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Food Program Our food program began in early 2009, and is focused on helping to alleviate hunger in our community; it has three major elements:  (1) A monthly food drive - collection and distribution of food from customers of local supermarkets to local food pantries, (2) Monday through Saturday collection and distribution of day-old bread and baked goods, and (3) Special large-scale, bulk purchases of food and related supplies for local pantries and soup kitchens.  In addition, Babylon Rotary periodically purchases major appliances and equipment, and provides other financial support for community food distribution projects.This highly-regarded program, the largest single contributor to the regular restocking of shelves and supplies in a dozen food pantries and soup kitchens, has received countless accolades and thanks from grateful recipients, many of whom have described the program as “indispensible”.
 
 Scholarships Each year our club awards scholarships to high school students in the school districts within our service area.  Over its 56-year history, this project has awarded scholarships totaling nearly a half million dollars.  
 
Dictionary Project The current Dictionary Project is an outgrowth of the Legacy of Literacy Project that Babylon Rotary conducted in local elementary schools for many years. Our Dictionary Project parallels the essential elements of a nationwide project, initiated 20 years ago. We conduct a short, introductory program for third-graders in a target elementary school, distribute dictionaries, thesauri and usage guides to the students, and instruct them on their use and everyday value.
 
Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck The camp is managed by the Rotary Club of the Moriches to provide camping and recreational opportunities to handicapped children.  Each summer,  several Babylon Rotary Club volunteers, families and friends join the activities and host a BBQ cookout for all of the campers and counselors - always an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  More information on Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck is available at www.camppaquetuck.org
 
Arbor Day Tree Program The Babylon Rotary Club donates, sorts, boxes and distributes 2,000 Norway Spruce saplings to first grade students in area schools each year; each child then individually plants and cares for one or more of them.  Tens of thousands of trees have been distributed to the children over the life of this program. Babylon Rotary conducts an Annual Arbor Day Celebration program at one of our local elementary schools where we advise students on the history and value of Arbor Day, and on the importance of conservation
 
Disaster Assistance  We regularly contribute to disaster relief throughout the world, generally through local Rotary clubs in the affected areas
 
Student Exchange  Our club has hosted many Rotary Exchange Students over the years. These students come from all over the world to experience a year of high school in our community
 
 Interact  We sponsor a student Rotary Interact club in the Babylon High School which has been very active in a broad range of fund-raising support and service activities, including Rotary’s Gift of Life program, Earth Day, pediatric health care, book drives and supplies for our military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan
 
Rotoract  Our club is a co-sponsor of the Hofstra Rotoract Club. Their membership numbers over 200 college students who conduct a wide variety of charitable events, and assist with Babylon Rotary fundraisers
 
Joint Bulgarian Project   We conduct a joint international project with the Rotary Club of Samokov, Bulgaria, providing scholarships for Bulgarian high school students
 
Fundraisers
 
Golf Outing   We hold an annual “Golf for Kids” spring classic at a local course for a day of fun and fellowship on the links, and to raise funds for a variety of local and national children’s programs 
 
10 K "Dirty Sock" Run Initiated in August, 2006, this highly-successful event has become a classic Long Island run. Over 700 runners, including many of the Tri-state region’s best, compete on a unique and beautiful trail run from Babylon Village to Belmont Lake State Park and back.   A commendable effort by about 100 village community organizers and Rotary volunteers allows us to give a substantial contribution to local food pantries each year

 

Wine and Food Expo A highly-imitated event, this major annual fundraiser was held at the LaGrange Inn in West Islip, NY for 16 years, and is now held at the Long Island Yacht Club in Babylon, NY.  Attendees sample delectables from dozens of local restaurants and wine merchants from throughout the country, and vie for a host of valuable prizes offered through a variety of auctions and raffles.