Paramus Rotary Club Meeting of Thursday, June 30, 2016 ...and MORE
 
What a day for the Paramus Rotary Club!!
 
Thursday, June 30th, 2016 was the last weekly meeting under the leadership of President 2015-2016 Jay Leone...it was anything but "usual" as you can see from the following photos. While the Powerpoint presentation was "reporting" on the July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 weekly meetings and events, President Jay unveiled several surprises. First came the quick end of the formal meeting with the opening of the stage curtain and the start of a DJ and dancing. Shortly after a few songs came the next unveiling. The sliding doors at the back of the room opened and there was a display fit for a "wedding reception".
  
 
  
 
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 There were also some VERY SPECIAL guests attending today meeting.
 
One of the many Rotary crowning achievements is the Gift of Life program which has saved the lives of over 27000 worldwide. This program began in 1974 with the very first heart surgery on then 5 year old Grace Agwaru from Uganda. Today, in 2016, we were visited by Grace as well as the creator of the Gift of Life initiative Robby Donno, and the current Rotary International Gift of Life program director Rob  Raylman. 
Pictured here are our club's own Mr. Gift of Life Ray Hough with Grace Agwaru with a $10,000 check from the Paramus Rotary Club for the Gift of Life Program.
Also pictured is most current Gift of Life recipient, her family, Ray, Robby, Rob, as well as others from the Paramus Rotary Club associated with the Gift of Life program. 
 
 
 
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Two Paramus Rotary Club members are honored for their extra ordinary contributions to the Paramus Rotary Club.
 
Pictured is President Jay presenting the Presidents Award 2016 to Mr. Marty Diamond. Also pictured is the Paramus Rotary Club's "Godfather" Mr.. Ray Wells as he was the recipient of the his pin for 52 Years of Perfect Attendance. 
 
 
 
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This evening was also the summer of 2016 first performance of the Paramus Community Orchestra thanks to the sponsorship of the Paramus Rotary Club and the Paramus Public Library. Pictured at the performance are Paramus Rotarian Fred Rohdieck and Rotarian & Director of the Paramus Library Len LoPinto...along with a large audience of appreciative concert attendees.
 
  
 
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This was also an amazing week for our RYLA students.
 
RYLA 2016 ran from this past Sunday to Wednesday and the Paramus Rotary Club had four PHS students participating. Quote received today from them..."On such a high from RYLA in many ways that cannot be described in words..." Not only did WE have our four 2016 students there but we also had one of our 2014 RYLA students David Edelstein participating as a Servant Leader.
 
Pictured are David (center) and our 2016 Paramus Rotary Club's RYLAteers taken at the closing ceremonies this past Wednesday evening. It will be great to hear about their experiences when they visit us after returning back to school in the fall.