
Submitted by Lois Bhatt (lois.bhatt@gmail.com)
Ms. Cooney is a seasoned administrator with more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management, event planning, volunteer facilitation, and fundraising. She is certified for pet therapy with Coby, her family’s Shih Tzu.
The Rotary Club of Madison meets each Thursday morning at the Madison YMCA at 111 Kings Road, Madison from 7:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.. Meetings are also accessible by Zoom. Please visit the Rotary website at madisonrotarynj.org for information on accessing the meetings via Zoom, and for any updates to the schedule and other meeting details. Please note that Rotary meetings, speakers, or speaker schedules are potentially subject to change. All are welcome to attend.








Submitted by PDG Mike Hart (drmhart@yahoo.com)
Fundraising Chair Tony LaPorta announced awards for the recent Rotary fundraiser called Breakfast with the Bands. The purpose of the fundraiser was to offer college scholarships to Westfield high school seniors and also to help the homeless veterans living at Lyons VA Hospital.
Since the covid shutdown, the club has been unable to run any social events or fundraisers, so the outcome was uncertain. We were not sure if the public would come out to an event. However, we had a good attendance and Tony LaPorta considers this event a “complete success”.
The event was started in 1967 as Pancake Day. The name was changed recently to reflect the aspect that the local high school and middle school bands participate. In addition, some school choruses and a group from the Westfield high school musical Mama Mia! Participated.
Tony expresses his thanks to every Rotarian who participated, especially the chairs: Most of the 50 Rotarians in the club participated in the actual hands- on event. In addition, the Rotary District Governor, Shelby Rhodes, participated with her set of chef knives, cutting up fruit in the kitchen. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, plus high school Interact Service Club members participated. With 100 volunteers to help run the program, it is truly a community event. Over 400 meals were served.
Chairman of the Committee: Tony LaPorta
Bands & Master of Ceremony: Liz Ensslin
Food and Kitchen Operations: Ray Kostyack
Photography: Chung Kun Shih
Placemats: Bill Bonsall
Publicity & 50 - 50 Raffle: Lauren Barr
Rotary Shirts & Desk: Michael Hart
Sponsorships: Blake Width and Warren Rorden
Technology: Brendan Bertsch
Treasurer: Lou DaCosta
Volunteers: Heidi Caponigro
The selection of the award winners was difficult because everyone worked so hard.
The Honorable Mention goes to Warren Rorden for his work on obtaining sponsorships from local businesses. He was given a box of pancake mix as a friendly token. The Winner of the Golden Pancake Award is Ray Kostyack for attending the food deliveries and organizing and managing the kitchen activities. Ray was given a shadow box with plastic pancakes mounted inside.
The Rotary Club of Westfield meets 3 Tuesdays per month at noon on Tuesdays. Some meetings are done virtually by Zoom, and some are in person at local restaurants. Guests are always welcome. For information contact Secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart drmhart@yahoo.com