute towards spreading the disease." He advised Clubs to use judgment and discretion, when it comes to club meetings and events. Canceling or postponing meetings or Rotary-related travel, might be appropriate. Many Clubs are postponing or canceling regular in-person meetings, or holding them online, or by phone. To help with these efforts, the District will offer it's Zoom Video Conference Facilities and its teleconference setup to all Clubs in the District at no cost.

Past President Schildwachter Passes Away

We are saddened to announce that David C.Schildwachter, Sr, Past President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Club 2012-2015, and Past Assistant Governor (2015-16) for D7230, passed away on Monday 16 March, after a short illness.

Born in 1933, Dave joined the then East Yonkers Club in 2011 and was President of the Club during the time of the merger with the Yonkers Club. He continued as President for a total of three terms from July 2012 to June 2015, when he was appointed Assistant Governor for the District for the Rotary Year 2015-16.

We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Wendy and to his extended family. May his soul rest in peace.

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Holiday Gathering and Award Ceremony

Posted on Dec 20, 2019

During this festive holiday season, Club members, friends and guests gathered on Wednesday 18 December, at the Castle Royale in Yonkers for the traditional annual holiday gathering. One of the highlights of this year's gathering was the presentation of the 2019 President's Spirit of Service Award.

The first recipient of this new service award was Community Leader Pedro Alvarez, who was recognized for his "Outstanding Devotion and Service to the Latin American Youth of Yonkers" and his dedication to the ideals of Rotary.

Another highlight of the gathering was the distribution of toys for young children. Attendees were asked to bring in unwrapped toys that were then distributed to deserving Yonkers children.

Club Provides Turkeys for Hostos School

Posted on Dec 01, 2019

At Thanksgiving, we are thankful for all the blessings we have received. Yet there are also those who do not have a square meal. Our Club joined in with our new sister Club - the Rotary e-Club of Heritage New York, to bring a little Thanksgiving joy to some families. This year our Club provided 13 turkeys, and the HeritageNY Club added 5 more to donate a total of 18 turkeys to the families of underprivileged children at the Eugenia Maria de Hostos Micro-Society School in Yonkers. Treasurer Barbara Hanna purchased the Club's 13 turkeys, funded by donations from Club members and the Club. On Wednesday she delivered all 18 to the School. The recipients of the turkeys were chosen by the teachers and designated as "winners" in a turkey raffle. These turkeys will provide the recipient families with a Thanksgiving meal and perhaps a few more leftover meals too.

This is the third year that the Club has undertaken the donation of Thanksgiving turkeys to the Hostos School. It has made a difference to the families at this time of year.

Our Club firmly believes in participating in projects which will benefit our local community as well as communities across the world. In the true spirit of Rotary, every little bit helps. As volunteers, individually we can only do so much. But together as Rotarians, we can change our world. Thanks to Barbara for taking this initiative and doing the heavy lifting to bring smiles to the families - a perfect example of "Service Above Self".

Club Project gets Cover Story in "The Rotarian"

Posted on Nov 12, 2019

The Yonkers-East Yonkers Club's Global Grant project of building a Basketball court and organizing the Anti-bullying program for underprivileged kids secured the cover story and a 6-page center story of the November issue of the Rotarian Magazine. The story is also featured in the RSS Feed from MyRotary. The story's byline notes "In Yonkers, New York, a new basketball court four years in the making provides valuable life lessons to the community's kids - and its adults."

This is only the second time a project from a Club in our District is featured as a cover story in the magazine, which is sent out to all Rotarians either in print form or in digital form. The six-page article features a center spread on the Yonkers skyline and the main story has 2 pictures - one showing the children playing at the new court and a second picture, showing Rotarian Tim Hodges, Deputy Chief of the Yonkers Police Department surrounded by the children in blue Rotary T-Shirts listening to him talk about handling bullies.

The story is written by Bryan Smith, senior writer at Chicago magazine, and the author of The Breakaway: The Inside Story of the Wirtz Family Business and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Read the entire story and see the pictures

Steve Simpson takes over as President

Posted on Oct 23, 2019

Steve Simpson was formally installed as the Club's new President, following the sudden passing away of President Shahid Latif on 9 October 2019. The Club Board and membership unanimously voted to install Steve as President and Bina Ahmad as Vice-President for the remainder of the current term. He will continue his role as President-Elect and as Club President for 2020-21. . District Governor Mahbub Ahmad administered the oath of office to the newly-elected President and Vice-President.

Upon taking office, President Steve paid tribute to the leadership and service of the late President.and pledged to continue his legacy He said he would try to implement the activities and projects that had been initiated by Shahid.

Steve is the Deputy Chief of the Yonkers Auxiliary Police and has been the President-Elect of the Club for the current year.

Club President Shaw Latif Is No More

Posted on Oct 09, 2019

Known throughout the District and beyond for his passion and zeal in Rotary's fight against Polio, Centennial President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Club,and District Polio Plus Committee Co-Chair Shaw Latif suddenly passed away today, 9 October. A kind, gentle and generous soul, Shaw was a Major Donor Level 2 to The Rotary Foundation. He joined Rotary in May 2004 and this was his second stint as Club President. Shaw has been District Polio Plus Committee Chair for a number of years and organized a large fundraiser for Polio Plus in April 2018. He was deeply involved in the planning of his Club's April 2020 centennial observance, as well as a fundraising gala for Polio Plus this November. Shaw loved wearing his numerous Rotary pins with his bow ties and was seen at many Rotary events with his camera snapping pictures of almost everyone present. One of his last District appearances was with his District Polio Plus Committee Co-Chair Eileen Gallagher at the Chappaqua Club on Tuesday, speaking passionately about the importance of the complete eradication of Polio. On Wednesday, he was presiding over the Club's Regular meeting, when he felt unwell and left the meeting.. Minutes after he left the meeting, he suddenly passed out. He was rushed to the White Plains Hospital, where all efforts to revive him failed.

Club President-Elect Steve Simpson, announced the sad news to Club members in an email sent out by Secretary Barbara Hanna.

In a message, District Governor Mahbub Ahmad recalled Shaw's extensive contribution towards Rotary's causes and the passion with which he approached the fight against Polio. His Club, District and the Rotary family have lost a dedicated and exemplary Rotarian. On behalf of District 7230, DG Mahbub extended his deepest condolences to Shaw's bereaved family and fellow Rotarians.

"Although fate has struck Shaw down, it is not victorious as Shaw did so much to aid others in need and his life was victorious through the lives of all those that he aided."

Shaw is survived by his wife Aura Latif and his 3 children, Anissa, Raisza and Adam.

Joint Project for Haiti is Underway

Posted on Oct 06, 2019

The needs of the people of Haiti continue to be great. It seems that most of the world has moved on and forgotten about the Haitian people. Not so for our Club member and Sergeant-at-Arms Father Philippe Charles, who has launched a project with the blessings of the Club to send essential supplies to the impoverished people there. He has been collecting supplies from friends, family and his congregation.

Recently, President Shaw and the Club approved funds to ship the supplies there. On Sunday, 6 October, Father Philippe stopped by the house of a Club member in Yonkers to collect a sewing machine, many bags of clothing, including men's and women's suits and ties, cooking utensils, household items and children's games.

One good deed deserves another. The project turned out to be a joint project between our Club and the newly formed HeritageNY e-Club, when a member of that Club stepped up and donated $200 for the purchase of non-perishable food items like flour, rice, sugar, pasta, beans. Amazing how good intentions beget more...

Father Philippe and volunteers will pack these materials into barrels and ship them to Haiti in a container which will be received by a local Rotary Club and distributed to needy people there.

DG visits Home Club

Posted on Sep 05, 2019

District Governor Mahbub Ahmad paid his official visit to his Home Club - the Yonkers-East Yonkers Club, on Wednesday, 4 September. He was accompanied by District First Lady and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad. He was welcomed by President Shaw Latif, Club Officers and PDG Matts Ingemanson. On the occasion of his visit the DG inducted new member Wilner Luctamer.

The DG also met with the members of the Board before the meeting and exchanged ideas with the Board Members. He highlighted upcoming District events, like the District Conference 26 October), the On To Bermuda (31 October to 3 November), World Polio Day events (24 October) and Rotary Day at the UN (9 November). He emphasized the importance of growing Rotary in terms of not only membership but also through growing Club activities, programs and giving to the Rotary Foundation.

At the meeting, attended by a cross section of members, Governor Mahbub congratulated past President Sundra Lee-Ingemanson for achieving the Rotary Presidential citation for the third year in a row. He exhorted the Club members and President Shaw to strive for the Citation this year too, which would be a fitting achievement for the 100th anniversary of the Club which will be coming up in April 2020. He pointed out that Clubs are the face of Rotary to the world, so the only way that the District and Rotary International would shine, is when the Clubs shine. He was confident that the Club would continue to engage in the many hands-on projects that bring much-needed assistance to our local community.

Governor Mahbub highlighted the importance of giving to the Rotary Foundation emphasizing that the giving was not one-way - because the money comes back to the District to be allocated as District and Global Grants.

Club participates in National Night Out

Posted on Aug 06, 2019

Our Club participated in the Yonkers Precincts' National Night Out observances on Tuesday 6 August from 6 to 9 pm. Our Club had a table with information about the Club's activities, and brochures on membership at the 1st Precinct's location at Andrus Field while a similar table was set up at the 4th Precinct's location at the JFK Marina.

Past Presidents Sundra Ingemanson, and Alix Schnee, as well asTim Hodges and our Honorary member Jim Letsen, were at the Club table at the Marina, handing out brochures about the Club and talking to visitors about our activities. Other Club members were at Andrus Field. District Governor Mahbub Ahmad and his wife, our Club's Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, visited both locations. At the Marina, the Governor met with Mayor Mike Spano and City Council President Mike Khader.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. National Night Out was developed as a crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community. Community involvement in crime prevention is generated through a multitude of local events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth activities, and seminars. Local organizations set up tables with giveaways, while local restaurants provided plenty of food and light drinks at the locations.

The Yonkers Police Precincts organized special events on National Night Out. This is the third time our Club participated in this observance at Andrus Field and the fourth time at the JFK Marina. Here are some pictures of the events at both locations.

Grant Recipient: Untermeyer Performing Arts Council

Posted on Jun 11, 2019

Club Officers & Leadership Seminar 2019

Posted on May 05, 2019

The Club Officers and Leadership Seminar 2019 took place on Saturday 11 May at Sarah Lawrence College (Bates Center for Student Life). An exciting and comprehensive program was drawn up for the Seminar, which began at 9 am.

District Governor-Elect Mahbub Ahmad opened the Seminar. There were Plenary sessions on:

District Support for Local & International Service Projects

Social Media - by Social Media expert Robin Colner

Youth Service Projects.

There were three concurrent Hands-on workshops:

Workshop 1 Club 101: Managing your club: Good Housekeeping, Records and Reporting

Workshop 2 Grants: District and Global Grants: Grant Benefits, Applications and Process

Workshop 3 Rotary Online: Helping your club grow : RI & District Online Resources

Attendance at the Seminar was important for Clubs because it provided certification for District & Global Grants to Clubs. Without this certifications Clubs will not be eligible to apply for District Grants next year.

District Trainer PDG Greg Arcaro and incoming District Secretary Vincent Coakley, incoming District Rotary Foundation Chair PDG Lora Hugelmeyer, incoming District Grants Committtee Chair David Schribman, incoming District Public Image Chair Amir Asadi, RYLA Committee Chair PDG David DelMonte, incoming District Technology Director Robert Neshovski and Peace Fellowships Sub-Committee Chair Merva Faddoul were seminar leaders.

Club participates in Sponsoring District Service Project

Posted on Apr 24, 2019

The Club is a sponsor of the District Service Project at Snug Harbor in Staten Island, in conjunction with the 2018-19 District Conference..

The Healing Garden is a living memorial to the 267 Staten Islanders who perished on September I I, 200 I. It quietly evokes the healing power of trees as symbols of life and renewal. Located on one acre of forested hillside, the woodland garden overlooks 20 acres of officially mapped wetlands. The garden was officially completed and opened to the public in September 2008. The Healing Garden's winding paths lead you through a mix of hardwood, canopy, and understory trees, such as cherry, Norway maple, honey locust, willow, horse chestnut, sassafras, silver maple, and red oak. Commemorative benches sit among shrubs and perennial planting displays. The mix of foliage is sublime in spring, summer, and autumn. A stone "Wall of Remembrance" features four cast iron faces in an ancient Roman grotesque style, where water flows from each of them into a reflecting pool and along cobblestone culverts lining the walkways. The four faces represent the four seasons and the cycle of life.

Get Ready for 2019 District Conference

Posted on Apr 24, 2019

Successful Pancake Breakfast

Posted on Apr 10, 2019

Sunday, 7 April from 9 am to 12 noon was our biggest event of the year - The 24th Annual Pancake Breakfast. As in earlier years, St. John's Riverside Hospital hosted our event. While it is called the Pancake Breakfast, it is much more than that. For the nominal $10 admission there was not only a full all-you-can-eat breakfast, but also a large number of prizes, from Large-Screen LED TV, restaurant food vouchers, baskets of cheer, and many more.

There was a 50/50 raffle and door prizes.

We are grateful to many local businesses and individuals who have donated prizes or money towards the event. Our biggest sponsor is the St. John's Riverside Hospital which hosted the Breakfast. The funds raised at this event will go towards scholarships for deserving Yonkers High School students going on to college, providing grants to community organizations for projects like traveling farm visits, Summer Day Camp for underprivileged children, Fitness through walking, Community Gardens program, Planting gardens with youths with emotional/physical disabilities and incarcerated youths/adults, Kinship Summer Youth Program (for children who are being raised by grandparents), and Art therapy after-school program for children.

All donors were recognized at the event and year-round on our website.

Club Recognizes Polio Donors

The Club organized a Polio awareness event and recognized Donors who contributed to the cause of eradicating Polio. The event was held on 9 March 2019 at J.C. Fogarty's in Bronxville. District officials along with awardees, local Rotary Club members and guests were present.

Here is a link to the photo Album.

Dream Court Opens

Posted on Mar 04, 2019

It was an international partnership that brought this project to Yonkers. The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club endorsed Pete Spano’s idea in early 2015, and along with support from local Rotary District 7230 and a South Korean Rotary Club and their District, received approval for a Rotary International Foundation Global Grant - making the Rotary Organization the largest single donor towards this project. .Leonard Spano, executive director at the Westchester School for Special Children, joined the partnership, seeing the need for these refurbished courts in the community. Mayor Spano, along with the departments of public works, planning and development, and parks and recreation, as well as the Yonkers Community Agency Development Board, approved the removal of the current court – which was in poor shape – put new asphalt over the court and made other improvements in the park.

This entire partnership - which took 4 years from concept to implementation - highlights Rotary's vision - “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Winter Basketball & Anti-Bullying Program concludes

Posted on Jan 04, 2019

The first phase of a great Winter Basketball and Anti-bullying program for 4th to 7th graders has just concluded. Sponsored by our Club, in partnership with the Yonkers Police Athletic League and YMCA, the program met for the last 6 Saturdays of 2018. The last session of the Winter season was celebrated with a Pizza Party and certificates were handed out to the participants.

The program is part of the Rotary International Global Grant Project which brought together an amazing partnership of Rotary Clubs and like-minded organizations. Club Member Pete Spano conceived the project and through his persistence and with the help of Past District Governor Janet DiBenedetto received support of a Rotary Club in South Korea. Together, with the fund-raising by the Nancy Lieberman Foundation, the Rotary Foundation provided matching grants for the construction 2 Basketball Courts in Yonkers and organizing 2 programs providing Anti-Bullying training and a Basketball Clinic for young people in Yonkers.

Both Yonkers organizations - the Police Athletic League and the YMCA provided valuable knowledge, and life lessons to the youth in our community. Thanks also to SportsNet New York (SNY) Play Ball for seeing value in what we're doing, and donating basketballs to our program.

The Programs were run by Pete Spano, Tom Meier, Barbara Hanna. Past District Governor Greg Arcaro was a special mentor for the Program. Thanks to all of the parents, coaches, teachers, leaders, mentors, and children that participated.

Club joins 1st Precinct Community Council in Support of My Sister's Place

Posted on Dec 14, 2018

The Club teamed up with the Yonkers First Precinct Community Council to support a holiday drive for My Sister's Place. The Club provided a grant of $500 for the purchase of essential supplies for the women housed in their shelters. Personal care items and clothing will be given to the women in their Shelters.

My Sisters’ Place strives to end domestic violence and human trafficking through comprehensive services, advocacy, and community education. MSP works to create a world in which every individual has the basic human rights to be free from gender based violence and to engage in relationships that embrace the principles of respect, equality, and safety.

Through direct services, the organization supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking, in seeking safety, self-determination, and justice. Through advocacy, it acts as a force for social change in law and public policy. Through community education, it challenges public perceptions of intimate violence and the social inequities that give rise to it, and it promotes prevention with a special emphasis on youth.

Through support from various organizations My Sister's Place was able to reach 15,000 individuals this year.

Club Sponsors New Interact Club

Posted on Dec 08, 2018

The brand new Interact Club of the Sacred Heart High School is now Official !

After months of behind-the-scenes work, getting the young people lined up, informing them about Rotary, Interact and the great potential of Interact, PDG Greg Arcaro and former Club Secretary Peggy Murphy, supported by Sacred Heart High School Faculty Anne Murphy, the Club was officially chartered. Following receipt of all the required paperwork, District Governor Krishnan Chittur approved the application and forwarded it to Rotary International. Rotary International President Barry Rassin signed the Charter on 7 December.

Interact is Rotary International's service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs, which provide support and guidance, but they are self-governing and self-supporting. Club membership varies greatly. Clubs can be single gender or mixed, large or small. Interact clubs bring together young people to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. There are 20,372 Interact Clubs in the world today with 468,556 members, in 159 countries.

Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding. Rotary club sponsors mentor and guide Interactors as they carry out projects and develop leadership skills.

Rotary Spearheads Making Yonkers Dream Come True

Posted on Nov 21, 2018

The Barton Park Basketball Court as it is today and is where the first of the 2 Dream Courts will be built, thanks to the amazing Partnership of the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers, the Rotary International Foundation, a Rotary Club in South Korea, the Nancy Lieberman Foundation, the World Ventures Foundation, the City of Yonkers, the PAL and YMCA.

The first of two outdoor courts in Yonkers will be at Barton Park later this fall with a second basketball court in the works to be rebuilt in the spring of 2019. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be scheduled at the completion of the courts.

Pete’s dream to refurbish basketball courts in Yonkers started with his fundraising from individual contributors. “I understand great things cannot be done without great partnerships,” says Pete. “We have great partners like Nancy Lieberman’s DreamCourts Foundation and World Ventures Foundation who supported the project along with providing the high-quality specifications for the two courts.

The basketball and anti-bullying program will be for 30 students selected by Yonkers PAL and YMCA, who are also partners in this project. The students will meet on six consecutive Saturdays beginning on November 24, 2018. This program will have indoor winter sessions and outdoor summer sessions all free for the youth of Yonkers. Pete Spano, Barbara Hanna, Shawn Jenkins and Tom Meier Jr. will be spearheading this program. Yonkers Mayor Spano will be visiting the session on Saturday, 8 December.

It was an amazing international partnership that has brought this new and exciting program to Yonkers.

The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club endorsed Pete’s idea in early 2015 and alongwith support from local Rotary District 7230 and a South Korean Rotary Club received approval for a Rotary International Foundation Global Grant.

Leonard Spano, Executive Director at the Westchester School for Special Children joined the partnership seeing the need for these refurbished courts in the community.

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, DPW, Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation Department along with the Yonkers Community Agency Development Board approved the removal of the current court which is in very poor shape, put new asphalt over the court and make other improvements in the park.

Club donates Thanksgiving Turkeys

Posted on Nov 20, 2018

Our Club and friends of Rotary, together donated 32 turkeys to the underprivileged children at the Eugenia Maria de Hostos Micro-Society School in Yonkers. Club Member Barbara Hanna was able to get the turkeys at a steep discount from our local ShopRite and deliver them to the School. The recipients of the turkeys were chosen by the teachers and designated as "winners" in a turkey raffle.

This is the second year that the Club has undertaken the donation of Thanksgiving Turkeys to the Hostos School. It has made a difference to the families at this time of year.

Thanks to Barbara for taking this initiative and doing the heavy lifting to bring smiles to the families - perfect example of "Service Above Self".

Club donates Pajamas for "Stuff-a-Bus" Program

Posted on Nov 08, 2018

This year the Club once again participated in the "Stuff-A-Bus" Pajama Program in collaboration with the Yonkers Chamber and other organizations. The drive ended on 8 November with the donation of the collection of Pajamas and books after a School Bus made the rounds collecting garments and arrived at the Yonkers Montessori Academy.

On behalf of the Club, Club Past President and District Governor-Elect Mahbub Ahmad, Club Secretary Seeme Asad and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, handed over the collected donations of pajamas to the School.

The Pajama Program provides new pajamas and new books to children in need locally and nationwide, many of whom are waiting to be adopted. These children live in group homes, shelters and temporary housing facilities and are shuffled often from one place to another. Many of them have been abandoned, abused or neglected. Most of these children have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a parent tuck them in at bedtime with warm, clean pajamas and a bedtime story. Some of the children are living with their families below the poverty level, in desperate need of food, clothing and shelter. These two simple gifts of pajamas and books let the children know that someone cares - sometimes these are the only new things they have ever received.

Who are these children who receive the Pajamas and Books?

Children in need ranging from newborn to age 18.
Children who are living 200% below the poverty level.
Children of teenage pregnancies with parents who struggle to take care of them.
Children who are homeless and living in shelters.
Children who come to the shelter without any clothing or belongings.
Children in foster care.
Children who are youth of incarcerated parents.
Children who have been physically or emotionally abused and neglected.
Children who are emotionally traumatized.
Children who have been abandoned.
Children who are in head start programs.

DG Visits our Club

Posted on Oct 04, 2018

DG Kris Chittur paid his official visit to the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers on Wednesday 3 October 2018.. A special Board meeting was organized to welcome the DG and appraise him of the Club's activities. Following the Board meeting the DG stayed on for the regular Club meeting and exchanged ideas with Club Members.

Lauding our Club as one of the vibrant Clubs in the District, DG Kris Chittur commended the past Presidents of the Club for leading the Club to where it is today. He particularly congratulated the Club and Past President Alix Schnee on achieving the Presidential Citation the second year in a row. He was confident that the Club do the same this year. DG Kris also presented the Paul Harris Fellow pins to President-Elect Shahid Latif and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, saying contributions to the Rotary International Foundation are extremely important. He emphatically said "it is your money that is feeding a destitute child in India, or sending another child to school in remote Africa or providing clean drinking water to communities in Latin America. It is your money that has brought the world so close to ending Polio".

He assured the Club and President Sundra Lee that the District is ready to assist with anything the Club needs. He asked the Club members to "think Big" and "go for it!"

Visiting PDG Michael Caruso from Oregon also attended the meeting.

Concert for Library for Liberia

Posted on Sep 10, 2018

Mark Your Calendars! October 20, 2018. Yonkers Rotary Rocks

Enjoy a Concert to raise funds to build a Library for the kids in Liberia. The Oldies band Alive and Kicken will be performing at the Will Library Auditorium on Saturday, 20 October 2018 from 7:00 to 10 PM. Join in - have Fun and help a great cause. Doors Open at 6:30. Enjoy a pre-concert bake sale from 6:30 to 7

Club Participates in Yonkers National Night Out

Posted on Aug 08, 2018

Our Club participated in the Yonkers Precincts' National Night Out observances on Tuesday 7 August from 5 to 9 pm. Our Club had a table with information about the Club's activities, and brochures on membership at the 1st Precinct's location at Andrus Field while a similar table was set up at the 4th Precinct's location at the JFK Marina. One of the highlights of our presence at the Marina was a professional face-painter. Heavy rain and lightning forced the event at Andrus Field to be cut short.

Sporting a large Rotary umbrella, Club President Sundra Lee-Ingemanson, Secretary Seeme Asad and PDG Matts Ingemanson were at the Club table the Andrus Field, handing out brochures about the Club and talking to visitors about our activities.

The Yonkers Police Precincts organized special events on National Night Out. This is the second time our Club participated in this observance at Andrus Field and the third time at the JFK Marina. Here are some pictures of the event at the Andrus Field Location.

Reading Rocks: Club Members read to Kids at Summer Reading Buddies Program

Posted on Jul 27, 2018

As the first Club activity of the new Rotary year, Club members joined Club President Sundra Lee Ingemanson and volunteers from other community organizations at the Riverfront Library in downtown Yonkers to participate in the JCY-Westchester Community Partners-sponsored Summer Reading Buddies program.

The Reading Buddies program is a valuable and valued intergenerational initiative that helps youngsters improve their reading skills, and supports parents with guidance and life skills. The program's theme this year is "Reading Rocks". It runs for six weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in July and August at the Riverfront Library and at the Mount Vernon Public library. Riverfront Library Administrator and Club Member Sandy Amoyaw says more than 250 volunteers will be reading with more than 1100 children. Club President Sundra Lee-Ingemanson, Past District Governors Greg Arcaro and Matts Ingemanson, District Governor Nominee and Past President Mahbub Ahmad and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad represented the Club, reading to the kids..

There have also already been visits from guest readers – Mayor Mike Spano, Chairman of the Westchester County Board of Legislators Hon. Benjamin Boyton, Yonkers Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada, among others, and members of Con Edison, which is a sponsor of the Summer Reading Buddies Program.

Volunteers are paired with children in kindergarten through grade six who go to the library for help with their summer reading list, which is assigned by their school. Volunteers work with several children during each two-hour session. The children select a book and then are matched up with a volunteer. After introductions, the “buddies” find a spot where they work together for 20 minutes. The volunteers encourage the student to read, and help with specific words, pronunciation and comprehension. When they finish the book, the volunteers help the child complete a worksheet.

While the children are reading, their parents attend workshops on life skills offered through partner organizations. The program has been a success at both locations and is highly anticipated every year as evidenced by the long lines of parents and children waiting for the Library to open Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

The libraries give out “passports” to every child who registers for Summer Reading Buddies and each child gets a stamp on his or her passport for each day attended.

The primary sponsor of the Program is the JCY- Westchester Community Partners. Their mission is to enhance the educational experience of children in Westchester County through effective learning initiatives and the engagement of volunteer mentors. The Yonkers Libraries provide the venue, the reading materials and supervision. The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers has been a reading Partner of this program for a number of years.

2018 Rotary Convention ends in Toronto

Posted on Jun 29, 2018

A princess, 3 prime ministers, and a former first lady joined 25,000 Rotarians and non-Rotarians in Toronto to celebrate Rotary’s good work and plan more of it.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, accepting Rotary’s Polio Eradication Champion Award, thanked Rotary for working with governments worldwide to eradicate polio. Rotarians play a critical role in the fight to end polio, Trudeau said. “Together we will make that happen.”

Sixteen former Rotary presidents and their partners appeared on stage, and Rotary’s next president, Barry Rassin, motivated convention goers by speaking on his 2018-19 theme: Be the Inspiration.

Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand and one of the architects of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, joined RI President Ian H.S. Riseley for a discussion about gender equality and the crucial link between the environment, poverty, hunger, and peace.

During the four-day event in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, speakers praised, prodded, and partnered with Rotary. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, expressed thanks to Rotary for taking a central role in working to eradicate polio. Former first lady of the United States Laura Bush challenged Rotarians to keep early childhood education a priority.

And in a gracious gesture to his successor, outgoing President Riseley finished his closing remarks by urging listeners: “It is vital that we be the inspiration.”

The 2019 Rotary International Convention will meet in Hamburg, Germany, 1-5 June.

See Photo Album

2018 Community Service Grants

Posted on Mar 31, 2018

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers invites applications for its 2018 Community Service grants. This year, as in previous years, the Club will be supporting community service projects that benefit Yonkers residents and the community and are sponsored by non-profit organizations.

The Club plans to support projects with grants to a maximum of $750 per project. Interested organizations should download the application and submit it along with the required documents by either email to: grants@eastyonkersrotary.org or regular postal mail to: Grants Committee, Rotary Club of Yonkers -East Yonkers, P.O. Box 771, Yonkers, NY 10710. The deadline for receipt of applications is April 16, 2018. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS BY BOTH MEANS. Grant recipients will be informed by e-mail by May 15.

Each application must include the following as attachments:

Description of the project including location and whom it would benefit
List of all project costs and the funding source of each cost, including the proposed use of Rotary’s funds
Date project would begin; date project would end
Planned publicity and how the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers will be included in that publicity
Copy of IRS 501c3 determination letter
List of Board Members showing, where appropriate, their organizational affiliations

Open Fillable Pdf Application Form

IMPORTANT: All required documents must be included in the application package. Incomplete applications or applications postmarked after the deadline date may not be considered.

Apply Now for 2018 High School Scholarships

The Club is inviting applications for its annual Community Service Scholarship Grants. The $1,000 scholarships are open to graduating high school students in Yonkers. The winning student must:

- Be living in Yonkers,
- Be receiving a high school diploma in May/June,
- Have volunteered time to a community organization in Yonkers above any required by the school, and,
- Be accepted and plans to attend college in 2018.

The deadline for all applications is 30 April 2018. The postmark date on the envelope must be on or before midnight of that date. The final selection will be made by the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club Scholarship Committee.

Click here for the application (you can fill it in online and print it) and send it along with:

- One copy of the completed Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club Scholarship Application (Be sure all signatures are on the application)
- At least one letter of recommendation from an organization in Yonkers through which the student provided community service,
- One copy of the student’s high school transcript,
- One copy of a letter of acceptance from the college that the student plans to attend.

Send the application package as soon as possible to:

Rotary Club of Yonkers - East Yonkers
Scholarship Applications
PO Box 771
Yonkers, NY 10710

You can also email the package to: scholarships@eastyonkersrotary.org. Please pay attention to the following requirements for email applications.

- The application and all supporting documents must be sent in the same email.
- All required attachments must be either in .pdf or .jpg format. It is preferred that all supporting documents be combined into one .pdf file and are clearly legible.
- Make sure that the send date on your email is on or before 30 April 2018.
- Do not send any other email to this address.

EarlyAct Children Assemble Backpacks for the Homeless

Young students at the Hostos Micro-Society School in Yonkers assembled 50 backpacks for the homeless in Yonkers. The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers partnered with The Sharing Community in Yonkers which is distributing these backpacks. Rotarians and students at the school donated personal care items, such as toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, hand sanitizers, soap, and combs, The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club added 56 pairs of socks and toothbrushes to be included in the backpacks donated by a local bank.

The students are part of Hostos Cares, a nonprofit in the micro-society school. They gathered during a lunch period and assembled the backpacks. A note written by a student was also placed in each pack.

The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club is developing these young students to become an EarlyAct Club – the elementary school level arm of Rotary. The project between the Hostos Micro-Society School and the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club is headed by Barbara Hanna, the Club’s EarlyAct Advisor. The Club has also provided a $5,000 grant to the School for the purchase of Library books and iPads for the special children, as well as a rug for the student gatherings in the Library.

Unprecedented Success for End Polio Gala

Posted on Mar 12, 2018

Our End-Polio Gala event on Saturday, 21 April was a huge success, turning out to be the biggest Fundraiser for the Club. There was a lot of happy energy at the Castle Royale, in Yonkers with over 200 people present, including Rotary International PolioPlus Chair Mike Michael McGovern, Zone 32 End Polio Coordinator Carol Toomey, District Governor Janet DiBenedetto, District Governor-Elect Krishnan Chittur, District Governor Nominee David Schribman, District Governor Nominee Designate Mahbub Ahmad, Y-EY President Alix Schnee and many other Rotary District and Zone Leaders. District PolioPlus Chair Shahid Latif did an outstanding job organizing the event with the support of Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotarians.and non-Rotarian friends. Consul-General Ejaz of Pakistan, Doug Martin Sturomski of the Peace Bell Foundation, Rev. Danny Garcia of the Global Walk Foundation were also present as was a representative of Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader, who presented a proclamation for the Club from the City Council. A proclamation from Mayor Mike Spano was also presented to our Club.

The Have Fun Do Good event began at 6 pm and was an evening of entertainment and a sumptuous buffet dinner. Rotary International PolioPlus Chair Mike Michael McGovern and District Governor Janet Dibenedetto presented the Paul Harris Fellow awards on behalf of the District to Shahid Latif, Barbara Hanna, Parul Bhatnagar, Ghazala Asam and Rukshinda Hameedi of the Y-EY Club and to Zara Iqbal of the Organizing Committee. Iqbal Latif was also recognized for his large contribution for the evening's proceeds. A donated artwork was auctioned which garnered $15,000.

All proceeds from the event will go to the Rotary Foundation's PolioPlus Fund and will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The campaign to end polio began with the initiative of a Rotary Club in The Philippines in 1972. After its great success, the program was replicated across the country and later in other countries. The push from Rotary and its 1.2 million worldwide members sustained the campaign when through the participation of UNICEF, the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the campaign gathered steam to reach its current stage.

See Photo Album

FAST FACTS ABOUT POLIO:

Polio remains endemic in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan, but has reappeared in Nigeria this year.
The annual number of polio cases has been slashed 99% over the last 25 years.
The campaign against polio has prevented 15 million childhood disabilities since 1988.
Infant and childhood vaccinations save an estimated 3 million lives every year.
A donation of $25 can vaccinate 42 children against polio.
UNICEF buys 1.7 billion doses of oral polio vaccine to reach 500 million children every year.

DG Presents 2016-17 Presidential Citation to Y-EY

Posted on Mar 01, 2018

One of the crowning achievements of the The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club for the Rotary Year 2016-17 was qualifying for the Presidential Citation - the highest award for a Club from Rotary International. DG Janet DiBenedetto visited the Club on 21 February to present the Citation to 2016-17 Club President Mahbub Ahmad. Also present were Area 4 AG Bob Stern, Area 2 AG JT McFadden and District Secretary Doris Benson.

Presenting the Citation, DG Janet said only 3 of the District's 43 Clubs had achieved this high honor. She congratulated President Mahbub and all members of the Club. Receiving the citation, President Mahbub said this was only possible because all members of the Club had joined hands to make it happen. He thanked all members.

Rotary Clubs can earn the Presidential Citation for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and your club. Goals include increasing club membership, developing sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in the community. All activities towards the pre-set goals need to be completed, reported, and reflected in the Rotary database before the end of the Rotary year on 30 June. Rotary automatically verifies many of the club’s achievements using club and member information that Clubs must keep up-to-date in My Rotary. Clubs also use Rotary Club Central, Rotary Ideas, and Rotary Showcase to confirm when they’ve achieved other goals.

Y-EY was also a recipient of the Rotary Foundation's EREY Banner for the 2016-17 year. This means every single member of the Club contributed $26.50 or more to the Rotary Foundation during the year. in 2016-17 the Club and its members contributed $18,698.50 to the Rotary Foundation and the per capita contribution to the Annual Fund was $192.53. The Club, so far has 4 Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation, to 2 Bequest Society members.

DG Visits Club: Highlights Puerto Rico Assistance Project

Posted on Nov 29, 2017

DG Janet DiBenedetto visited Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club on Wednesday 29 November, at the Clubs’ evening meeting. She highlighted the District’s priorities, emphasizing the importance of working together for the common good. The District will be addressing the situation in Puerto Rico right away.

District Rotary Foundation Endowment Chair Larry Cohen (NY Rotary) and Inwood Rotary President Jim Kushner contacted LuminAid which makes solar-powered lighting lanterns and Sawyer which manufactures water filters and obtained supplies of these items at cost - $15 for the solar lights and $10 for the water filters. Working with the local Rotary Clubs in Puerto Rico, Jim has already distributed 800 Sawyer water filters, 200 LuminAid solar-powered lighting lanterns and medical supplies to relief organizations, schools, municipal offices, nursing homes, a home for abused children, physicians, pediatricians and others in most need.

The Rotary Club of New York Foundation provided $25,000 to begin the project and the DG is asking all Clubs to join in and contribute to the NY Rotary Foundation for this project. She will be meeting with the AGs next week and the project details will be highlighted in the upcoming District Newsletter. The Pleasantville Rotary Club will be involving the Interact Club in this endeavor.

The Afya Foundation in Yonkers recovers surplus medical supplies and equipment from hospitals and clinics in the US. Danielle Butin, Afya Executive Director would like to partner with Rotary in shipping and distributing these supplies to Puerto Rico to help families.

Among other matters, DG Janet elaborated on the program of the upcoming District Conference in April.


The LuminAid solar-powered lighting lantern	The low-cost Sawyer long-lasting water filter


Family with a solar lantern	Rotarian in Action explaining the Sawyer water filter.

DG Visits Y-EY: Highlights Puerto Rico Assistance Project

Posted on Nov 29, 2017

Among other matters, DG Janet elaborated on the program of the upcoming District Conference in April.

Club Participates in "Stuff-A-Bus" Pajama Program

Posted on Oct 14, 2017

This year the Club once again participated in the "Stuff-A-Bus" Pajama Program in collaboration with the Yonkers Chamber and other organizations. The drive ended on 14 November with the donation of the collection of Pajamas and books after a School Bus made the rounds collecting garments and arrived at the Yonkers Montessori Academy.

Present at the brief ceremony were Mayor Spano, Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada, Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Director of Marketing Jeanne Martinelli, Club President Alix Schnee, Past President Mahbub Ahmad and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, along with representatives of various organizations which have collected donations of pajamas and books.

Who are these children who receive the Pajamas and Books?

Children in need ranging from newborn to age 18.
Children who are living 200% below the poverty level.
Children of teenage pregnancies with parents who struggle to take care of them.
Children who are homeless and living in shelters.
Children who come to the shelter without any clothing or belongings.
Children in foster care.
Children who are youth of incarcerated parents.
Children who have been physically or emotionally abused and neglected.
Children who are emotionally traumatized.
Children who have been abandoned.
Children who are in head start programs.

Mayor Spano visits our Club

Posted on Sep 27, 2017

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano was our special guest at our evening meeting on Wednesday, 27 September at the Dolphin Restaurant. Besides Club members, many others from local community organizations were present to listen to the Mayor.

The Mayor outlined the programs the City has undertaken over the last six years. The perception of Yonkers – the fourth largest City in New York State - has changed because good stories have been repeated over and over again in the media – as the media normally tends not to cover good news. The Mayor pointed out that according to the FBI, Yonkers has been in the top 10 safest cities in all of the United States for the last 20 years. Crime is down 30% in Yonkers overall. This is important and people need to be told about this good news. The Mayor said he is trying to tell the story. Yonkers is building on this success.

The Yonkers Schools are doing well and the School District is being built up one step at a time. Out of the big five cities in New York State, Yonkers has the highest graduation rate. The Administration is diverse and diversity is our strength, the Mayor proclaimed.. Yonkers has the first Latino School Superintendent. Yonkers Basics Program is re-enforcing the notion that third graders need to be reading at their grade level. Seventy per cent of the third graders in Yonkers are at or below poverty level. Mayor Spano said we have the ability to give every child a Free Lunch, and we should, so that there is no stigma attached for those on the Free Lunch program. We should provide the expectation to every student that they will go to college and have a decent job afterwards.

Special Meeting

Posted on Aug 25, 2017

Get Moving, Get Fit Field Day at Queens Daughters Day Care

It was "Get Moving Get Fit Field Day" for the Children at the Queen's Daughters Day Care Center, on Buena Vista Avenue in Yonkers. Though the gloomy and rainy Friday forced the activities to be moved indoors, the children did not miss out on the great fun.

Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club President-Elect Sundra Lee-Ingemanson, PDG Greg Arcaro, Past President Mahbub Ahmad, Treasurer Barbara Hanna and Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad visited the Center and spent the morning with the children, watching them play with the new play equipment.

Barbara Berrios, Executive Director of the Center, was at hand, excitedly talking about the Center. “Our curriculum of teaching and reading will be greatly enhanced by this hands-on experience of the kids using the equipment the Rotary Club provided.” She thanked the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers for the grant which made this project possible. Under the Project, using the community Service grant from the Club, the Center purchased tricycles, hoola-hoops, basketballs and other games and play equipment for the children. The equipment will last for a number of years and will benefit children in the pre-K and Kindergarten classes.

The Queen’s Daughters Day Care Center is a 12-month, full day early childhood learning center, serving the community since 1903, providing day care and education to the children, aged 18 months to 5 years, from low-income working families.

See Photo Album

Club Participates in Yonkers National Night Out

Posted on Aug 01, 2017

Our Club participated in the Yonkers Precincts' National Night Out observances on Tuesday 1 August from 5 to 9 pm. Our Club had a table with information about the Club's activities, and brochures on membership at the 1st Precinct's location at Andrus Field while the similar table was set up at the 4th Precinct's location at the JFK Marina. One of the highlights of our presence at the Marina was a professional face-painter.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. National Night Out was developed as a crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community. Community involvement in crime prevention is generated through a multitude of local events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth activities, and seminars. Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano visited both locations. Local organizations set up tables with giveaways, while local restaurants provided plenty of food and light drinks at the locations.

The Yonkers Police Precincts organized special events on National Night Out. This is the first time our Club participated in this observance at Andrus Field and the second time at the JFK Marina. Here are some pictures from the event at both locations.

See more photos in our Photo Album

Club Installs New Officers, Announces Scholarships

Posted on Jun 28, 2017

The Club formally installed the new slate of Officers for 2017-18 at the Annual Dinner on Wednesday, 28 June 2017 at the Royal Regency Hotel in Yonkers. Dr. Alix Schnee was installed as President, Sundra Lee-Ingemanson as President-Elect. Barrbara Hanna continues as Treasurer and Peggy Murphy as Secretary. Harvey Bernstein is Sergeant-at-Arms. Joining the Board as Directors are Jeffrey Landsman and Bina Ahmad.

A highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 3 scholarship winners. Joseph Martinez, Jennifer Niola and Michael Cali won the $1,000 scholarships.

PDG Greg Arcaro administering Oath of Office to Incoming President Dr. Alix Schnee

Club Members who became first-time Paul Harris Fellows were recognized. Past President Rev. J Loren Russell presided over the ceremony attended by Rotary International President's Representative Kanayo Rupwani, outgoing District Governor Lora Hugelmeyer. Incoming District Governor Barbara Harris Edwards of Bermuda sent her best wishes and congratulations to the Club. Also attending were the next 2 incoming District Governors Krishnan Chittur and David Schribman, Past District Governors Dong Joon-Lee, Matts Ingemanson and Gregory Arcaro. President of the Board of Trustees of the Yonkers Public Schools Rev. Steve Lopez, Saunders School Guidance Counselor and Assistant Principal were also present.

Outgoing President Mahbub Ahmad was presented with a citation from NYS State Assembly Member Shelley Mayer, and a plaque on behalf of the Club. The outgoing President highlighted the achievements of the Club during the past year and announced that the Club had qualified for the Rotary International Presidential Citation - a rare honor shared with only one other Club in the District. He also announced that the Club had earned the Rotary Foundation Banner, as every member had made a donation to the Foundation during the past year. A slide-show of the year's activities was shown.

Incoming President Alix Schnee thanked the outgoing President for his service and said she would strive to build on the achievements of the past year. She hoped to make the Club more representative of the community and remain engaged with the community.

This was the first time in a long time that the Annual Dinner was held at a Yonkers location.

See the Event Photo Album

Bermuda High Schoolers Raise Money for Yonkers Fire Victims

Posted on Jun 02, 2017

In the true Rotary spirit of “Service Above Self” high schoolers in the island of Bermuda have raised funds to help the victims of the Fire that rendered the residents of 1 Hawley Terrace in Yonkers, homeless.

Students from the Bermuda High Schools for Girls watched the fire on television and wanted to do something to help. They were part of the island’s Interact Club – the young peoples arm of Rotary, which brings together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. There are nearly 470 thousand members of some 20,300 Interact Clubs in 159 countries. 30 young students from various Bermuda Schools are members of the Interact Club on the Island, established 2 years ago by the Hamilton Rotary Club with support from the other 3 Rotary Clubs in Bermuda. The Bermuda Interactors are coordinated by Cathy Bassett a very active Rotarian of the Hamilton Rotary Club.

The determined teens heard of the Fund set up by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers and decided to raise money for the Fund. They got permission from their school and planned, organized and held a Bake Sale, from which they raised $495. After expenses, they were able to send $450 for the Yonkers Rotary Fire Fund – to benefit families they have never seen or met. Yonkers Rotary President Mahbub Ahmad said, “This is a touching example of Rotary – making a difference, - young children going out of their way to help families far away, they’ve never seen or met.”

Club Honors Yonkers Principal as 2017 Administrator of the Year

Posted on May 25, 2017

Principal Edward DeChent of Roosevelt High School has been awarded the Administrator of the Year 2017. He was honored at a ceremony sponsored by the Club on Tuesday 30 May at the Riverview on Warburton Avenue.

The Leadership in Education award program was inaugurated in 1986 by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers in association with the Yonkers Board of Education. The Program recognizes the significant role of school leadership in achieving student success. The award, also known as the Administrator of the Year, is presented to an administrator who personifies the spirit, dedication and accomplishments of an outstanding instructional leader.

Principal Edward DeChent formally accepted the award at a traditional dinner sponsored by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers and the Yonkers Board of Education on 30 May. Present at the ceremony were Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano, NYS Assembly Member Shelly Mayer, Yonkers City Council Members Michael Sabatino,and Chris Johnson, Yonkers Board of Education President Rev. Stephen Lopez, Yonkers Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada and many members and staff of the Yonkers Schools System and members of the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers. Club President Mahbub Ahmad was the Master of Ceremonies at the event.

Club Announces 2017 Community Service Grants

Posted on May 25, 2017

11 Yonkers Community Organizations have been awarded the Club's 2017 Community Service Grants. Two organizations - the Family Service Society of Yonkers and the Yonkers Public Library received grants of $750 each while the remaining 9 organizations received grants of $500 each. Chair of the Club's Grants Committee, Harvey Bernstein said the Committee reviewed many applications and found it quite difficult to decide among the deserving projects presented by the local community organizations. "The needs are great and our resources are limited", he said. Club President Mahbub Ahmad commended committee members for their diligence. “I am happy that we were able to support a wide range of community service activities with our grants,” he said. He hoped in the future the Club would be able to support more projects with more funding.

Under the terms of the grants, within six months, each recipient organization is required to make a presentation to the Club outlining the use of the grant and its impact on the local community.

The Family Service Society of Yonkers received the grant for their Kinship Support Program which provide for educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities for at-risk children being raised by Grandparents.

The Yonkers Public Library will use the grant for it's new Telescope Lending Program for the scientific engagement for patrons of the Yonkers Public Library.

District Officers for 2017-18 Installed

Posted on May 22, 2017

Click on Picture for Photo Album

The Rotary District 7230 is off to a flying start for the upcoming 2017-18 Rotary Year. Incoming District Governor Barbara Harris Edwards was formally installed on Saturday 20 May at a ceremony at the Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville. The new Officers officially begin their term on 1 July 2017.

In attendance at the ceremony were 7 past District Governors, other past present and incoming District Officers as well as a number of Club Presidents, Officers and members. Outgoing District Governor Lora Hugelmeyer thanked everyone and welcomed her successor. Jeffry Cadorette, Rotary International Director-Elect administered the Oath of Office to the incoming DG as well as the Assistant Governors, District Officers and all present Club Presidents and members.

Incoming DG Barbara Harris Edwards, thanked Lora Hugelmeyer and her team for their service and appreciated the cooperation she has received from them to prepare her for the upcoming year. She expressed her special thanks to her District Trainer PDG Janet DiBeneditto.

Following the induction ceremony, the gavel was passed along all by District Governors present to Barbara Harris Edwards. Outgoing DG Lora Hugelmeyer presented Incoming DG Barbara Harris Edwards with the DG Necklace (pictured above) which has the names of each past DG and their year of Service, engraved on each link.

Last Call for Community Service Scholarships

The Club is inviting applications for its annual Community Service Scholarships. Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to graduating high school students. The winning students must:

Be living in Yonkers,
Be receiving a high school diploma in May/June,
Have volunteered time to a community organization in Yonkers above and beyond required by school, and,
Be accepted and plans to attend college in 2017.

The deadline for all applications is 31 May 2017. The postmark date on the envelope must be on or before midnight of that date. The final selection will be made by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers Scholarship Committee.

Click here for the application (you can fill it in online and print it) and send it along with:

One copy of the completed Yonkers - East Yonkers Rotary Club Scholarship Application,
At least one letter of recommendation from an organization in Yonkers through which the student provided community service,
One copy of the student’s high school transcript,
One copy of a letter of acceptance from the college that the student plans to attend.

Send the application package as soon as possible to:

Rotary Club of Yonkers - East Yonkers
Scholarship Applications
PO Box 771
Yonkers, NY 10710

You can also email the package to: scholarships@eastyonkersrotary.org. Please pay attention to the following requirements for email applications.

The application and all supporting documents must be sent in the same email.
All required attachments must be either in .pdf or .jpg format. It is preferred that all supporting documents be combined into one .pdf file and are clearly legible.
Make sure that the send date on your email is on or before 31 May 2017
Do not send any other email to this address.

Good luck !

Pancake breakfast is a big success

Posted on Apr 24, 2017

Our grand event - the 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday 23 April was a huge success. Hosted by the St. John's Riverside Hospital, the Breakfast turned out to be one of the most successful fundraisers for the Club - thanks to the outpouring of support from the community - businesses and individuals. We sincerely thank our sponsors. A 16-page color journal has been prepared to commemorate the event - for the first time.

The breakfast was attended by Club members and a cross-section of the community. Addressing the gathering were NYS Senator George Latimer, NYS Assembly Member Shelley Mayer, Westchester County Legislator Ken Jenkins, Yonkers City Court Judge Hon. Mary Anne Scattaretico-Naber, Yonkers City Council 6th District candidates, Anthony Merante and Matthew Orefice.

Welcoming guests, Club President Mahbub Ahmad said the event would not have been possible without the overwhelming support and encouragement of our sponsors. He thanked St. Johns Hospital for hosting the breakfast as they have been doing for the past 5 years.

In addition to the breakfast there were prizes galore - ranging from a 43" Flat screen TV, 2 tablets, a movie projector, to movie tickets, to restaurant certificates to gift baskets - all donated by businesses and members. A 50/50 raffle added to the chances of winning - the winner donated his winnings back to the Club. But perhaps the most appealing part of the breakfast for both kids and adults alike - was the photo-booth - where guests had their picture taken for free - and got them right away. The photo booth was donated by the Westchester Photo Booth Co.

Preparations Complete for our Grand Pancake Breakfast

Preparations are complete for our grand event - the 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast - Sunday 23 April at 9 AM. Hosted by the St. John's Riverside Hospital. the Breakfast promises to be one of the most successful fundraisers for the Club - thanks to the outpouring of support from the community - businesses and individuals. We sincerely thank our sponsors. A 16-page color journal has been prepared to commemorate the event - for the first time.

Admission to the All-you-can-Eat Breakfast is only $10 for Adults and $7 for Seniors and kids. There will be prizes galore - ranging from a 43" Flat screen TV, 2 tablets, a movie projector, to movie tickets, to restaurant certificates to gift baskets - all donated by businesses and members. A 50/50 raffle will add to the chances of winning. There will be coloring mats to engage the kids. But perhaps the most appealing part of the breakfast for both kids and adults alike - will be the photo-booth - where guests can have their picture taken for free - and get them right away.

Club Shines at 2017 District Conference

The Club had a leading role in the highly successful 2017 District Conference that just concluded at the Tarrytown House on Saturday 8 April. 14 of the 40 members of the Club were in attendance. The Club sponsored the Annual Paul Harris Lunch honoring Paul Harris Fellows and Major Donors.

Rotary International President John Germ's Representative Kanayo Rupwani was the keynote speaker, who said it is important for Rotary to change with the times. It was only in 1989 pursuant to a US Supreme Court decision that Rotary admitted women. That made Rotary representative of the world population. And now it is time to involve and engage millenials within Rotary. "It is not enough to be in Rotary", Rupi Rupwani said, "Rotary must be in your hearts."

District Governor Lora Hugelmeyer, presenting Club performance awards, said the District has seen a resurgence in service activities. Our Club received awards - for being among the top fund-raising clubs, for being a Club with a high percentage of increase in membership and for being a sponsor of the Paul Harris Lunch. Commending the Club DG Hugelmeyer said commitment by Club leadership is only one part of the equation and the larger part is the commitment of the team. In his introductory remarks at the Paul Harris Lunch, President Mahbub Ahmad highlighted the activities of our Club from raising funds to end Polio and handicapped children, to providing scholarships and community grants, to sponsoring building of sanitary toilets for women and girls in rural Bangladesh.

The Club video was screened as part of the panel discussion on engaging and retaining members, There were innovative discussions on engaging millenials, developing and enhancing public image and awareness.

The House of Friendship was where Club Members from across the district expressed their "Rotary Moments". A prominent feature of the wall was the Rotary Moment of our Club Foundation Chair, Bina Ahmad.

Here is a photo montage of the 2017 District Conference

Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Saddened at Loss of a Life and Severe Devastation in Yonkers fire

Posted on Mar 15, 2017

We are deeply saddened at the tragic fire in Yonkers on Wednesday, which took one life and left more than fifty families without their homes. Our hearts go out to the families who are displaced by the devastating fire in our own neighborhood . They include one of our own members. Our condolences to the family of the victim. Our thoughts and prayers for the well-being of the displaced families.. Our Club will be by their side at their time of need.

A special Fund has been setup to assist those affected by the fire. Please donate

Applications Invited for Community Service Grants

Posted on Mar 09, 2017

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers invites applications for its 2017 Community Service grants. This year, as in previous years, the Club will be supporting community service projects that benefit Yonkers residents and the community and are sponsored by non-profit organizations.

The Club plans to support at least 10 projects with grants starting at $500 to a maximum of $750 per project. Interested organizations should complete the attached application and submit it along with the required documents by either email to: grants@eastyonkersrotary.org or regular postal mail to: Grants Committee, Rotary Club of Yonkers -East Yonkers, P.O. Box 771, Yonkers, NY 10710. The deadline for receipt of applications is April 10, 2017. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS BY BOTH MEANS. Grant recipients will be informed by e-mail by May 10.

Each application must include the following as attachments:

Description of the project including location and whom it would benefit
List of all project costs and the funding source of each cost, including the proposed use of Rotary’s funds
Date project would begin; date project would end
Planned publicity and how the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers will be included in that publicity
Copy of IRS 501c3 determination letter
List of Board Members showing, where appropriate, their organizational affiliations

IMPORTANT: All required documents must be included in the application package. Incomplete applications, or applications postmarked after the deadline date may not be considered.

Preparing for our Big Event - the 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast

Posted on Mar 05, 2017

Mark your calendars - Sunday, 23 April from 9 am to 12 noon, for our biggest event of the year - The 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast. As in earlier years, St. John's Riverside Hospital will be hosting our event. While it is called the Pancake Breakfast, it is much more than that. For the nominal $10 admission you get not only a full all-you-can-eat breakfast, but can also win a large number of prizes, from a 43" LED TV, 2 tablets, video projector, movie passes and food vouchers, baskets of cheer, pet-care and auto-care ensembles, restaurant gift cards, Touchless Paper Towel Dispenser and many more. More prizes added as they come.

There will be a free photo kiosk for everyone, coloring kits for children, a 50/50 raffle and hourly door prizes. You can ensure your place in the event by getting your tickets in advance.

We are grateful to many local businesses and individuals who have donated prizes or money towards the event. The funds raised at this event will go towards scholarships for deserving Yonkers High School students going on to college, providing grants to community organizations for projects like traveling farm visits, Summer Day Camp for underprivileged children, Fitness through walking, Community Gardens program, Planting gardens with youths with emotional/physical disabilities and incarcerated youths/adults, wigs and cosmetics products for cancer patients, Kinship Summer Youth Program (for children who are being raised by grandparents, Breast Cancer Outreach, promoting breast cancer awareness to low-income seniors, African-Americans, and Latina women in Yonkers, and Art therapy program for children. Funds raised will be used for these purposes.

If you or your business are interested in "having fun, doing good", by donating to the Club Foundation taking out an ad in the event pamphlet or by making a prize available, please contact us at info@yonkersrotary.org . All donors will be recognized at the event on a plaque and in the event Journal.

Club to Host Paul Harris Lunch at 2017 District Conference

Posted on Feb 17, 2017

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers will be hosting the Paul Harris Lunch at the 2017 District 7230 Conference. Scheduled on Saturday, 8 April at the Tarrytown House Estate, as a one-day information-packed Conference, the Annual District conference will bring together a large number of the 1200+ members of this Rotary District for idea and information sharing, fellowship and goodwill...

An important component of the District Conference is the Annual Paul Harris Lunch which honors those members of the District who are past and present Paul Harris Fellows or Paul Harris Society Members. Members who have contributed $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation during a Rotary Year are designated as Paul Harris Fellows while those who are contributing $1,000 or more to the Foundation every year are inducted into the Paul Harris Society.

Club Initiates Joint Project with Rotary Club of Uttara, Bangladesh

Posted on Feb 09, 2017

Our Club has initiated a joint international Water and Sanitation project together with the Rotary Club of Uttara, Bangladesh. During a visit to the country, Club President Mahbub Ahmad and Club Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad were guests of President Wasiuddin Al-Mashud of the Rotary Club of Uttara in the suburbs of the capital Dhaka. Following the meeting, the two Club Presidents discussed the various projects undertaken by their respective Clubs. Yonkers-East Yonkers President Mahbub Ahmad agreed to join in 3 of the projects and donated $880 towards these projects. The Water and Sanitation project of the RC Uttara was impressive and would benefit many people. Under this project, 15 sanitary toilets for women and girls will be constructed at a remote village in Hobiganj, in north-east Bangladesh, under the supervision of the RC Uttara. The President's donation will cover the construction of 10 of these toilets. The RC Uttara will finance the remaining units, which will be constructed during the current Rotary year.

Sanitation remains a sensitive issue in many developing countries, especially in rural areas, where many young girls are forced to drop out of school due to the lack of proper toilet facilities in the schools or the villages. For only about $50, a proper sanitary toilet can be constructed and made available to local residents, particularly the girls and women who could go out only under cover of darkness to answer calls of nature, and that too in unsecured, open areas.

The RC Uttara provides permanent support to an elementary school for under-privileged children. A contribution was made to provide enhanced snacks for the prize-distribution ceremony of the school. The third contribution was towards the medical treatment of a long-time Rotarian who is to be sent abroad for cancer treatment.

Club Donates Books, Toys, Snacks During Holidays, Helps Salvation Army Ring Holiday Bell

Posted on Dec 20, 2016

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers had a busy schedule, taking part in many activities. Members donated 275 books to the Will Library. Club President Mahbub Ahmad, Past President Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell and Club Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad were on hand to hand over the books to Library Administrator, Christian Zabreskie, on Monday 19 December. President Ahmad hoped that this donation would help the library boost its collection and provide additional reading materials for the Library patrons. Zabrieskie, thanked the Rotary Club for its efforts in providing the wide assortment of books - all in excellent condition.

Earlier on Thursday, 15 December the Club donated a month of snacks to the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla. The House will provide the individual packs of snacks to the children and their families who reside there while the critically ill or traumatically injured children are undergoing treatment at the Maria Fiore Children’s hospital next door. Club President Mahbub Ahmad and Secretary Peggy Murphy had gone shopping earlier that day and brought the snacks to the Ronald McDonald House where Program Coordinator, Britanny Parsio received the packages of snacks.

At the same time at the Shop-Rite on Tuckahoe Road, Past Rotary District Governor Greg Arcaro and other members were braving the frigid weather and helping the Salvation Army ring the Holiday collection bell. Because of the extreme cold weather the Club President Mahbub Ahmad and Salvation Army Captain Claircius decided to call it a day early, with the Club donating a check to the Salvation Army to approximate the usual collection. Rotary Members have traditionally helped ring the bell one-day during the holiday season.

Our Dinner to End Polio is a Big Success

Posted on Dec 04, 2016

Once a worldwide scourge, Polio is now very close to complete eradication. From 350,000 cases worldwide in 1988 to only 37 in all of 2016 (so far) is a staggering 99.9% reduction. But we can't quit now.

To join in the final push to completely eradicate polio from the planet, The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers partnered with VOOP - Voices of Overseas Pakistanis - to raise funds to be channeled through the Rotary Foundation's End Polio Now campaign. The event - part of the "Have Fun Do Good" efforts - was on Sunday 4, December at the Royal Palace Restaurant on Knollwood Road, White Plains. This was not just a fund-raiser - it was an evening of music, comedy and dancing with of course, delicious cuisine - and an auction. Present in addition to VOOP and Yonkers Rotary members were current Rotary District Governor Lora Hugelmeyer and past District Governors Janet Beneditto, Matts Ingemanson and Assistant Governor Mary Shackleton. Among attendees were local business owners, physicians, bankers, Real Estate professionals.

Club members participate in Rotary UN Day

Posted on Nov 16, 2016

Rotary Day at the United Nations is our annual event highlighting the critical humanitarian activities that Rotary and the UN lead around the world. This year on 12 November, eight of our Club Members participated in the Day's events at United Nations Headquarters. Among them were Club President Mahbub Ahmad, Past District Governors, Greg Arcaro and Matts Ingemanson, Foundation Chair Bina Ahmad, Membership Chair Shahid Latif, Director Aura Latif and members, Sundra Ingemanson and Barbara Hanna.

Organized by the Rotary representatives to the UN in New York and attended by more than 1,300 Rotarians, Rotary youth program participants, UN officials, representatives of business and humanitarian organizations, friends, and guests, the event showcased the many ways that clubs and districts make a positive impact in their communities while addressing some of the most pressing international challenges.

In keeping with Rotary President John F. Germ's theme, Rotary Serving Humanity, and with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, this year's Rotary Day at the United Nations focused on how Rotary and the business world can work together to improve lives. President Germ was himself a keynote speaker at the opening session, while Ambassador Kim Won-soo, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General delivered the welcome on behalf of the Secretary-General.

Responsible Business, Resilient Societies, this year's UN Day theme, centered on economic and community development. Speakers, and breakout sessions addressed ways that Rotary, in partnership with the business sector, nonprofits, and the international community, is promoting stable and peaceful societies through equitable economic development.

The audience for the proceedings of the day was multiplied many times, because the sessions were streamed live to a world-wide audience by UNTV. Click on the sessions below and you can relive the breakout sessions, courtesy of UN Webcast.

Opening Session

Club Participates in "Stuff-A-Bus" Pajama Program with Yonkers Chamber

Posted on Nov 07, 2016

The Club participated in the 2016 "Stuff-A-Bus" Pajama Program alongwith the Yonkers Chamber and other organizations. The drive ended on 8 November with the handing over of the Club's collection of Pajamas and books at the Yonkers Chamber.

Club President Mahbub Ahmad and Membership Chair Shahid Latif handed over the collected items at a short ceremony at the Yonkers Chamber office on 8 November. Present at the ceremony were Mayor Spano, Chamber Director of Marketing, Jeanne Martinelli and representatives of other organizations participating in the Drive. News 12 covered the event at its newscasts that evening.

Club to distribute pencils to all Yonkers First Graders

Posted on Sep 28, 2016

All First Graders in Yonkers Public Schools will be receiving pencils, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers. This school year there are 77 First Grade Classrooms with 2,064 students. Each of the Classrooms will be getting a box of pencils. In all, nearly 5,500 pencils will be given out.

Club volunteers have been distributing pencils to First Graders for many years as part of it's education assistance program. The colorful pencils have a special appeal for the youngsters, while teachers have appreciated the gesture. In some of the schools, the teachers have been purchasing the pencils themselves for the students.

In a letter to teachers, accompanying the box of pencils, Club President Mahbub Ahmad said, "Rotary is a service organization that supports many community projects in Yonkers, including recognizing the Yonkers Public Schools 'Administrator of the Year'. With all the financial stress that the school system and families are experiencing these days, we wanted to help you and the parents of your students provide school supplies to your students."

Outback Steak House Caters BBQ to Honor Memory of Rich Bloom & Raise Funds for Richmond Community Services

Posted on Sep 11, 2016

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers paid tribute to the Club's former President and longest serving member, Rich Bloom at a barbeque on Saturday, 10 September. Rich was also the long-time CEO of Richmond Community Services, on Broadway in Yonkers. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit programs of the Richmond Center. Richmond Community Services is a leader in meeting the lifelong needs of children and adults with significant physical and intellectual disabilities and complex medical needs.

The event began at noon and continued to 3 pm, on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. The main attraction was the full spectrum pro bono catering by the Outback Steak House. Greyston Bakery also provided their famous brownies, while Shoprite of Tuckahoe provided water and ice.

In attendance were Myra Bloom, their children Eric and Elizabeth, members of Bloom's extended family, their friends, Club members and Richmond staff. Paying tribute to Rich Bloom, Club President Mahbub Ahmad, said the Club was "very happy to be able to organize this gathering, not only to remember Rich but also to provide a little bit of assistance to this Organization that he loved and served for so long." Rich Bloom's daughter Elizabeth recalled her father's quarter century of dedication and contribution to Richmond Community Services. Her visit to his long-time workplace brought back many memories.

Club Members Read to Kids in Summer Reading Buddies Program

Posted on Aug 08, 2016

Club members joined volunteers from other community organizations at the Riverfront Library in downtown Yonkers to participate in the JCY-Westchester Community Partners Summer Reading Buddies program.

The program ran for six weeks on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5th July to 10th August at the Riverfront Library and at the Mount Vernon Public library More than 250 volunteers have read with more than 1100 children. Club President Mahbub Ahmad, Past President Rev. Loren Russell and President-Elect Alix Schnee represented the Club.

Free Face Painting at Rotary Table at 4th Precinct National Night Out

Posted on Jul 31, 2016

Our Club participated in the 4th Precinct's National Night Out observance at JFK Marina, Yonkers, on Tuesday 2 August from 5 to 9 pm. Our Club had a table with information about the Club's activities, and brochures on membership. One of the highlights of our presence was a professional face-painter - FacePaintingByShelly.

Farm Animals Visit Yonkers pre-School Day-Care Center, Thanks to the Rotary Club

Posted on Jul 18, 2016

The little kids had never seen live animals before. This was a live, hands-on experience and unique opportunity for the 70+ pre-schoolers from low-income families, at the Queens Daughters Day Care Center on Buena Vista Avenue.

The young animals included a calf, sheep, goat, pig, ducks, goose, turkey as well as chickens, rabbits, and large guinea pigs. They were positioned on the grassy playground on leashes with stakes or in cages while the children learned about each animal and were encouraged to pet and feed them. Quiver Farms in Pennsylvania brought the young farm animals to the Center.

Club President Mahbub Ahmad, Secretary Peggy Murphy, Past President Rev. J Loren Russell and Club Members Bina and Sandy mingled with the children and saw for themselves the excitement among the children. President Ahmad said, “The Rotary Club was pleased to be able to help the children get the rewarding opportunity of playing with the live animals. Preschool is a child’s first experience in a structured setting with teachers and groups of children. It’s an opportunity to learn to share, follow instructions, and begin the foundation for learning that will occur in later years.”

The Rotary Club grant to the QDDCC was part of the 2016 grants to 10 local community service organizations.

Club Installs Officers, Honors Departed Members and presents High School Scholarships

Posted on Jul 02, 2016

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers installed it’s new slate of Officers for the Rotary Year 2016-17, at its Annual Installation Meeting on 29 June at the Westchester Hills Golf Club, White Plains. In attendance were club members and members of the families of the deceased members of the Club and families of the Scholarship winners. The new Officers are Mahbub Ahmad, President, Selly Vazquez, Vice-President, Alix Schnee, President-Elect, Peggy Murphy, Secretary and Christian Fassetta, Treasurer.

The five members of the Club - all Past Presidents, who have recently passed on were also honored with plaques for their service and dedication. Members of 3 families those of Club Founder, Roy Letsen, Gus Nathan and Rich Bloom were present. Families of Winston Ross and Chuck Aitcheson could not attend.

The 3 Yonkers High School Seniors, winners of the 2016 Community Service Scholarships were also presented with their awards. Jason Shakespeare, graduating from Salesian High and going on to St. Bonaventure University was awarded the 2016 $1,000 Roy Letsen Memorial Scholarship. Gabriel Osei graduating from Yonkers High and going on to SUNY Binghamton was awarded the $1,000 Winston Ross/Rich Bloom Memorial Scholarship. Marcylin Morgan graduating from Roosevelt High and going on to Utica College was awarded the $500 K.M. Ahmed Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship funds will go directly to the colleges.

Civil Rights documentary "Brick-by-Brick" screened at Will Library

The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers organized a screening of the Civil Rights documentary "Brick-by-Brick" on Thursday, 7 April at 7 PM at the Will Library Auditorium on Central Avenue in Yonkers. Brick-by-Brick is a one-hour documentary - the primary story-tellers are Yonkers families from different backgrounds, who relate their personal encounters with housing and educational discrimination, and others who experience very different opportunities.

Club President J. Loren Russell, giving a background to the documentary, said, "The work that was done in Yonkers to desegregate the school system was led by one of the most dynamic men I've ever had the opportunity to serve with - Winston Ross. His legacy is profiled in the documentary "Brick by Brick." The Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary arranged screening of the documentary with the proceeds to fund the youth organization of the NAACP - ACT-SO."

School 31 Principal Honored as Administrator of the Year

Posted on Jun 18, 2016

Principal Dr. Sharon Banks-Williams of Yonkers Montessori School 31 has been awarded the Administrator of the Year 2016. The Leadership in Education award program was inaugurated in 1986 by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers in association with the Yonkers Board of Education.

The Program recognizes the significant role of school leadership in achieving student success. The award, also known as the Administrator of the Year, is presented to an administrator who personifies the spirit, dedication and accomplishments of an outstanding instructional leader.

Dr. Banks-Williams formally accepted the award at a traditional dinner sponsored by the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers and the Yonkers Board of Education on 25 May at the Riverview. Present at the ceremony were NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Assembly Member Shelley Mayer, Yonkers Board of Education President Rev. Steve Lopez, Yonkers Schools Superintendent Dr. Edwin Quezada and many members and staff of the Yonkers Schools System and members of the Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers.

Welcoming the guests to the 30th Annual ceremony, Club President-Elect Mahbub Ahmad.highlighted the involvement of the Rotary Club with the Yonkers Schools system over the year, from distributing pencils, Dictionaries and calculators to building the playground in School 9. He also announced the expansion of the Club's scholarship program for Yonkers High School seniors.

Club Mourns Passing Away of Past President Charles Aitcheson

Posted on Jun 15, 2016

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing away of our longest-tenured member, past president and Paul Harris recipient, Charles "Chuck" Aitcheson. Chuck passed away peacefully last night.

In a message, Club President Rev. Dr. J. Loren Russell said, "Chuck will always be remembered for his loyalty to the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club, the successful merger of the Yonkers and East Yonkers clubs, and his overall commitment to the objectives of Rotary.

Our collective prayers and support are with the Aitcheson family as they adjust to life without their patriarch."

The Wake will be held on Wednesday and Thursday 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m at Flynn Memorial Home, 1652 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers.

Funeral services will be on Friday 10:00 a.m. also at the Funeral Home.

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