35 Years of Service Above Self: Cortland Breakfast Rotary Celebrates Major Milestone

The Cortland Breakfast Rotary Club is reflecting on over three decades of community impact as it celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

Chartered in 1991, the club began with a group of local leaders committed to the Rotary mission of “Service Above Self”. Since then, the organization has grown into a cornerstone of local philanthropy, donating more than $340,000 to causes throughout Cortland County.

The club’s early years were marked by significant milestones, including a visit from Rotary International President Raja Saboo in September 1991. Under the leadership of Charter President Sandy Samson, the club quickly established traditions that continue to this day.

One of the most enduring legacies is the club’s role as the sole source of funding for the McGraw Child Safety Program. This initiative provides critical safety education and materials to children, filling a gap for a program that receives no tax-dollar support.

One of the club’s most visible and lasting contributions is the Sherman Basketball Court in Truxton. Named in honor of the Sherman family—including George and Nancy Sherman, who were instrumental in the club’s early years—the project was a major physical undertaking for the organization.

The court was built and renovated to provide a high-quality recreational space for the youth of the Truxton area. The project remains a point of pride for charter members like Steve Cinquanti, who highlighted it as one of the “physical projects” that define the club’s hands-on approach to service. The connection to the Sherman family also extended into the club’s early fundraising efforts, such as the inaugural McGruff Golf Tournament held in June 1991, which featured George and Nancy Sherman and helped establish the club’s long-term financial support for the McGruff Child Safety Program. Which is entirely supported by donations.

Law Enforcement Support: The club purchased the City of Cortland’s first K-9 unit and continues to provide ongoing funding for the program.

Healthcare and Youth: The organization has contributed to major capital campaigns for the Cortland Regional Medical Center’s emergency and critical care units, while also sponsoring youth baseball and softball teams for decades.

Charter member Steve Cinquanti, who has been with the club since its 1989 founding, describes the journey as transformative.

“I think none of us at the time knew what we were signing up for,” Cinquanti said during a recent interview. “We had no idea how our lives would change as a result of Rotary: the network expansion, the friends that we’ve made over the years. A lot of my best friends, somehow or another, are connected to Rotary”.

Cinquanti noted that the club’s focus has consistently remained on youth and law enforcement, two areas where they felt they could make the most significant physical and social impact.

As the Cortland Breakfast Rotary enters its 36th year, its members remain focused on both local and global service, including annual contributions to Rotary International’s mission to eradicate polio.

The club continues to meet on Wednesday mornings at 7 am at the Center for the Arts of Homer and maintains an open-door policy for community members interested in joining their mission.

“The door is always open for folks that want to join us,” Cinquanti said. “We’re going to welcome you in. That’s one of the great things about Rotary”.

For more information on the club’s history or how to get involved, residents can visit cortlandbreakfastrotary.org.

Correction: In the 1s paragraph we had the club as chartered in 1989 and in the 3rd paragraph as 1991. It was established in 1991. We also had omitted what the McGruff Golf Tournament supports.