Reinvigorated Rotary Club Members Put Service Above Self

A food drive in front of the Stop and Shop over the weekend was one of the many activities of the members of a reinvigorated Rotary Club of Shirley and the Mastics as they pursue their goal of “putting service above self.”

The organization, which has been serving the community for more than 40 years, calls itself the “Do Gooders Club,” as its members take care of those in need and raise money for scholarships, veterans and other causes.

Headed by Paul Casciano, the former Superintendent of the William Floyd School District, and Lynda Zack, president of Colonial Youth and Family Services, the club has deep roots in the Bay Area. They took a pause during COVID and are back in full swing with an increasing membership and a full slate of activities.

Legislator Jim Mazzarella with members of the Rotary Club of Shirley and the Mastics and volunteers during their food drive outside the Stop and Shop in Shirley, including from left, Paul Casciano, Michael Schildkraut, and Josephine Piech. Also helping out were Lynda and Julianna Zack and Sophia Baculy File Photo

Every month the Rotary recognizes an outstanding student at William Floyd in honor of Robert Guerriero, a club member and school district trustee who passed away last year. They are part of the Gift of Life effort which sponsors families with children undergoing surgery and help out at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, a summer camp for special needs kids in East Moriches. They also work with the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library on literacy programs and their advocacy for area veterans was highlighted in the Rotary’s monthly magazine, distributed worldwide. As part of an international organization, the club plays a role in Rotary’s long-standing campaigns to eradicate Polio and bring clean water to developing nations.

Participating in the Shirley food drive was Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella, a past president of the club. “We are fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers giving their time and effort to serve their community,” the legislator said. “They work quietly and without much fanfare to make sure others are taken care of. You couldn’t ask for a more caring group of people.”

Mazzarella thanked Stop and Shop and the many people who contributed. “Generous residents bought something extra so they could donate it to someone in need and l want them to know they are appreciated.”

Founded by local attorney Ray Batt, Richard Davin of Davin Funeral Home, and other community mainstays, the Rotary Club is made up of business owners, service group leaders, and government and school officials. They meet bi-monthly at JC’s Restaurant at Mike’s Place Too in Mastic and are welcoming new members.

“Aside from getting together for our meetings, the members like to get out and do things for their community,” said Casciano, a 1970 graduate of William Floyd who had a 40-year career in the district as a teacher, principal and superintendent. “The club is back on its feet and we are gathering strength to move our mission forward.”

Lynda Zack, whose daughter Julianna assisted with the food drive, has been with Colonial Youth for 30 years, the last 15 as director. “The Rotary Club is all about helping others,” Zack said. “We’re glad to have a new generation involved so they can experience giving at a young age.”

Rotary International with its headquarters in Evanston, III was founded in 1905. It has 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide. It was named Rotary because it’s founding members, an attorney, engineer, merchant, and tailor, rotated their initial meetings among each other’s offices in Chicago. They soon ran out of space as more and more members signed on growing the club into one of the world’s largest service organizations.