Rotarians and Islanders Come Out to Support Gift of Life

Rotary Clubs throughout the United States and internationally have become well known for their commitment to freeing the world of the disease of Polio and its devastating effects on children and adults. We are quickly approaching a time when we may someday declare the world free of that terrible disease. 

Over the last 46 years, Rotarians, both here and around the globe, have undertaken another quest with the Gift of Life Program. This program focuses on the plight of children suffering from heart disease and congenital heart defects. 

The Sunrise Rotary Club of Marco Island has supported the Gift of Life Program for many years. Originally, the local club brought children to Florida where lifesaving surgeries could be performed by skilled pediatric cardiac surgeons in wonderful facilities, such as the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida.

However, over the years the program has begun to concentrate on creating “sustainable pediatric cardiac centers.” By training staff and providing state-of-the-art facilities and equipment on the ground, closer to the regions where these children live, we ensure reliable follow-up care and a better quality of life for the children.

As the program has grown, Rotarians have seen over 40,000 children from 80 nations and across five continents receive necessary lifesaving surgeries. These lifesaving procedures have provided the children with a second chance to live a sustainable quality of life. Without the availability of the program, this opportunity for life-saving surgery would have never been dreamed of by the children and their families. 

On Friday, March 18, close to 100 supporters came together at the Marco Island Lutheran Church to show their support for the Gift of Life Program. Sunrise Rotary sponsored Rotarian John Campo and his wife Mary’s annual Italian Feast to support the efforts of Gift of Life. The Campos provided attendees with a spectacular feast, which was complemented by fine wines, as well as dessert and coffee for all to enjoy.

Richard Hall, the President of Gift of Life Florida, was in attendance. Hall praised the local Sunrise Rotary Club for their efforts. “This event is reflective of what makes Rotarians and Floridians such great folks. Your collective efforts in helping to save the lives of these children and provide them with a bright future is what makes Rotary such a great organization,” said Hall.

During a bidding war for a tray of John Campo’s famous lasagna, Connie Von Zwehl brought a smile to everyone in the room when she came forward with a $10,000 donation. That generous donation was made possible through a grant from the Vincent Von Zwehl Memorial Fund.

In addition to the Sunrise Rotary Club, the Noontime Rotary Club joined in support of the annual event, along with a delegation from the Gulfview Condominium Association, who historically have been major supporters of the event. Gulfview Condo resident Reggie Gabriel, known as “N.Y. Reggie,” kept everyone on the dance floor.