Unfortunately, the weekend of Sept. 25, 26 and 27, we all experienced an early nor’easter storm. This caused the Moriches Rotary Club to cancel its premier Oktoberfest event. Ultimately, the committee made the correct decision to call off the event being that it is held outdoors. On the positive side of things, no one, the volunteers or attendees, was subjected to possible injury due to falling tree limbs or worse, uprooted and falling trees.
On the negative side, the event, missed out on raising upwards of $70,000.00 that the Moriches Rotary would then donate to Camp Pa Qua Tuck. This is a serious loss of much-needed funds that goes directly to the operation of the camp. Camp Pa Qua Tuck is a summer camp for physically and mentally challenged children and young adults. I would like to thank all of the event sponsors, who after the cancellation, decided to let the Rotary Club keep their monetary donations, which will help offset the losses incurred because of the cancellation. Their generosity will help pay for the costs outlayed that could not be recovered, including the Bier Gartin’s 40-by-100-foot tent and the cost of the food already purchased.
If any of you would like to make a donation to the camp please visit: camppaquatuck.com and visit the donation page.
The Rotary Club of the Moriches is a part of the worldwide Rotary International, a service organization dedicated to making a difference in the world and local community.
The Moriches Rotary Club as one of its major projects owns and operates Camp Pa Qua Tuck, which has been serving the special-needs community since 1946 here in Center Moriches. Its operating budget for 2027 is $1.7 million. This is solely operating expenses and does not include any capital improvements.
Other fundraisers coming up in 2026 and 2027 are the annual Pancake Breakfast with Santa. The breakfast will be held in the main dining room of the camp on Dec. 6, 2026. Admission includes a full breakfast with pancakes, sausage, coffee, tea or juices. Santa will be attending and visiting with the children. Pictures will be taken with Santa Claus and can be purchased separately.
In May of 2027, The Rotary Club of the Moriches will be hosting its first Oyster Festival at the camp. This will be a two-day, Friday and Saturday, event, held at the camp. A variety of local Long Island oysters, of course, and other offerings including seafood, and for those of you who may prefer something other than seafood, there will be hotdogs and hamburgers. Stay tuned here at the Tide for the exact dates coming soon.
Coming in July at the camp, look for a very special fireworks display put on by the famous Grucci family.
The Rotary Club of the Moriches has added four new members to its roll in the last few months. We are excited to welcome Adrienne Donovan, Kelly Gormley, Michelle McDonald and Patricia Baker.
The club has other service projects to benefit the Moriches and Manorville communities. These include a Stuff A Bus food collection drive to benefit our local food pantries.
Thanksgiving turkeys with all of the fixings will also be donated to the same food pantries.
The first Stuff A Bus event will be held at the King Kullen shopping center on Montauk Highway in Center Moriches on Nov. 14, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and make a donation if you are able. Your donation comes at a time when all of the food pantries in our area are experiencing an ever increasing need this year. Your donation will help our neighbors in need this holiday season. The members of the Moriches Rotary and the members of the Center Moriches HS, Eastport South Manor HS and East Moriches Middle School Interact clubs will also be on hand to assist. I look forward to seeing you there. The generosity of the people in our community that I have witnessed over the years is something to behold.
The Rotary Club of the Moriches meets monthly on the first and third Wednesdays. The meetings are held at JC’s restaurant at the Pine Hills Country Club. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.
If you are looking for or considering ways to give back and help this great community of ours, please come join us at a meeting and find out how you can be an asset to this wonderful community.
For more information please visit: morichesrotary.org.
Or message me, Tom Chieffo at 631-294-5365.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here