Mount Kisco is partnering with the South African Pretoria-Silverton Club in a Literacy and Skills Development Project that will reach thousands of under-privileged school children.

Teachers, deprived of skills by decades of apartheid, will be trained to teach literacy more effectively, and be given the tools to do this. Thousands of children will become literate more quickly, and develop the skills to enter a modern economy.

Africa is in trouble. South Africa, with its strong infrastructure and committed Rotarians, is well placed to educate its populace, and begin to turn the tide from poverty to economic activity on the whole continent.

Mount Kisco Rotary is proud to be sponsoring this ambitious project.

May 25, 2000

To: Mt. Kisco Historical Society and 150 year Journal Committee:

The following is a summation of Mt. Kisco Rotary's history and involvement with Mt. Kisco. This information is suitable for placement, along with our group photo, in the planned TIME CAPSULE and SESQUICENTENNIAL JOURNAL.

The Mt. Kisco Rotary Club received its charter in January, 1954. The club's first president was Jack Sutherland (of Fox & Sutherland fame).

The club is comprised of men and women who represent their occupation. Members meet Wednesday 's for lunch at the Mt. Kisco Holiday Inn.

Throughout the 46 years of its existence the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" has served as the guiding light for all of Mt. Kisco Rotary's activities.

Just a few of the community betterment projects accomplished by the men and women of Mt. Kisco Rotary through the years are:

• Raised funds from WVIP "Rotary Radio Days". These " radiothons" allowed the club to purchase and donate a life support device for Northern Westchester Hospital. Additionally, subsequent Radio Days allowed the club to purchase and donate furniture and supplies for the Wuchinich Room at the Mt. Kisco Library, the Boy's and Girl's Club and Mt. Kisco's Day Care Center.
• Hosted Rotary exchange students from Japan, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Norway and Belgium.
• Purchased bullet-proof vests for Mt. Kisco's Police Department.
• Purchased heat seeking sensors for Mt. Kisco's Volunteer Fire Department.
• Initiated and sponsored DARE project along with Mt. Kisco's Police Department.
• Helped renovate Mt. Kisco Senior Citizens's Fox Center.
• Through "Gift of Life" brought a Jamaican boy to Mt. Kisco to have life saving heart surgery.
• Provides three (3) college scholarships each year to Fox Lane High School seniors. Provides scholarships for needy children to attend the Boy's and Girl's Club of Northern Westchester.
• Participated with Rotary clubs all over the world in immunizing children against polio.

The following is a list of Mt. Kisco Rotary's 2000-2001 officers and directors:

• President: Brian Skanes
• Vice President: Viktor Solarik
• Secretary: Dr. Eugene L. Hirsch
• Treasurer: Nick Centerani
• Director of Club Service (A): Adrian Marcus
• Director of Vocational Service (B): Mace Rattet
• Director of Community Service (C): Wayne Ciano
• Director of International Service (D): Peter Grunthal

For further information about Rotary, in general, and Mt. Kisco Rotary, specifically, write to the club's secretary:
Dr. Eugene L. Hirsch
P.O. Box 757
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
e-mail chirogene@aol.com

• The annual fishing derby
• The annual Senior Citizen Lunch
• $1000 scholarship to assist in tuition for Camp Iriquois
• Annual sponsorship of a minor league softball team