Joanne Maiorana-Davis

Why did I join Rotary?  Originally I joined the Rotary Club because I worked in the area and wanted to meet my business neighbors to network. I knew it was a community oriented organization but didn't understand much about it when I joined in 2003.  After making a number of new friends and identifying how much the club participated in community events and international projects I was hooked.  It was much more than a business networking opportunity.  We had fun amongst ourselves participating in a variety of fundraising events and helped so many different causes that changed people's lives. I was motivated and proud to be a member ever since!

One of my "Rotary Moments" was helping to save children's lives through the Rotary's Gift of Life Program.  Helping children with congenital heart defects in other countries receive heart surgery in our Long Island Hospitals by experienced doctors who donate their time and we help bring that child along with a family member to receive the proper care and attain lifesaving surgery.  We take life for granted and these young children are appreciative for the rest of their life.  Another "Rotary Moment" is the fun I had with our Group Study Exchange Program (GSE).  We had young professional adults in small groups from different parts of the world visit Long Island for one month and we would visit that country for a month with our team from Long Island.  I had the opportunity to share my home, our culture, compare our vocations and visit popular sites with visitors from Germany, Italy, Philippines, Taiwan, India, etc.  I loved it so much I was chosen to be a Chairperson for the GSE Program for the Rotary District in 2007-2008.  The fun and the memories are kept for a lifetime!