Rotary Club of Grand Island holds second successful Shred-It fundraiser

By Michael J. Billoni

Laura Zaepfel, vice president of corporate relations at Uniland Development Co., took advantage of her sequestered time at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic to finally go through files of important papers and box those she no longer needed. A problem, she quickly found out, was where she could go with these boxes of papers to be shredded.

A few days after completing the task in late June, she saw a social media post promoting the annual Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Shred-It event. Travelling from Clarence, she arrived at the KeyBank on Grand Island Boulevard, only to find herself in a long line of cars with items to be shredded. After nearly an hour of waiting, a Rotary Club member approached her vehicle to explain the Shred-It truck was completely full, but there would be another event in two weeks.

She gave them her contact information and, when confirmation of a second Rotary Club of Grand Island Shred-It event – co-sponsored by the Fuccillo Automotive Group of Grand Island and Madison Carpet One – would be held July 11, Zaepfel planned to arrive early (and with more boxes).

“It was great,” she explained on a rainy but busy Saturday outside of KeyBank in the Tops plaza. “I was able to find more files to go through, so it gives me great satisfaction that I can see these important documents being shredded. But more than that, we are able to help the Rotary Club support its many causes in the community.”

Christine Learman of Christine A. Learman, CPA, on Baseline Road, a Rotary Club board member and chair of its annual Shred-It, and Sherry Miller, club president, were ecstatic with the success of these two fundraising events held within two weeks of each other.

“It is apparent many Islanders and others used some of their time at home to clean out files, because we had many people drive up with dozens of boxes, which is great for our club,” Learman said.

Miller said the funds will help the club achieve Rotary’s goal of “Service Above Self,” especially as it prepares to help the community recover its vibrancy as it looks beyond the current pandemic.

One of the community projects the group supports is the Miracle League. This summer, the Rotary Club will make a $2,500 donation toward its $25,000 commitment.

To improve traffic flow on July 11, Pinto Dumpsters of Grand Island donated one of its Dumpsters for the empty cardboard boxes. As a “thank you” for donations, Colvin Cleaners of Kenmore donated gift cards for each customer.

“The Panepinto family is proud to support Grand Island businesses, nonprofit organizations, clubs and schools, and we were happy to be part of another Rotary Club of Grand Island’s successful Shred-It event,” said Georgio Panepinto, president of Pinto Sanitation.

Chris Billoni, vice president of Colvin Cleaners, added, “Our home delivery truck is on Grand Island twice a week, so we have a close connection to that community, and our company always looks for ways to assist organizations like the Rotary Club fulfill its mission of helping others.”

For further information about the Rotary Club of Grand Island, visit www.rotaryclubgi.org.

Rotary Club members filling a Pinto Dumpster with cardboard during a Shred-It event.

Laura Zaepfel, left, with Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Past President Richard Earne at the club’s recent fundraiser. (Photos courtesy of the Rotary Club of Grand Island)