Freeport-Merrick Rotary Club Awards Two Merrick Library Volunteers

Two women who have voluntarily dedicated their time to improving the Merrick Library were honored at the Freeport-Merrick Rotary Dinner recently.

Loraine Stayer, the president of the Friends of the Merrick Library and Susan Dillon, president of the board of trustees of the Merrick Library, were presented with the Civic Leadership award in recognition of their volunteer work for the library. The dinner was held at the Pastrami King in Merrick.

“I was overwhelmed. I still am,” said Stayer. “This is the first time I have ever received such an award.”

During Stayer’s four years as president, the Friends of the Merrick Library raised money to pay for the Merrick Library's museum pass program, as well as several other programs, including children's poetry workshop and a creative writing workshop. Stayer explained that the Friends raised the money by hosting book sales weekly on Wednesday afternoons.

Stayer also credited her vice president, Karen Tusa, for being a great stand-in while she battled an illness and that Tusa stepped up to the plate in order to make sure that the programs were not affected in Stayer’s absence.

Dillon explained that being able to hear everyone say great things about the library was the highlight of her night because it made her feel as if she is doing her job to the best of her ability.  

“I am very honored,” Dillon said. “It was so nice to be there and hear the people say such nice things about the library, and they only had nice things to say. It was wonderful to hear such comments. Overall, it was just a lovely evening.”