Rotary means family

By Rotary International

Emily Koerner with her father (left) and the past president of the Central Ocean Rotary club (right).

By Emily Koerner, a former Interactor, native of Toms River, New Jersey, and student at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, USA

I often wonder what other people think about when they hear the word “Rotarian.”

Since I was about 10 years old, I attended many service events with my dad (a member and past president of the Central Ocean Rotary Club in Toms River, New Jersey). The members welcomed me with open arms, laughs, and, of course, a ton of work to be done.

I learned about camaraderie and good work ethic at a young age. I also learned not every family was like my own. Not everyone has my abilities, my health, or my amazing parents. Not everyone has food at their table, a steady job, or a home. But together, the Rotarians work hard to extend a helping hand to anyone struggling to lift them up.

For me, Rotarian is a synonym for family.

For over ten years, I’ve attended lunch meetings and listened to their guest speakers and their discussions about the future for the club. We’ve painted houses, planted dune grass, auctioned gift baskets, …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog