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community service

Twin Cities Rotarians look ahead to Day of Service

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FITCHBURG — Rotarians from the Twin Cities and well beyond are gearing up for the annual Day of Service in May, the opportunity to do good in the communities they are dedicated to serving.

The Rotary Club of Fitchburg hosted over two dozen club members, fellow Rotarians from neighboring clubs including Brookline, Leominster, and the Montachusett Area, and other interested parties last week at the historic Fay Club to discuss plans for the upcoming Day of Service on May 20, a far-reaching Rotary effort.

The Rotary Club of Fitchburg hosted over two dozen interested parties last week at the historic Fay Club to discuss plans for the upcoming Day of Service on May 20. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
The Rotary Club of Fitchburg hosted over two dozen interested parties last week at the historic Fay Club to discuss plans for the upcoming Day of Service on May 20. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

“It is going to be an amazing day,” said Rotary Club of Fitchburg President Alexander Vera as he welcomed everyone to the meeting, adding that the goal is to one day turn it into a Rotary Day of Service “around the world.”

Fitchburg Rotarian Tracy Gagnon gave a brief overview of the Day of Service background and impact and mentioned the 450 Rotary clubs from several New England states and New Jersey as well as Bermuda that will be participating, 12,000 members that “will give back to their communities.”

She talked about what Rotarians will be doing that day, including collecting and distributing food and diapers, painting signs, spending the day at nursing homes, planting “kindness and giving gardens,” building beds “for children who don’t have a bed,” and so much more.

“Rotary … occupies a huge place in our hearts … [and] comes in so many shapes and sizes,” Gagnon said. “People come for service and stay for fellowship.”

Leominster Rotary Club President Johnny Ahern spoke about their Day of Service project, which will involve cleaning up and landscaping around the United Congregational Church downtown Leominster. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Leominster Rotary Club President Johnny Ahern spoke about their Day of Service project, which will involve cleaning up and landscaping around the United Congregational Church downtown Leominster. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Fellow Fitchburg Rotarian Heidi Bogner outlined what their club will be doing on May 20 at Phillips Playground, a neighborhood spot at the corner of Westminster Hill Road and Phillips Street that features a play structure and basketball court. Besides clean up of the playground and surrounding area “to make it pretty and presentable” by removing litter and such, they will be replacing the sandbox and collecting nonperishable food and diapers for the Fitchburg Salvation Army pantry.

Bogner, who has been instrumental in facilitating and arranging the logistics of the project, shared that they will be doing the sandbox “excavation ahead of time” with help from the Fitchburg Department of Public Works and organizing a building day in between that and the Day of Service, urging the Rotarians to sign up to volunteer and help.

The Fitchburg Salvation Army canteen will be on site May 20 with food and refreshments and Keep Fitchburg Beautiful will also be helping out.

“We want to help make it beautiful for the kids to play,” said Keep Fitchburg Beautiful President Sam Squailia, who is also a Rotary Club of Fitchburg member and Fitchburg City Councilor. “Someday there will be no more litter and we can just plant flowers.”

She added that they will bring supplies such as trash bags and grabbers as well as able bodied volunteers happy to help.

“We are very thankful to have Keep Fitchburg Beautiful part of this project,” Vera said.

Fitchburg Access Television crew member Robyn Comeau attended the meeting and grabbed footage for a PSA she’s putting together that the club will be able to use to promote the Day of Service, both locally and to a broader audience through a network that public access channels across the country can pull from.

Rotary Club of Fitchburg President Alexander Vera (left) presented fellow Fitchburg Rotarian and former city mayor Mary Whitney with a $500 check for the club's Blanket District Grant Project, which involved club members making blankets for foster children. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)
Rotary Club of Fitchburg President Alexander Vera, left, presented fellow Fitchburg Rotarian and former city Mayor Mary Whitney with a $500 check for the club’s Blanket District Grant Project, which involved club members making blankets for foster children. (DANIELLE RAY/SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE)

Leominster Rotary Club President Johnny Ahern talked about their Day of Service project, which entails clean up and “redoing all the landscape” around the United Congregational Church downtown Leominster.

“It’s nice to see a lot of different clubs coming together for this project,” said Ahern, who was recently named the Rotary District 7910 District Governor Nominee Designate to take over as District Governor 2025-2026.

The meeting wrapped up with Vera presenting Fitchburg Rotarian and former city mayor Mary Whitney with a $500 check for the club’s Blanket District Grant Project, which involved club members making blankets for foster children.

Citizens of the Year: Suzanne Koehler and her dedication to special education

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LEOMINSTER — City resident and published author Mark Bodanza said it best in his book “Risk Takers & History Makers: The Story of Leominster”, when he wrote: “When you spend a lifetime loving your community with your time, talent and care, they love you back.”

Two Leominster residents — Suzanne Koehler and Joseph DeCarolis Jr. — who have spent a lifetime loving their community, and their families, will be honored at this year’s 29th Starburst celebration

Starburst will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Doyle Field, ending with the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. The event will feature live music by the 40-piece Starburst Band and local music groups, food provided by local vendors, and the presentation of this year’s Citizens of the Year.

Suzanne Koehler honored for her dedication to special education

Suzanne Koehler may not be a Leominsterite by birth, but her heart has resided here for the past 43 years. This includes raising her three children, Erich, Jen and Shawn within these city limits.

Providing for and exposing her children to all that Leominster offered was the motivating factor for her entrance into volunteerism.

Suzanne Koehler is pictured with her grandchildren, left to right, Liam Shay, Owen Shay, Luke Shay, and Lily Shay, in Newport, RI. (COURTESY THE KOEHLER FAMILY)
Suzanne Koehler is pictured with her grandchildren, left to right, Liam Shay, Owen Shay, Luke Shay, and Lily Shay, in Newport, RI. (COURTESY THE KOEHLER FAMILY)

“This began when my youngest child, Shawn, was an infant,” Koehler said. “He had health issues and that is when I recognized the necessity for reaching out to others and forging a communal foundation, especially not having my family close by.”

Education was always important to Koehler as she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting attending night school while working full time. She was active when her children started school. She served as treasurer for St. Leo Boy Scout Troop 11 and followed her daughter, Jen, through her many sports endeavors whether playing for Leominster Youth Soccer or St. Bernard’s Central Catholic High School.

“What any parent of a special needs child is never prepared for is the many challenges that lie ahead,” she said. “I embraced the challenge and sought out all opportunities to learn about the laws, availability of services, and the power of networking with other parents and educators.”

At the encouragement of many friends and acquaintances, Koehler ran for a seat on the Leominster School Committee in 1993, when the Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993 called for dramatic changes in public education.

“Among the major provisions of the act were greater and more equitable funding to schools, accountability for student learning, and statewide standards for students, educators, schools and districts,” Koehler said.

She successfully served for the next 28 years, helping to enforce the education reforms in Leominster and made a difference in the lives of Leominster students, especially those with special needs.

She became an advocate for implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, providing equal access to education in the least restrictive environment.

“I enjoyed serving as a member and chairperson on the MA Association of School Committees Special Education subcommittee for several years, working with school committee members across the state to promote equity, funding and IDEA compliance,” she said.

Koehler was later awarded the honor of Life Membership by the association in 2019.

She also served many years on the CAPS Collaborative Board, as a voting member for Leominster and as finance chair. She served in many roles on the Leominster School Committee, including vice chair of the School Committee and chair of the Finance subcommittee, where she focused on fiscal accountability to taxpayers.

“I served on the Friends of the Leominster Public Library Board for several years,” she added. “And continue to maintain finances and serve on the St. Leo’s School Advisory Board.”

She currently serves as treasurer of Ginny’s Helping Hand, is a fundraising volunteer for Beacon of Hope and a member, and former treasurer and president of the Leominster Lions Club.

Koehler retired from Hanover Insurance Co. after 32 years in the financial services industry and then started a second career at her current employer Sterilite Corp. as a cash accountant.

“What I am most proud of, however, is successfully raising my three children as a single parent and sharing in their accomplishments,” Koehler said.

“Erich is a captain in the U.S. Park Police and lives in Virginia with his spouse, David. Jen is a physical therapist and lives in Connecticut with her spouse, Nate, and their four children — Luke, Owen, Liam, and Lily — Grammy’s pride and joy,” she said with a smile. “Shawn is active in Leominster, working at Hannaford on Lancaster Street and volunteering at Ginny’s Helping Hand, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and is a member of the Beacon of Hope and the Leominster Lions Club.”

Koehler says she is very humbled to be chosen as Leominster’s 2022 Citizen of the Year.

“I count my blessings of my family and friends and their support of my community involvement,” she said. “It truly takes a village to raise a child and I can think of no better place to raise children than Leominster!”

Co-chairs of the Citizens of the Year Committee, Nancy Koski and Diane Sanabria are responsible for selecting two worthy Leominster residents, a man, and a woman, to recognize at the Starburst celebration.

“Nancy and I would like to congratulate Joe and Sue, whose volunteerism, contributions to our community, and civic pride help make Leominster such a wonderful city to call home,” Sanabria said. “They are stellar examples of why this award was established.”

Citizens of the Year: Joseph DeCarolis Jr. and his legacy of good work ethic, community service

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LEOMINSTER — City resident and published author Mark Bodanza said it best in his book “Risk Takers & History Makers: The Story of Leominster,” when he wrote: “When you spend a lifetime loving your community with your time, talent and care, they love you back.”

Two Leominster residents — Suzanne Koehler and Joseph DeCarolis Jr. — who have spent a lifetime loving their community, and their families, will be honored at this year’s 29th Starburst celebration

Starburst will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, at Doyle Field, ending with the traditional fireworks display at 9 p.m. The event will feature live music by the 40-piece Starburst Band and local music groups, food provided by local vendors, and the presentation of this year’s Citizens of the Year.

Joseph DeCarolis Jr. distinguished for his work ethic and community service

At a young age, Joseph DeCarolis Jr., along with his sisters Marcia, Margot and Christine grew up witnessing public service firsthand as their father, Joseph DeCarolis Sr., was a prominent school principal for over 30 years.

“He served the public and helped countless children and their families,” DeCarolis said. “It was instilled in us then that public service was part of our civic duty and a responsibility owed to our community.”

DeCarolis, a lifelong Leominster resident, was born to Joseph Sr. and Karen DeCarolis, He graduated from Leominster High School in 1979, and from Lowell University earning a degree in business administration in 1983.

From his parents, DeCarolis says, he and his siblings learned what strong work ethics, empathy and the importance of family meant.

Joseph DeCarolis, Jr. is pictured spending time with his wife, Lisa DeCarolis and their granddaughter, Lacey Erickson, at Wells Beach, Maine. (COURTESY THE DECAROLIS FAMILY)
Joseph DeCarolis, Jr. is pictured spending time with his wife, Lisa DeCarolis and their granddaughter, Lacey Erickson, at Wells Beach, Maine. (COURTESY THE DECAROLIS FAMILY)

DeCarolis met his future wife, Lisa Colecchi, in 1985 and they married in 1987. They started their family in 1989 with the birth of their first son, Thomas followed by a daughter, Kayla and a son, Timothy.

While starting a new family, DeCarolis Insurance Agency was founded in 1987 and is proudly celebrating 35 years in business.

“I am thankful that with the support of my family, friends, employees and loyal customers the agency has become very successful,” DeCarolis said. “Which has allowed us to give back to the community throughout the years.”

Sports have always been an integral part of life in the DeCarolis family, and that is something he says he is proud of.

“I played basketball and football all through school, but as a player, I am most proud of being a member of the undefeated 1978 Super Bowl Champion football team,” he said. “I treasure the lifelong friendships made from my years on that team and the honor of being inducted into the Leominster Football Hall of Fame.”

Pursuing his love of football, DeCarolis went on to coach for 15 years, touching the lives of many young men and their families who still visit him to this day.

“It was important to me that no player ever went without equipment, tickets for their families or anything else they needed,” said DeCarolis.

All in all, he was involved in nine Super Bowls that Leominster participated in, winning six of them.

“Several of those teams are also in the Hall of Fame,” he said. “I am proud of that accomplishment.”

Carrying on the football tradition, DeCarolis has helped establish and fund the Leominster Football Booster Club. As a member of the Doyle Field Foundation, he assisted with many of the football field renovation projects. The home side ticket booth at Doyle Field, which he donated, bears the DeCarolis name.

“Our family football tradition was carried on through my sons Tom and Tim playing for LHS, and my daughter Kayla as a cheerleader and currently a coach,” he added.

DeCarolis’ contributions are many.

He donates annually to St. Anna’s Food Pantry, Sholan Farms, Leominster Access TV, Starburst, Johnny Appleseed Festival, Rotary Club projects, Leominster Recreation projects, Little League teams, Leominster Legion, Adopt a Family program through the Salvation Army, ALS Compassionate Care, Cystic Fibrosis, Leominster Athletic Hall of Fame, Hanger Foundation, Leominster High School scholarships, Boy Scouts of America, Susan Komen Cancer Walk, and has donated numerous sporting event tickets for fundraisers.

He also ran the Boston Marathon twice raising money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. He and his family have contributed much more to the Leominster community that goes unspoken.

“One of my favorite events is the annual ‘Maine-iac Golf’ outing held in Maine of which a portion of the fees are donated to a local business or family in need,” DeCarolis said.

He is a longtime New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox season ticket holder with his close friends.

“Lisa and I feel very fortunate for our family that has grown over the years,” he said.

They enjoy spending time with Tom and Natasha and their boys Cash and Silas, Kayla and John and their daughter Lacey, Tim and Lexi, and two dogs Bella and Brady.

He enjoys yearly vacations to Disney World, golfing and most especially enjoys their home in Wells Beach, Maine

“Growing up in Leominster was and is an amazing experience for myself and my three sisters and now for our children and grandchildren,” DeCarolis said. “Our city has a tremendous history, and we are proud to be a part of it.”

Co-chairs of the Citizens of the Year Committee, Nancy Koski and Diane Sanabria are responsible for selecting two worthy Leominster residents, a man, and a woman, to recognize at the Starburst celebration.

“Nancy and I would like to congratulate Joe and Sue, whose volunteerism, contributions to our community, and civic pride help make Leominster such a wonderful city to call home,” Sanabria said. “They are stellar examples of why this award was established.”