Service to others is the hallmark of Rotary International and the thousands of Rotary clubs and 1.3 million Rotarians throughout the world. It is a mantra that every Rotarian bears through the motto “Service Above Self.” Not limited to Rotarians, the motto is also reflected in the activities of local Interact clubs, such as the Interact Club at North Plainfield High School, that are the youth subsidiary of Rotary.

“As a student, I like to remain focused on my school work,” said Khamayah McClain. “The activities I stay involved in teach me not only commitment and selflessness, but also leadership.” Ms. McClain also credited the Interact Club and its activities that “helped me grow and learn as a person. As I become a young adult, I realize that I will have to continue these efforts in order to make an impact with my life.”

Krupa Patel also recognized the impact that being a part of Interact has had on her life. “The club has taught me to be selfless and fully involved in our community,” said Krupa. “Through all the voluntary work and activities, I have acquired leadership skills.” Ms. Patel praised her Interact Club adviser, Alexandra Pereira, as her role model, learning from her while developing personal skills and values. “By following in the footprints of the Interact Club, I am sure I will leave a few of my own footprints as well.”

A native New Yorker who was raised in North Plainfield, Amy Palacios credited her parents with helping her become studious and goal-oriented. Her parents emigrated to the United States to pursue the American dream. “Together with their four children, they work to achieve (that dream),” said Ms. Palacios. “I joined Interact Club because it emphasizes the ideals of teamwork and pushes students to work for the benefit of their community,” said Amy. “I hope to become a teacher and further stress the importance of clubs and organizations, like Interact Club, that inspire students to make a difference.”

Each of the students received a framed certificate that read, in part, “In recognition of your commitment to attain high academic achievement through activities that develop good citizenship at North Plainfield High School.” The students were accompanied by Jerard Stephenson, principal at the high school, and Alexandra Pereira, Interact Club adviser and spanish language teacher at the North Plainfield Middle School. 

Marilyn (our club president) was honored by the Arts Administrators of New Jersey on Sunday, February 3, at a ceremony at Kean University. The ceremony also honored high school students from across the state who submitted artwork to the AANJ’s Emerging Artists competition. 

Marilyn was nominated for the award by Tom Mazur, supervisor of arts for North Plainfield school district. "I am so pleased to be working in a district that knows the value of the arts in a students education, and that knowledge stems from Dr. Birnbaum's leadership," said Tom Mazur. "Dr. Birnbaum not only attends as many student  performances in the district as her schedule will allow, she takes a keen interest in the students and teachers that produce the performances. I consider myself fortunate to be working for such an arts advocate."

The Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield has selected Plainfield Dairy Queen owner Donna Albanese-Demair as recipient of the 2012 Service Above Self Award. The club presents the award annually to a person from Plainfield or North Plainfield who has significantly impacted the lives of either community.

Donna is owner/general manager of the Plainfield Dairy Queen, 1367 South Avenue, Plainfield. She serves as Vice President of the Plainfield Special Improvement District's Board of Directors. She was instrumental in representing South Avenue merchants during two street reconstruction projects.

She is also President of the Plainwood Square Merchants Association, a group that fosters businesses at the Plainfield-Fanwood area of South Avenue. She was a key mover in construction of the Plainwood Square Park where regular community events are held.

Donna is a board member for the Plainfield Salvation Army, and is just finishing a three year term as chairperson of the board for the New Jersey Organ and Tissue Sharing Network, Inc. She is a member of the Sharing Network as a result of her donating a kidney to her mom.

Donna and her husband have refurbished over 400 hundred used bicycles and distributed them to children in Plainfield, most recently in partnership with the local Salvation Army chapter.

In recognizing Donna for her accomplishments, Rotary President Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum's award letter read, in part, as follows:

"We have all been impressed with the work that you have done with the bicycle project, and were happy to support that project with a financial contribution. Your time, talent and treasure go into making this project such a noteworthy endeavor, bringing happiness to so many children in Plainfield.

"But it is not only a single project that sets you apart from other business owners. You are a leader and an avid supporter of and spokesperson for your fellow businesses. Your tenure as an officer and member of the Plainwood Square Merchants Association and of the Plainfield Special Improvement District are two examples of that leadership.

"Acting as liaison to the City of Plainfield during both re-construction projects on South Avenue took time, dedication, and energy that you could have just as easily dedicated to your own business. Instead, you offered that time to help others.

"Your serving as a catalyst and as a motivator in the Plainwood Square Merchants Association has also led to many community events in your business neighborhood, including the establishment of the Plainwood Square Park, the location of summer concerts and car shows and other events.

"We also know and recognize that you were an organ donor for your mother. That sacrifice is another testament to your character and to the traits that exemplify in the highest way your Service Above Self."

The Rotary Club will present the 2012 Service Above Self Award to Donna at their 14th Annual Wine Tasting Dinner on Thursday, March 21, at Giovanna's Restaurant. Guests will enjoy a five course meal with specially-selected wines accompanying each course. A portion of the ticket price is tax deductible.

Anyone interested in attending the dinner should email the Club at RotaryPNP@verizon.net no later than March 13. Tickets are priced at $70 each. As a fundraiser for the Club's scholarship fund, the dinner enables the local Rotarians to present scholarships to seniors at Plainfield and at North Plainfield high schools.

A teacher/counselor at the Lake Drive Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students at Mountain Lakes High School recently called Healing the Children New Jersey for help.  The teacher was advocating on behalf of one of her students, Dominique, a significantly hearing-impaired 16 year old girl who resides in Plainfield.

Dominique required a new cochlear implant, as her current implant was malfunctioning and no longer met her needs.  She is a good student who aspires to a career in the fashion industry.  Her mother is a working single parent whose health insurance policy would cover $8,000, which is 80% of the cost of the cochlear implant, leaving a $2,000 balance that she could not meet. 

HTCNJ used $500 of grant funding from the Robert & Joan Dircks Foundation to defray a portion of the balance.  This still left $1,500 that had to be raised before Dominque could get her new implant.

HTCNJ's Executive Director, Pamela DePompo, contacted the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield and apprised them of the situation.  Within one day, the Rotary Club agreed to donate the entire balance of $1,500 to ensure that Dominique would quickly receive her new implant.

"We are a service club whose mission is reflected in our motto, 'Service Above Self'," said Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, president of the club. "When we learned of this need, we quickly determined that helping this young woman get the cochlear implant would give her the opportunity for a more complete and fulfilling life. It was not difficult to decide on a course of action."

Ms. DePompo added, "I was elated that the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield acted to quickly to partner with HTCNJ. Their generosity will help ensure that this local Plainfield child in need will receive the medical device she requires to attain success in school and in the community.  We value our partnership with the Rotary Club of Plainfield-North Plainfield and thank them for their most generous support."

Dominique's mom was even more appreciative. "I would like to take the time to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your donation for my daughter," said Nicole Benjamin.  "It’s hard trying to give her  everything she wants and needs when it’s just me, but we manage to keep trying to do better. You have literally gave my daughter the gift of sound."  

The Club meets every Wednesday at 12:15 PM at Giovanna's Restaurant in Plainfield. Anyone interested in serving the community is welcome to attend a luncheon meeting as guest of the Club to learn more about their service opportunities.