"I'm proud of this community," said Ed Minicozzi, past district governor of Rotary International and chair of their tsunami committee. He said it as he announced that the Locust Valley community working with Rotary had raised over $47,000 in donations for tsunami relief.

Chairman Minicozzi made the announcement at the Thursday, Aug. 25 Rotary luncheon meeting held at the Locust Valley Inn. "Eight months ago, tomorrow, we heard news of the largest world disaster ever that took place in Indonesia. Between 100,000 to 200,000 people were killed by the tsunami. Many children were left homeless and at Rotary we asked 'what can we do to help those people so many miles away.' Then President Tom Mohen asked the members and we raised $3,00 to $4,000 at that meeting, but we realized it was not enough and wanted to adopt a village.

"We contacted Rotary Clubs in Indonesia and also asked the Indonesian government what we could do. We started investigating and we had to wait to decide. In December the tsunami committee decided to go to the community to raise funds. At a meeting held at the Locust Valley Boys & Girls Club the committee met and we decided to have a golf outing hoping to raise $25,000. We raised $29,000. Past District Governor Kathy Gibson had collection containers placed around the community and together we raised $47,000. I'm so proud of this club and this community. I'm just excited that we are going to do this," said Mr. Minicozzi, president and CEO of General Utilities.

Rotarian William Jacobs has been working on the project with Mr. Minicozzi. Mr. Jacobs added, "Although we had intended to build a school no satisfactory project was available. A facilitating organization (such as we use for water projects), "SOS Kinderdorf", located in Switzerland has built what they call an "SOS Children's Village" in over 130 countries and territories. We have checked them out and they have been endorsed by our contacts from the Rotary Club of Ubud in Bali. Ed and I have been in constant touch with the district governor there and they have been very active and productive. They have received a great deal of funds from the Rotary Club of NYC.

"The village will service 150 children set up in 10 houses for 15 children each, with a meeting hall, community center, etc. The clinic will cost just under $45,000 to build. We have raised just over $47,500. The extra funds can be used to purchase equipment for the clinic. While matching funds are not available from Rotary International for a building they should be available for the equipment purchase."

Rotarian Jacobs, who has a retirement planning business called William S. Jacobs Associates located on South Street in Oyster Bay, said a food and wine tasting the Locust Valley Rotary held recently provided some funding for the tsunami relief program. The golf outing at the Brookville Country Club monies were all directed toward the tsunami effort.

"Ed and I intend to visit the clinic when it is completed," said Mr. Jacobs. He added that the Rotary worked through the Rotary Club of Ubud, Bali in Indonesia and commented, "That's the only way to do it. We're all strangers but that is the power of Rotary. We're in 168 countries and 1.2 million members strong."

The Locust Valley Rotary Club is the largest on the north shore. "We gained 17 new members in the last 12 months," said Mr. Jacobs.

Mr. Minicozzi said SOS Kinderdorf is the largest private child help agency in the world. They help over 250,000 children each year. He said, "It's been in existence for 55 years. After the traumatic tsunami occurred many children were left orphans. SOS offers long-term care for the children. The children get a family. A permanent parent is found for each 10 to 15 children. They live in a house with their adoptive mother in a village where they go to school and receive special training and have community activities. They stay there until they are able to go out on their own.

"We decided we are going to build their clinic. It costs $44,444, so every child will have a place to receive medical care. We think the whole community should be thanked for this. I said the one caveat was that the building must bear the name of Locust Valley. They promised it would. When I went to Honduras the name Locust Valley is there in the middle of the jungle. [Mr. Minicozzi went to Honduras with Rotarians who installed pumping facilities to bring needed water to a rural village.]

"They need $16,000 to supply the clinic. We will try to get a matching grant to do that," Mr. Minicozzi said. He looked toward visiting Rotary International District 7250 District Governor Ella Abney. She retired from a position in medical research on Dec. 31, 2004 and has been visiting the district's clubs since then. "This group is fantastic," she said.

At the meeting they reminded Rotarians of their annual Oktoberfest event to be held on Sept. 24. The fun event, for the whole family, will be held at Thomas Park in Locust Valley, in view of the LIRR station. It takes place between 1 and 8 p.m. There is a fee: adults, $3 and children, free. There will be great German food, music and dancing. For the children there will be games, activities, a petting zoo, rides, face painting and sand art.

Rotary is an organization united worldwide in providing humanitarian services and encouraging goodwill and world peace through action. This year's Rotary board includes: President Kathryn Gull, President-elect Scott Pullo, Secretary Randy Carr, Treasurer Maria Smilovic, Sgt. at Arms James Kalenderian, and Locust Post members Barbara McDonough and Patricia Lohrius. For more information you can visit the group on the Internet at www.lvrotary.org.

Many members of Rotary are also Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce members including chamber co-president Roland Cotter-Kroboth and Kathy Gibson. The timing of the announcement was auspicious since last week was a very festive one in Locust Valley. The chamber of commerce hosted a Locust Valley Restaurant Week with lunch costing $11.56 + tax (entrée and a non-alcoholic beverage) from Aug. 22 to Aug. 26. Brightly colored balloons floated above the signs of the Basil Leaf Care Plaza, Buckram Stables, Heirloom, Laguna Grille and the Locust Valley Inn. For information about the chamber you can visit them at their website: locustvalleyonline.com.