Sunrise Rotary Induction

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Sunrise celebrated 42 years of its history when they came together on Friday evening, April 25, in the function room of the La Tavola Restaurant, where they inducted new officers and board members for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.

You might say that the roster of Rotarian members over that span of 42 years encompasses a list of very prominent names that have had a great deal to do with the many successes attributed to the community that we live in today. Prominent attorneys, developers, business owners, and other well-known professionals, as well as many other prominent family names in leadership positions within the community, can be found in the Rotarian roster of names.

Members, spouses, and guests were welcomed to the gathering by outgoing President Rebecca Snyder, who introduced Past Rotary District Governor Rich Kirschner for the invocation. Snyder thanked the Board and those members of the club who helped to make the 2024-2025 Rotary year a success for the Sunrise Club.

Last year's Rotarian of the Year Recipient, Sue Purvis, presented the 2024-2025 Rotarian of the Year award to a very surprised John Apolzan for his continued dedication to the club in its many projects during the last year and in his role as Sergeant-at-Arms. A very humbled Apolzan thanked his fellow Rotarians for the honor of being chosen for the award and promised to continue his service to the club.

Snyder proudly listed off a number of accomplishments over the last year which enabled the club to donate tens of thousands of dollars back into the community. Included was $35,000 in scholarships to local students along with other non-profit donations to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, Meals of Hope, the Alzheimer’s Research, Christmas Island Style, Baby Basics of Collier County, LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Domestic Violence) lunch for Camp Able attendees, and more.

When it was time to turn over the gavel for the 2025-2026 Rotary year, Rebecca Snyder wasn’t turning it over to a stranger; husband Neil Snyder assumed the role he had almost a decade ago. Neil Snyder had also served in the District Governor’s position.

Past District Governor Rich Kirschner swore in the new officers and Directors of the Sunrise Rotary Club and wished them well during their next year in office.