Welcome Rotarians and non-Rotarians to the Rotary Club of Pittston, Pennsylvania.
Ten years ago, when I was a relatively new Rotarian and whilst being installed for the first time as president of the Rotary Club of Pittston, I threw down the “Gauntlet”, it never crossed my mind that ten years hence I would be installed for the fourth time as president. Again, as it has been for the last three, it will be an honor and a privilege to lead our club for the year appropriately named “Rotary Shares” – which is the theme selected by Rotary International President Wilfrid J. Wilkinson for the 2007-2008 year. Rotarians the world over give of themselves to help those who need a helping hand. This help may be the administration of millions of doses of polio vaccine to children in areas where we've yet to finish the job of polio eradication – or the drilling of a well to supply clean potable water to a village with no reliable source of fresh water – or a low cost shelter for families that have no roof over their heads. These are only a few of the things Rotarians do without asking “what's in it for me?” The “what's in it” is the wonderful feeling they get by helping someone in desperate need and thereby making the world a better place in which to live.
If you aren't a Rotarian and want to experience that wonderful feeling yourself, why not ask a Rotarian if you can become one of them. The Rotary Club of Pittston has done many useful projects since its inception in 1920 and we strive to continue that tradition. Four years ago we started our "Score a Goal Against Hunger project" food drive to collect food for the local food banks from Penguins fans at the arena. This year we hope to double the amount of food we collected this past year.
It is a privilege to serve this club as president for the Rotary year 2007-2008. The Pittston Rotarians are a “can do” bunch and always get the job done in exemplary fashion.
Thank you for your vote of confidence Pittston Rotarians, and your “Rotary Shares” attitude!
Martin C. Snyder