Welcome to the Rotary E-Club of Sunshine, New York

We are one of the newest Clubs in Rotary District 7230, chartered on 22 November 2021
Rotarians have a vision:

“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Club Provides Warmth and Hope to Orphaned Girls in Bangladesh

In a heartfelt continuation of its longstanding international service efforts, the Sunshine NY Rotary Club recently provided winter fleece hoodies to 40 young orphan girls at a partner orphanage in Chandpur, Bangladesh—an institution the Club has supported for nearly a decade.

As winter temperatures dropped sharply across Bangladesh in late December and early January, vulnerable communities faced unusually intense cold conditions. Responding swiftly, the Club arranged for the distribution of thick, high-quality red fleece hoodies, each proudly displaying the Sunshine NY Rotary Club logo on the back. The hoodies not only provided essential warmth but also served as a symbol of care and connection from across the globe.

To maximize impact and cost efficiency, the hoodies were procured locally in Bangladesh at a fraction of the cost compared to sourcing them from the United States. This approach allowed the Club to extend the project’s reach beyond the orphanage. In addition to the 40 girls, many more hoodies were distributed to individuals in surrounding communities who were in urgent need of protection from the cold.

This initiative was made possible through the generosity of Sunshine NY Rotary Club members and the efforts of Syed Mahfuz, who coordinated the production and distribution of the hoodies.

Since its establishment in 2021, the Sunshine NY Rotary Club has been providing winter clothing both locally in the NY/NJ area and in parts of Bangladesh, continuing its commitment to service above self.

Club Brings clean water to communities

Our Club has been very active in implementing projects to bring clean water to various communities where there is a great need. During the last year, Sunshine NY Rotary has provided 12 tube wells to remote communities in Bangladesh. Today, Sunshine Rotary continues its mission to bring clean, safe water to the people of our villages — one tube well at a time. Sunshine Rotary’s flagship project, Gift of Water, is bringing clean, safe water to remote villages through our international service efforts. By reaching communities that need it most, we are improving health, education, and opportunity — one drop at a time.

Our club has made it a priority to bring the gift of water to communities that need it most. Through wells, filtration systems, and sustainable solutions, we are helping families drink safely, children stay healthy, and entire villages thrive.

This is not just a project — it is a promise.

One of the tube wells was donated by a dedicated Sunshine Rotary member in loving memory of her beloved grandfather. Though he is no longer in this world, his kindness lives on in every drop of water that now brings hope to families in need. What a beautiful way to honor a loved one — by giving life, comfort, and dignity to others.  Another member donated a tube well in memory of her parent.  Donations like these provided the necessary funding for the tube wells.

In Bangladesh thee are areas where the ground water is contaminated by arsenic.  In these areas, it is necessary to dig deep tube-well sometimes up to 400 feet to ensure that the water is free of arsenic.  These deep tube wells cost about 3 times the amount for a standard depth tube well - putting it well beyond the capacity of the local population.  In other areas, a standard tube-well provides the necessary clean water.  A government programme tests the water from these wells and paints the head units green for safe water or red - meaning to be only used for washing - not for drinking or cooking.

First, through our contacts, we identify communities that would benefit from having access to clean water.  Then arrangements are made with a local resident who agrees to provide the land where the tube well will be installed.  The owner guarantees that the local population wil have round-the-clock access to the tube well and no restrictions will be placed on the use of the water.  They also agree to ensure regular maintenance of the tube well.  With our Club funding, local expertise is engaged to install the tube well.  

Every time a child fills a cup… every time a mother draws water for her family… every time a villager no longer has to walk miles under the sun… her legacy shines a little brighter.

 This is more than a tube well — it is love turned into action.

 It is remembrance transformed into service.

 It is humanity at its best.

If this act of compassion touches your heart, you too can be part of this journey. Many villages still wait for clean water — and your support can change their lives forever.

Let’s spread hope together.

Let’s build a future where no one is left thirsty.

 Your kindness today becomes someone’s blessing tomorrow and the days after..

Club Honors its Newest Paul Harris Fellow

Syed Mahfuz is our Club's newest Paul Harris Fellow - our 10th PH Fellow. The Club honored Syed with this award in recognition of his worldwide humanitarian activities, the latest of which included his donation of a second school bus to a children's school in Tanzania. The bus is being painted with our Club Logo.

Earlier, Syed Mahfuz, a dedicated humanitarian based in Japan, recently embarked on a heartwarming journey to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a mission to brighten the lives of children at the Atlas School. Representing the Rotary Club of Sunshine New York in D7230, Syed generously donated 400 handkerchiefs and a much-needed children’s school bus to the school.

The children of Atlas School welcomed Syed with overwhelming joy, expressing their gratitude by waving the handkerchiefs he provided and singing songs in his honor. This gesture of kindness left a lasting impression on both Syed and the entire community.

Originally from Bangladesh and a former Rotaractor, Syed now resides in Japan where he manages his own business alongside his family. As a charter member and International Service Director of the Rotary Club of Sunshine, Syed continues to champion educational initiatives worldwide. He also serves as a Director at the Monu Mia & Sultana Orphanage in Sreepur, Bangladesh, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes.

Syed's philanthropic endeavors extend beyond Tanzania. In late 2021, he donated a minivan to the Hamilton Rotary Club in Bermuda, aiding an organization dedicated to supporting children affected by gun violence. In 2022, Syed furthered his support by donating three school buses to the same school in Tanzania, marking the Rotary Club of Sunshine's inaugural international project of the year 2024

Among their diverse international efforts, the Rotary Club of Sunshine has facilitated access to safe drinking water for rural communities in Bangladesh, provided educational resources such as children's books to underprivileged girls, and offered crucial infrastructure support to a girls' orphanage. Closer to home, the club has made significant contributions, including providing food support to immigrant families in the Bronx, donating laptops to autistic children, and collaborating with the sister Rotary Club of Hope, NY, to supply men’s clothing and hygiene items to "The Living Room," a local homeless shelter.

Syed Mahfuz's inspiring journey exemplifies the transformative impact of community service and international cooperation, showcasing how small gestures of kindness can make a world of difference. His dedication to improving lives across continents is a testament to the power of compassion and the enduring spirit of Rotary's mission.

Club begins 2026 by Sponsoring New Caused-based Rotary Club

Our Club has sponsored a new caused-based Rotary Club in our District - the Rotary Club of Gentle Light which was granted its charter by Rotary International on 20 January 2026. The new Club with 15 members will focus on working with children with special needs and their care-givers. It's charter President is from our own Club Rotarian Mohammed Tofayel Ahmed.

The club will formally begin its activities following a short period of organization. Charter President Tofayel forming this Club has been his dream for quite a while. He is looking forward to collaborating with New York City agencies and knowledgeable individuals and intends to undertake meaningful projects in the short and long-run aimed at addressing the particular needs of the Special children and their care-givers particularly those of the South Asian diaspora living in the New York City area.

This club is one of clubs formed through the newly-created North American Club creation Team. PDG Mahbub Ahmad has been assigned to be the Advisor for this new Club, and will soon be assigned to one of Area of the District with an Assistant Governor.

The seeds of the Club were sown at the Thanksgiving gathering in November where our Club sponsored a lunch get-together for Special Needs Children and their care-givers. About 55 people attended the event and most of the charter members signed up at the event attended by the District-Governor Elect Dr. Maksud Chowdhury, PDG Mahbub Ahmad, North American Club Creation Team Founding Member Bina Ahmad, as well as representatives of te Rotary Clubs of Promise, Sunshine, Heritage.

Honoring Special People