Marie Cinti: Living in Penfield

Every time I cross a town line, I am drawn to the welcome sign displaying the logos of the community organizations present in the town. Rotary’s spoke and wheel logo is a constant image, and I always wanted to learn more about the organization. Never one to pass up an opportunity, I visited and subsequently joined Penfield Rotary last year, and here’s what I’ve learned so far....

Rotary is composed of business, professional, and community leaders (both men and women) whose objective is to serve-- in Penfield, in Rochester, in the country, and in the world. From working to eradicate polio (almost done by the way!), to raising funds to drill water wells in South Sudan, to supporting the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf,  Rotary undertakes all of these projects to promote goodwill, peace, and understanding.

Rotary’s latest avenue of service is called New Generations, and it encompasses all the programs that Rotary offers to develop and encourage youth leadership. There are an amazing nine programs (so far!) that directly benefit youth in the Penfield community: Interact clubs, scholarship programs, literacy projects, youth leadership programs, and international exchange opportunities. You can view the complete list of all the programs by clicking on the New Generations tab at the Rotary website. I think you’d be amazed, as I was, at all they do!  

Here are some pics of the vocal and oratorical contests in which Penfield students have recently participated. Go Penfield!  And you can always learn more about any of Rotary’s programs by attending a Rotary meeting — Tuesdays at noon at the Shadow Lake Country Club.