Devon Rotary Projects
We are beyond excited that our program to feed needy families in Milford has launched. Thanks to Milford Bridge House and Lasses Restaurant for partnering with us. Thank you to the Devon Rotarians who put a lot of time in to coordinate this team effort for the community. Currently we have served over 500 meals. #milfordct #serviceaboveself #rotary #devonrotary
Devon Rotary Club President Erika Shea presents a donation to Beth El Executive Director Jennifer Paradise, in a social-distancing-appropriate way.
The donation represented club funds and those from a Rotary District 7980 grant the club received. Devon Rotary also supports Beth El by providing about 70 lunches to clients once a month and paying for a complete cleaning of its kitchen once a year.
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LIBERTY ROCK HISTORICAL PARK
Mayor James Richitelli dedicated an historical park at the colonial site of Liberty Rock on the Boston Post Road. Devon Rotarian James Hassenmayer conveyed the property to the city for a nominal amount, the conveyance being sip[revised by Paul Austin. Engineer Ray Macaluso laid out the site which was landscape designed by Vin Lambiase. Ralph Barbiero, Phd, of the Board of Education had his students research the history of Milford and create the narrative set forth on the signage for the park. In addition to the pro bono contributions of Devon Rotarians Jimmy, Paul, Ray and Vinny, the club expended in excess of $125,000.00 for the project and continues to maintain the park to this day.
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THE DEVON ROTARY PAVILION at WALNUT BEACH -Devon Rotary bestowed upon the city the Devon Rotary Pavilion at Walnut Beach. Past President, Ray Macaluso shepherded the project through the city, then designed and oversaw the construction of the west shore landmark. The pavilion is maintained by the Devon Rotary Club with members Vin Lambiase and Mark Krom chairing the oversight. The club’s contribution to the project was over $150,000.00 plus the efforts of club members.
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YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Throughout its existence, Devon Rotary has sponsored little league teams, recreational basketball teams and girls softball. A great friend of the Club was Bill Duncan who operated Devon Knights Basketball. The purpose of the league was to provide boys and girls ages 8-14 the opportunity to play in an instructional setting. The league was “no-cut” providing basketball for youths left out of the more competitive leagues. In 1999, due to age, Bill was unable to continue and Devon Rotary took over the league. The league had over 440 participants when it was transferred to the city as the official Recreation Department program.
Devon Rotary renovated the basketball floor at Fannie Beach Community Center. 
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DEVON ROTARY DAY
In recognition that the Devon Rotary Club exceeded $1,000,000.00 in charitable giving, Mayor Benjamin G. Blake declared June 4, 2012 as Devon Rotary Day in the City of Milford. Formal ceremonies were held at the Aldermanic Meeting that evening.
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BETH-EL LUNCHES
Devon Rotarians meet monthly to serve lunch at the Beth El Shelter....... 
HOT CHOCOLATE FOR THE TREE LIGHTING
Find Devon Rotary at Milford Bank on the Friday after Thanksgiving for some hot chocolate and cookies.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Devon Rotary awards over $20,000.00 per year in financial grants to high school students each and every year.
Twice a year, the club hosts a breakfast at which high school juniors from each high school (public, vocational, parochial) are recognized for contributions to their school, city and international endeavors. The students receive the Dodie Ireland Service Above Self Award given to exhibit Rotary’s core principal and named for a past member who was a beacon of public service during her wonderful life. The students also are given a stipend in thanks for their good works.
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MILFORD HOSPITAL EMERGENCY WAITING ROOM
When Milford Hospital was modernizing and expanding I the 1990’s, Devon Rotary was called upon to assist. Seeking to interface with the public, the club outfitted the Emergency Waiting Room at a cost of $50,000.00. The area was dedicated in 1996 by the Board of Trustees of the hospital.
FLAGPOLES
The first capital project undertaken by the Devon Rotary Club was the installation of a flagpole at the entrance to Devon from Stratford. The public work was masterminded by member Ed Zukowski, who with the help pf Public Works Director Bruce Kolwicz erected the flagpole totally at the cost of the club. The flagpole was moved in 2000 by Devon Rotary to the park on the Milford side of the Washington Bridge.
Ray Macaluso also had a flagpole installed at the Jonathan Law High School football field (2003), a state of the art scoreboard at the soccer field at the former Milford Academy (2004) and granite tea markers at the Orchards Municipal Golf Course (1999).
Due to structural damage, the old pole on the Milford Green had to go. Foundation chair, Raymond Macaluso designed a new pole and oversaw installation. The pole is the tallest publicly owned flagpole in Connecticut. The total cost to Devon Rotary was over $55,000.00. The flagpole was dedicated Memorial Day Weekend, 2014, in a ceremony on the Green co-hosted by Mayor Blake and Paul Lewis Otzel.
