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Marco Island Sunrise Rotary celebrated 25 years of service to the community, Thursday at the penthouse home of founding member Craig Woodward.

The warmth of the night air and the glorious views of the Gulf of Mexico were no match for the warmth of fellowship and smiles that exuded from the approximately 80 attendees as they mingled and nibbled on an assortment of hors d’oeuvres.

Woodward and fellow Rotarian Bill Coen were two of the original founding members of the Club. The Noontime Rotary had become too large and a cadre of leading businessmen on the Island formed a charter. They had their first meeting in July of 1983 at the Old Marco Lodge in Goodland.

Over the years they have met at-the Olde Marco Inn, and Quinn’s on the Beach. They currently meet at the Marco Island Yacht Club.

According to immediate past president Zack Cecemski, “Rotarians live by the Rotary ‘Four-Way Test’ — Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

Among the Club’s numerous sponsorships is the Gift of Life project. Children in Haiti with heart problems are identified and brought to America for surgery at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood.

A child was just operated in August and another is scheduled for September. Cheryl Ferrara, another past Sunrise Rotary president, heads this program. The club raises money throughout the year with their various fundraisers. The next one is a casino night at the Marriott in February.

An early highlight for founder Bill Coen was when the club raised more than $5,000 for the first Polio Plus Campaign in 1987. The Rotarians Polio Plus Campaign was launched in 1985 to spearhead the efforts of the World Health Organization, U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF to immunize the children of the world against polio.

“Back then, that was a lot of money,” he said. “In 1990 the club started the reverse raffle for scholarships for Lely High School. The club is the largest giver of scholarships to Lely High School.”

Woodward was amazed that the 25 years went by so quickly. “I am really proud of the club. I have met a lot of nice people. Great fellowship and a great way to help the community.”

He reminisced fondly of the many hands-on projects such as the outdoor classroom they built at Tommie Barfield Elementary. Woodward has been chairman of the scholarship committee for 15 years.

“The Club started with $8,000 and now gives away between $50,000 to $60,000 to school students from Lely High and St. John Neumann. It is so rewarding the number of students we’ve helped put through college and vo-tech and to hear back from them.”

One of those students is attorney Jennifer Dixon-Abbott, who is now the clubs youngest member and also serves on the Board of Directors. “One of the things I like about this group is that it gives back to the community. They helped me go to Rollins and law school,” said Dixon.

Current president Stanley Niemczyk, Jr., stated that other projects include the S4TL, Seminar for Tomorrows Leaders. Students spend a week on the campus of Florida Southern College learning leadership skills. The club also works with St. Matthews House, homeless shelter.

“We are also looking forward to doing a signature event that has never been done on Marco before, in the spring.”

The celebration evening was completed by singing Happy Birthday to Sunrise Rotary and “God Bless American”, lead by Herb Savage.

The Rotary motto “Service Above Self” conveys the humanitarian spirit of the club’s 68 members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide.

The Marco Sunrise Rotary meets 7 a.m. every Tuesday at the Marco Island Yacht Club for breakfast and is open to Rotarians from around the world.

Information contact is Keith Klipstein at 394 -7575.