50 years of Rotary service spills over into Burlington fountain

The Rotary Club of Burlington celebrates its 50th anniversary at a ceremony on the town common on Tuesday. (From left) members Bob Hogan, Beverlee Vidoli, and John Tuccinardi.

As sales manager for Federal Heating in Winchester, John Tuccinardi is familiar with the volunteer efforts of many of the Rotary clubs in the company's 28-town service area. It was the Rotary Club of Burlington, however, that captured his attention.

"What drew me is the companionship, the camaraderie. The members are regular people who are involved in their community, but who also like to have fun," said Tuccinardi, a Tewksbury resident who attended numerous Rotary meetings in other towns before joining in Burlington in November 2003. He became president of the organization last year.

"Even if you as an individual don't have a lot of financial resources," he added, "you can still make a big difference."

In keeping with the Rotary motto of "service above self," the Burlington club is commemorating its 50th anniversary this year by giving a lasting gift that can be enjoyed by all the town's residents. At a ribbon-cutting ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, club members will dedicate a new fountain and patio on the town common. The ceremony will precede a concert on the common, also sponsored by the Rotary Club of Burlington, which will begin at 7 p.m.

Town Administrator Robert Mercier, a former club member, said a water element was a longtime wish-list item that "died on the vine" due to budget constraints.

"This is another example of the Rotary Club's commitment to giving back to the community," said Mercier, who has been monitoring the fountain's progress from his office window at Burlington Town Hall. "They thought it would be a nice token of appreciation for the town's support of their activities over the years. It's a wonderful gesture, and the selectmen and I appreciate it very much."

Burlington High School Principal Patrick Larkin said the club's influence is felt among the town's youth as well. In addition to distributing $15,000 in college scholarship funds annually to high school seniors, it sponsors the Interact Club, a junior Rotary Club with more than 40 high school students. In fact, the student and adult clubs worked together in January to donate a bookcase to Burlington High, complete with books promoting world peace and conflict resolution.

"It's nice to have a local group getting the kids involved in community service," Larkin said. "It wouldn't surprise me if a lot of them choose to [rejoin the club] later in life."

While the Rotary Club of Burlington isn't the oldest of its kind, Julia Phelps, Rotary Club District 7930 governor, said the milestone is still worthy of congratulations. According to Phelps, 1.2 million Rotarians belong to 32,000 Rotary Clubs in 168 countries. The first Rotary Club was founded in 1905 in Chicago.

"Fifty years is special," she said. "The list of what these local Rotarians have been able to accomplish is just incredible."

The Burlington group's president-elect, Beverlee Vidoli, whose one-year term will begin July 1, said her initial impression of the organization was that of a men's group - even though Rotary Clubs began accepting female members in 1986. Now, she said, one-quarter of the 44 members of the Burlington club's members - who range in age from 27 to over 60 - are women.

While one-third live outside Burlington, most work in the town. New members are always welcome, she said.

Bob Hogan, past president of the Rotary Club of Burlington and director of the town's veterans' services, said the membership can generally be broken down into three groups: those who do everything, those who participate in specific events according to their particular talents and interests, and those whose financial support of its year-round fund-raising events allows the club to fulfill its charitable mission.

Endeavors include donating $250 in fresh produce each month as well as Thanksgiving dinners for more than 100 families to the Burlington Food Pantry; sponsoring and coaching more than 30 Special Olympians in softball, basketball, and street hockey; sponsoring an annual dinner dance for senior citizens; promoting recycling by distributing bins to homeowners; and participating in dozens of additional activities.

Members also enjoy a global influence through Rotary International. In addition to embarking on clean water and education initiatives, the umbrella organization has received a $100 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to eradicate polio.

"This is a fun club, an exciting club," Vidoli said. "I can't imagine not being part of it."

The Rotary Club of Burlington hosts lunch and a guest speaker every Friday, 12-1:30 p.m., at the American Legion Hall located at 162 Winn St. in Burlington. For more information, visit burlingtonrotary.org.