It has been three years since the Williston Park Rotary Club had its last installation of officers.
This is the time when all the members and friends of the Rotary gather to pay tribute to say “Thank you’ to the current president and officers for a job well done. Our current president, Nancy Zolezzi, has been our president and leader for the past three years. She has unselfishly given up numerous hours to help raise funds for the Williston Park Rotary Club. Many hours, or for that matter, days, going into the planning of events so that the Rotary Club can raise money for the charities it supports right here in our home town.
During Nancy’s tenure as president, she has raised with the help of her Rotary Club members, tens of thousands of dollars given away to charity.
We have helped the Winthrop Cancer Center for Kids, Ronald McDonald House, the Williston Park Library, the East Williston Library, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, our Veterans, our food pantries, travel aboard scholarship assistance, reading clubs, and the list goes on. All this money was raised by the clubs members through golf outings, raffles, and the generous donations from the people of Williston Park and East Williston.
Zaree Voskerijian, our vice president, Mary Reardon, our secretary and Angela Williams, our treasurer, assisted Nancy over the course of her three-year run as president.
As our members and friends converged on the La Marmite Restaurant for this traditional gala, Nancy Zolezzi, outgoing president, and incoming president, Karen Wiley set the stage for the evening’s events. This is the time when the president says “Thank you” to certain members of the club and pays tribute by singling out certain people for some Rotary awards.
This year, there were two outstanding gentlemen who received Rotary Clubs Rising Star awards. This is for outstanding service and achievement.
They are Frank Galalis and Manny Lopez. One event that they sponsored was the golf ball drop at Kelleher field which raised thousands of dollars for our charities. The recipients were the Williston Park Little League and the Williston Park Fire Department.
The next award presentation was for the Paul Harris Fellow Awards. This prestigious award is given to members of the club who have gone above and beyond their realm as members. They unselfishly gave numerous hours to the club and raised thousands of dollars.
The first Paul Harris fellow was Angela Williams. She has been our treasurer for the past three years assisting Nancy Zolezzi. Collecting funds and paying bills is not an easy task and keeping track of the club’s budget and also running a business, the Village Gift and Flower Shoppe. Angela is also the incoming vice president. For this, she has been bestowed the honor of the Paul Harris Fellow Award.
As I sat at my table watching this event unfold in front of my eyes, president Nancy Zolezzi asked me to put down my camera. I was asked to come front and center,
I too, Raymond Haller was the second recipient of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award. I too was recognized for assisting in the Ronald McDonald barbecues, the golf committee, the Spirit of Goodwill Raffle, and serving as club photographer and club chaplain. I was honored and yet humbled for receiving this prestigious award.
I almost fell to my feet when I was also presented the Rotarian of the Year Award. I was speechless. I was honored for something that I love to do and I believe in…being a Rotarian and belonging to this great club of wonderful people and very dear friends. My friendship is paramount and moreover, the principles of Rotary which we all believe. We are still one club where at the beginning of every meeting, can thank God for wisdom, guidance and the love of each other. This is why our club stands out amongst the rest.
The third recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award was Mary Reardon. Mary was unable to attend this evening’s events but she too was recognized for many years as club secretary and also as the districts president for the “Gift of Life” program. Many, many hours have been dedicated to this cause and for this Mary is known as a Paul Harris Fellow.
The fourth and last recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award is Zaree Voskerijian. Zaree was also not in attendance because of a prior business engagement. Zaree has been the vice president of our club and assisted Nancy Zolezzi on numerous events. He has been the master of ceremonies at our golf outings, our statistician and budget director for our golf outings, and has a passion for helping and supporting the Winthrop Cancer Center for Kids. He is a generous supporter of our club. A man who never says “No”, only How?!
Heartfelt congratulations go out to all recipients for receiving the highest and most prestigious award given by a club president.
As the evening progressed, now it was time for Morris Chimon, past president of the Williston Park Rotary Club to pay tribute to Nancy Zolezzi, our outgoing president.
Morris gave a wonderful speech and summed up Nancy’s reign as president. Thunderous applause by all the members as our new president, Karen Wiley presented Nancy Zolezzi with a plaque and gavel as a reminder of her job as president of our club and for a job well done.
President Nancy Zolezzi’s last official job as president was to swear into office our new president and officers. Karen Wiley, our new president, Angela Williams, vice president, Manny Lopez ,our new secretary and Mary Reardon our new treasurer. Nancy congratulated our new officers and wished them well in their new positions.
During the evening, [Village of Williston Park] Mayor Paul Ehrbar was presented with a plaque of gratitude and thanks for assisting the Rotary raise funds for its Gift of Life program. As you will recall, the mayor jumped out of an airplane for charity and raised a few thousand dollars.
Brother James Conway, S. M. and Mrs. Lisa Haller, of St. Martin de Porres Marianist School made a poster presentation to Nancy Zolezzi for all of the clubs financial support for their Author Day and reading programs. Brother James thanked Nancy and all the members of the Rotary club for their generous support.
Nancy Zolezzi also made a presentation to Mr. Kevin Rynne, Williston Park deputy mayor and also an officer of the Williston Park Little League. Mr. Runne was presented with a check of appreciation for his assistance with the Rotary club’s golf ball drop at Kelleher field.
Nancy also made a presentation to the chief of the Williston Park Fire Department, Mr. George Jaronczyk. He was also presented with a check of appreciation for their assistance with the Rotary’s golf ball drop at Kelleher field. Without the help of Kevin Rynne and George Jaronczyk, this event would not have been possible.
Last but not least, Mayor Paul Ehrbar presented Nancy Zolezzi with the proclamation for a job well done as president of the Williston Park Rotary Club.
A special thanks to Manuel and Renzo and all the staff who prepared and served a wonderful and delicious meal for all of the Williston Park Rotary members and guests. Special thanks to DJ Timmy Aldridge for being our master of ceremonies and DJ extraordinaire for the evening. He was simply outrageous and we thank you for your support and participation.
To find out more about the Williston Park Rotary Club #5088, please visit our website at: www.rotaryclubofwillistonpark.org.
Please come and join us at Our Golf outing at Wheatley Hills Golf Club in September and on our Statue of Liberty Cruise in August. You’ll be happy you did!
