Rotary International Service Above Self Award 

(by District Governor Mary Shackleton)
 
I am proud to announce that Larry Cohen has been recognized by Rotary International with the Service Above Self Award, one of the highest distinctions in service for Rotarians who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talent! 
 
Larry is the Immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of New York, and he led his Club through the early days of the COVID pandemic. In response to the emerging crisis he established a partnership with World Central Kitchen and Farms to Food Banks to address food insecurity while supporting local farmers. Working together with the support of the NY Rotary Foundation and other Rotary Clubs, they sourced more than 150,000 pounds of fresh produce and dairy products from Hudson Valley farms and distributed boxes of food to thousands of families in need in New York City. He also partnered with the Rotary Club of Taipei in a concert fundraiser to provide Personal Protective Equipment for healthcare workers in NY.
 
Before COVID response became the primary focus of his year as president, Larry honored his Club’s historic 110th year by raising more than $110,000 for the eradication of Polio including matching funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These donations will make it possible to vaccinate nearly 200,000 children in developing countries. He also partnered with Rotary and Rotaract Clubs on service projects to support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House and to distribute meals and packages of essential items with the Coalition for the Homeless.
 
Those of us privileged to call him a friend know no one more willing to do the heavy lifting or contribute to a worthy cause. Many in District 7230 will remember Larry and Jim Kushner partnering with Rotary Clubs in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to supply water filtration systems, solar lanterns and medical supplies for disaster relief and providing funds to help repair homes and community centers during the recovery efforts.
 
In the past he led a team of Rotaractors on a bridge building trip to an indigenous community in Latin America with Bridges to Prosperity. The team worked side-by-side with the community to build a footbridge that provides safe access to schools, clinics, and markets.
 
Larry’s first Rotary meeting was in Nicaragua while on a bridge building trip in an isolated community, and when he returned to NY, he started visiting local Clubs, meeting Rotarians, and volunteering on local service projects leading to an invitation to join the Rotary Club of New York.
 
Larry's many accomplishments (that he wears so humbly) won't fit in this small space, so please use the hyperlink below to read a recent biography.
 

 

 More About Larry!