Posted on January 18, 2017
Rotary Means Family
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Emily Koerner with her father (left) and
Peter Singagliese, past president of the
Central Ocean Rotary club (right).
Peter Singagliese, past president of the
Central Ocean Rotary club (right).
By Emily Koerner, a former Interactor,
native of Toms River, New Jersey, and
student at the University of Scranton in
Pennsylvania, USA
native of Toms River, New Jersey, and
student at the University of Scranton in
Pennsylvania, USA
“I often wonder what other people think
about when they hear the word “Rotarian.””
about when they hear the word “Rotarian.””
Since I was about 10 years old, I attended
many service events with my dad (a member
and past president of the Central Ocean
Rotary Club in Toms River, New Jersey).
The members welcomed me with open
arms, laughs, and, of course, a ton of work
to be done.
many service events with my dad (a member
and past president of the Central Ocean
Rotary Club in Toms River, New Jersey).
The members welcomed me with open
arms, laughs, and, of course, a ton of work
to be done.
I learned about camaraderie and good
work ethic at a young age. I also learn-
ed not every family was like my own.
Not everyone has my abilities, my
health, or my amazing parents. Not
everyone has food at their table, a
steady job, or a home. But together,
the Rotarians work hard to extend a
helping hand to anyone struggling to
lift them up. For me, Rotarian is a syn-
onym for family.
work ethic at a young age. I also learn-
ed not every family was like my own.
Not everyone has my abilities, my
health, or my amazing parents. Not
everyone has food at their table, a
steady job, or a home. But together,
the Rotarians work hard to extend a
helping hand to anyone struggling to
lift them up. For me, Rotarian is a syn-
onym for family.
For over ten years, I’ve attended lunch
meetings and listened to their guest
speakers and their discussions about
the future for the club. We’ve painted
houses, planted dune grass, auctioned
gift baskets, and much more. My Rotary
club faced the challenges of gaining new
members, losing old ones, and enduring
Hurricane Sandy. However, they’ve always
grown and never failed to help those in need.
meetings and listened to their guest
speakers and their discussions about
the future for the club. We’ve painted
houses, planted dune grass, auctioned
gift baskets, and much more. My Rotary
club faced the challenges of gaining new
members, losing old ones, and enduring
Hurricane Sandy. However, they’ve always
grown and never failed to help those in need.
They refuse to give up caring for others as
well as each other.
well as each other.
Just like Rotary, I, too, have grown the past
decade. I joined community service groups
throughout middle school, high school, and
my university. I was president of my Interact
club. I have spent ten amazing days at a girls’
orphanage in Mexico City. My Rotarian family
has given me hope for the future and inspira-
tion to push myself every day. I have no other
way to repay them for their influence and sup-
port except to lead my life as a true Rotarian
would.
decade. I joined community service groups
throughout middle school, high school, and
my university. I was president of my Interact
club. I have spent ten amazing days at a girls’
orphanage in Mexico City. My Rotarian family
has given me hope for the future and inspira-
tion to push myself every day. I have no other
way to repay them for their influence and sup-
port except to lead my life as a true Rotarian
would.
My request for other Rotary clubs is to reach
out to children or teenagers and encourage
them to volunteer or work alongside you. Per-
haps they will be a future member. Perhaps
they won’t. But the experiences of witnessing
your passion and compassion for others will
leave a mark and last a lifetime.
out to children or teenagers and encourage
them to volunteer or work alongside you. Per-
haps they will be a future member. Perhaps
they won’t. But the experiences of witnessing
your passion and compassion for others will
leave a mark and last a lifetime.
Empower young people in your community —
sponsor an Interact Club. Find more informa-
tion about providing a safe and secure environ-
ment for all youth involved in Rotary programs
and activities in the Rotary Youth Protection Guide.
sponsor an Interact Club. Find more informa-
tion about providing a safe and secure environ-
ment for all youth involved in Rotary programs
and activities in the Rotary Youth Protection Guide.
Please note that our website address
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
has been updated to:
www.northjacksonrotary.org
