I am honored to be asked to be the President to our club. I truly believe that it is better to give than to receive and that in the long run, we get back more than we give. I know this hit home just about three years ago when I volunteered to run our holiday gift giving program. We had developed a relationship with an organization which helped misdirected teenagers and young adults. We did the usual holiday thing of purchasing presents and having a club meeting to wrap and tag the presents. While I thought the presents were what would make these young people happy, I was truly surprised at their desire and expectation of the arrival of Santa Claus (time donated by one of the members). To see the faces light up and the happiness that Santa, not the gifts, brought to the children was astonishing to me. I would have to say that for me that was the best Christmas I ever had because those happy faces have imprinted an indelible mark in my mind.
 

It is powerful to witness what we can accomplish as a dedicated club of individuals. As part of an international organization which affords us the opportunity to serve our local communities as well as the international community in vocation, education and health. Ours is an organization that encourages its membership to bring ideas of community service and helps make those ideas become a reality. Polio Plus is an example of the international community joining together and more recently with the Gates Foundation to eradicate polio throughout the world. As a result of the efforts of Rotary International, its Foundation and its partners, more than This illustrates the power of Rotary 2 billion children have receive oral vaccinations.
 

On the local front, our club received 3 Care and Share Awards for our Thanksgiving Basket program, the Liberian Clothing Drive and the Technology for Life program. We ran Christmas programs at the Trenton Rescue Mission and Lifeties, Inc., a dictionary was given to every 3rd grader in our area, scholarships to seniors at West Windsor-Plainsboro and Lawrenceville high schools, road side cleanup in town, a tailgate fundraiser at a Princeton football game and a yearly cleanup at a neglected cemetery. This year we are honored to nominate this years Ambassadorial Scholarship Recipient, 2Lt. Brady Dearden a West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South alumnus. Finally, Alexander Cauwels, a member and past president of our club, was installed as the District 7510 District Governor.
 

I want to acknowledge and thank our Friends of Rotary for teaming with us in supporting the many service projects which aid the local community and complement our overall goal.
 

I am proud to be President of such a group of professionals who enjoy helping others, serving the community and lots of fellowship. I invite you to visit our meetings to see what we are about.

All the Best,
Bill Madden
President