Legacy Projects

Ut was a natural fit for Gonnelli to offer to help a local Boca resident, Frank Blome, a 37-year-old, independent house painter, with no health insurance, suffering from congestive heart failure, and in desperate need of an organ transplant, that he could not afford. After learning of Blome’s situation, Paul launched (mostly single-handedly) a community wide campaign to organize many local events, fairs, pot luck dinners, etc.  He solicited donations from local churches, civic community, and social clubs, and others to partner, aiming for a heart for Frank Blome.

In 2003, the RCBR encountered one of the most unique opportunities for a combination Community Service and Charitable Fundraising Project in Club history.  Club Member Rick Taylor, General Contractor, was engaged by a client to complete a large tenant office remodel. When he arrived to survey the project, the exiting occupant, a wholesale toy distributor, had a room stacked high

In September 2002, a Boca Raton High School senior football player sustained a traumatic neck injury diving into a canal along Lake Ida in Delray Beach. Senior student, Matt Cousineau was partially paralyzed in the accident. As a part of his recovery, there was significant community assistance.

When the City of Boca Raton authorized the new construction of the Downtown Library Facility in 2011, the Rotary Club of Boca Raton recognized this as an opportunity to advance the cause of literacy, one of the principle mission objectives of Rotary International.