District II
New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
(518) 356-2057
www.amadistrict-ii.org
www.facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 379-0135; denandreasdhqshd@juno.com
Frank Costello, Somerset NJ; teams3fpv@gmail.com
Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; cdjavis60@verizon.net
Gary Fitch, Delevan NY; gmfitch@hotmail.com
Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; Gavin1957@aol.com
Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granellif@aol.com
Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY; (716) 649-8582; toolmkr2000@msn.com
Tony Jensen, Binghamton NY; (607) 644-6873; tjravenpilot@gmail.com
Ron McGrath, North Chili, NY; ronmcgrath@rochester.rr.com
Thomas Murray, Basking Ridge NJ; (908) 766-5656
Anthony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917) 320-2665; p51051@gmail.com
Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 563-6878; hotrodsbymax@charter.net
Alexander Sz emere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com
Michael Wong, Mahwah NJ; kingmeow@verizon.net
Herb Ziegler, Baldwinsville NY; (315) 857-6266; herbz1957@yahoo.com
RC EVENT SANCTION COORDINATORS
Tony and Trish Jensen, Binghamton NY; (607) 644-6873; tjravenpilot@gmail.com
CL/FF EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
AMA Headquarters, Competitions Department; (800) 435-9262, Ext. 252; cpierce@modelaircraft.org
Whether it is flying in international competition, having worldwide friends on social media, or visiting new clubs far away from your home flying field, model aviation has no boundaries. We all speak the language of “model aviation.”
For those who fly, nothing is as rewarding as seeing new modelers enter the hobby and watching them as they overcome the challenges and learning curves that we have all experienced.
One well-established District II club, the Meroke RC Club in New York, understands as well as any group the importance of helping others. Throughout the years, the Meroke club has made significant contributions to our hobby. These contributions have literally impacted model aviation around the world.
One of the Meroke club’s energetic members, Eppi Santiago, has proactively worked on several club projects. Most recently, Eppi worked to collect donations of model aircraft items for Oghenero Rejoice, a young modeler in Nigeria. Despite persistent structural weaknesses, including a deficient transportation infrastructure, Nigeria has the largest economy and is the most populous country in Africa.
Oghenero not only builds model aircraft, he has also formed a club of similarly minded young people in Nigeria. As you can imagine, Oghenero’s building facilities are not what most of us enjoy in the US, yet his perseverance is powerful.
Eppi was kind enough to send photos of the Meroke RC Club and the Nassau Flyers at the Lufbery Aerodrome last fall as they collected donated items for Oghenero. Members of the two clubs and area modelers donated numerous items for the cause. The families of deceased club members also donated modeling items to ship to Oghenero.
Although Nigeria might be a little too far for some of us, Eppi and the members and families who contributed to Oghenero Rejoice proved that anything is possible. Whether it is 4-H, the Civil Air Patrol, disadvantaged youth, or even a local veteran’s program, there are other groups or charities that can benefit from model aviation. At your next club meeting, discuss the possibilities of how your club can offer its expertise or equipment to help others experience the joy of flying!
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the friends you make.
