Gift of Life, Inc. is a crusade of the heart, touching children in peril. An idea born in 1975 to a group of Rotarians from Manhasset, Long Island, NY, is today a global effort. We reach out to many children, who would otherwise die, and heal their failing hearts with the miracle of cardiac surgery. More than 10,000 children have since been flown here from dozens of nations for sophisticated open-heart surgery...from Europe, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Africa, Asia and within our nation. Medical centers throughout the U.S., and in Israel and Malaysia, are participating Gift of Life hospitals.

      In 2002, a joint venture was embarked upon between Verrazano Rotary Club, Gateway Rotary Club, Rotary International, Gift of Life and Fundacion Corazones Del Cibao. The venture was titled Project Elsie, named after a Dominican infant that died of heart failure. Each club raised $25,000 each towards Project Elsie. Rotary International matched the first $37,500 dollar for dollar through its international matching grant program. Gift of Life raised the remaining $12,500. Fundacion Corazones Del Cibao committed to performing heart operations on approximately 40 children in the Dominican Republic.