Marco Rotary Noontime Holds Installation Banquet

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime held its Annual Installation Banquet Dinner at the beautiful Hilton Beach Club to kick off the new Rotary year which began July 1st. 2022-23 President Kathryn Pasternak welcomed members and guests, followed by the Invocation by Reverend Jessica Babcock, Pledge of Allegiance led by incoming President Jennifer Tenney, and Induction of new member, Chris Sullivan. Kathy presented a review of the 2022-23 year praising the 44 club members for nearly 100% participation in projects. This was a banner year for membership with 13 fabulous new members inducted. Traditionally a member is chosen as Rotarian of the Year but due to the outstanding dedication of all members this year, Kathy presented the Rotarian of the Year to the Club.

Organizations and Projects the club supported this year for the Teens and Youth included the YMCA of South Collier County Summer Camp and After School Program, Marco Island Charter Middle School, the City’s Camp Mackle, Dictionary Distribution to Elementary School Students, the Pajama Project for Foster Care Children, Scholarships, Rotary Youth Leadership Camp, Art Summer Scholarships, and Student of the Month Recognition. Family/Adult Programs included Alzheimer's Research, Collier Harvest, Joy of Giving, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Meals of Hope, Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, and Shelter for Abused Women and Children. Disaster Aid was provided for Hurricane Ian Relief to Our Daily Bread, YMCA of Collier County, and Capri Christian Church for Isles of Capri residents. In addition, donations were made for Ukrainian Relief and Shelter Boxes purchased for victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Additional International Project support included Educate the Children, a worldwide education project led by Rotary member Prem Advani, Eyeglasses for Mexico, Clean Water and Sanitation projects in both Haiti and Peru, as well as supporting Rotary International’s Polio Plus initiative to rid the world of Polio while addressing other local diseases around the world as well. Today there only remain polio cases in two countries in the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan, thanks to Rotary’s amazing efforts which started back in the 1980s.

The Club was honored to have Tony Powers of the Gulf Shore of Naples Rotary Club and new Assistant District Governor of District 6960 Area One address the club and do the formal Installation of the new President, Officers and Directors. 

Our new President, Jennifer Tenney, then addressed the club with an inspiring speech sharing the 2023-24 Rotary motto, “Create Hope in the World” and her vision for the new Rotary Year. Our always enthusiastic and energetic new President then led us in line dancing to close the evening!

If you would like more information about the Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime or the projects we support please contact Linda Sandlin, 239-777-9200, or Linda@MarcoRealtySource.com.