(above) Ray Kostyack, recently received a 3rd Paul Harris recognition, collecting food.
Ray Kostyack Honored by Rotary Club of Westfield
Submitted by Dr. D. Michael Hart
The Rotary Club of Westfield honored Rotarian Ray Kostyack with a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his exemplifying Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self.” Ray is past president and a member of Rotary since 1998. He has served on the board of directors, chair of the Westfield Rotary Foundation, finance, and Community Grants committees. Additionally, Ray has been instrumental in the success of the club’s annual bicycle collection, Pedals for Progress, and in organizing and helping to run Rotary fundraisers, Breakfast with the Bands, and Small Plates for a Great Cause.
His contributions to the community are extensive. For over 25 years, Ray and his family have supported the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless in Elizabeth. And through Rotary, Ray has been spearheading a weekly collection of sandwiches and non-perishable food for St. Joseph’s Social Service Center that gets distributed directly to families in need during the pandemic. He has also been working with local Westfield restaurants to provide meals to the Community Hope homeless veterans shelter at Lyons VA. The meals are funded through Rotary and General Needs Charity.
Paul Harris founded Rotary in 1905 with the idea to create a network of local business people to support each other’s business while also providing service to the community. Today Rotary is a worldwide service organization with over 1.2 million members.
“To receive a Paul Harris is a great honor for a Rotarian,” says club president Liz Ensslin. “This is Ray’s 3rd Paul Harris recognition, and he is most deserving of being recognized for all he does for our club and greater community.”
“I am grateful for Rotary and Rotarians that inspire, support and assist in the projects that make our community and world a better place,” said Ray.
To learn more about Westfield Rotary, please visit westfieldrotary.com and visit us on Facebook at Rotary Club of Westfield, NJ. If you are interested in joining Rotary, please email membership from our website.
