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SERVICE ABOVE SELF |
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ROTARY INT. INFO |
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ROTARY PNP INFO |
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MEMBERSHIP |
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MEMBERS ONLY |
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Secretary: rotarypnp@comcast.net
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Rotary Centennial Celebration
Visitors to North Plainfield’s downtown area on Somerset Street now have an opportunity to sit and rest, thanks to the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International on February 23, Rotary clubs in 166 countries -- representing a combined membership of 1.2 million – embarked on an array of special activities and service projects.
The local service club installed two benches in the plaza area of the Borough’s parking lot across from Borough Hall as its Centennial Project. “We wanted to do something that would publicly display our commitment to Rotary’s ideal of ‘service above self’”, said Patricia Mulligan, president of the local club. “These benches will give pedestrians a place to sit and rest, something particularly useful to the elderly.”
The bench boards are made of a recycled plastic and wood composite material selected for its durability and strength. Each bench bears a plaque commemorating the Rotary International’s centennial. They were installed by members of the Borough Department of Public Works.
Founded February 23, 1905, Rotary International is the world's first volunteer service organization, with 1.2 million members in more than 160 countries.
In 1985, Rotary created PolioPlus and set one of the most ambitious goals in the history for global public health — to immunize the children of the world against polio. To date, over one million Rotary members have volunteered their time and personal resources to help immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.
Rotarians have raised over $500 million for the world-wide eradication of poliomyelitis. In the 1980s, approximately 1,000 children were infected by this crippling disease every day. Since then, polio cases have been slashed by 99 percent, with less than 1,300 cases reported globally last year.
“Our own club was chartered in 1921”, said Ms. Mulligan. “We represent business and professional leaders in Plainfield and North Plainfield who share a common interest in helping others through various service projects and activities, both locally and internationally. We recently sponsored a community blood drive which not only provided much-needed blood, but also resulted in donation of an automatic external defibrillator to the North Plainfield Fire Department.”
The Rotary Club is currently interviewing high school seniors in Plainfield and North Plainfield as part of its annual scholarship program. The club awards $4000 each year from its funds, and selects recipients for four other scholarship funds as well.
“The Club’s next major project is our annual Track and Field Meet,” said Michael Townley, secretary for the Club who also serves as director of the meet. “We will have several hundred athletes from local middle schools participating in our 78th annual event.” This year’s meet will be held on June 1 at the Hub Stine Athletic Field on Randolph Road in Plainfield.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield, visit their website at www.rotarypnp.org.
Pictured: Rotarians surround the newly-installed bench on Somerset Street in North Plainfield
Seated: Linda Hawkins-Todman and Beverly Howard.
Standing: Dave Hollod, Linda Persichino, N.P. Mayor Janice Allen, Patricia Mulligan, Tom Reedy, and N.P. Police Chief Bill Parenti.
Pictured: One of two benches donated by the Rotary Club for the plaza across from North Plainfield’s Borough Hall.