Branford Rotary Marks Season of Giving

Branford Rotarians celebrated the holidays early in November. First was the annual dinner for senior citizens in town. The fun began as the senior guests enter the doors of the First Congregational Church on the Green and were greeted by reindeer-antlered Rotarians who served up punch and crudités. Members, clad in their Rotary aprons, prepared about 200 meals this year, consisting of six turkeys and five hams. Members of the Branford High School Interact Club also pitched in to help with the dinner.

Collectively Rotarians mashed 85 pounds of potatoes, cooked 60 pounds of green beans, and concluded by serving coffee and cupcakes for dessert. And not to disappoint for this year, “Santa,” aka, past president and retired Branford police chief, Robert Gill, made a special appearance in his traditional holiday outfit.

Rotary’s project leader, Bill Van Wilgen said of the annual event, “We work together very well. It’s a great community effort that we’re really happy to do. We try to treat them well (the senior citizens) which is how a lot of them have treated us.”

The annual ringing of bells for the Salvation Army and the supervision of traditional red collection kettles happened at strategically placed locations near Branford merchants which included Stop & Shop, Coastal Liquors, and Wal-Mart.

Rotarians operated 2-hour shifts from 10a-2pm to raise money, which, in turn, was forwarded to Social Services at the Branford Counseling Center. Some of the Music Makers from Branford High School supplemented the sound with their dulcet tones, as did individual Rotarians with recorded music.

The Branford Rotary teams consisted of the following

Stop & Shop: Rich Shanahan, Dave Kozma, John Mooney, Joe DeFrancesco, Alpha Coiro, John Altavilla, Jon & Phyllis Savona, Nick Vamvakis, Gary Gambardella, Brian Borgerson, Ellen Carucci, and in spirit- John Lear.

Wal-Mart: Tony Terry, Mel Baisley, Milt Baisley, Vince Ragonese, Chris Manna, Dean DeNegris, Gerry Mann.

Coastal Liquors: Emily Granelli, Bill Donaruma, Brian Fain, Ginny Page, Phil Carloni.

Project leader, Jack Srebnik, reported that donations this year exceeded $3,000 in response to the Rotary bell ringers.

Rounding out December with the “Service above Self” credo, project leader, Tricia Bohan, conducted the annual “Secret Santa” endeavor. Through the assistance of the Branford Counseling Center needy families were identified. These family names were then distributed among club members who purchased gifts specific to the families’ needs for the holidays. This year we had three families, all parented by single moms. There were 4 children all together with over 20 Rotarians buying gifts.

Tricia noted the extreme gratification expressed by such family members in the past and is proud to be instrumental in the Branford Rotary effort of providing for the less fortunate during this special time of year.

The Rotary Club of Branford is an organization of women and men representing a cross-section of local business and professional leaders, living and/or employed in Branford, who work as volunteers on a variety of local and international projects to improve the quality of life in their home and world communities.

The Branford Rotary Club meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. at the Parthenon Diner, 374 E Main St, Branford. Guests of members are welcome to attend breakfasts. Membership inquiries are encouraged; individuals may contact Branford Rotary Club president, Mary Donaruma. Visit the website at www.branfordrotary.org.