Stories

Scouts Lend a Hand - Again

The Scouts BSA Troop 91 (B and G) based in Hamilton Square helped us complete a critical piece of our Flags for Heroes program - properly folding the American flags that will be mailed to purchasers.
With great care and respect, the scouts paired up to fold more than 100 flags into appropriate tight triangles.
In November, the scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Flags for Heroes ceremony and helped our Rotary Club take down the flags after they flew for three weeks at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
We appreciate their community service!

Displays, Monuments Honor Veterans

Even if you aren’t aware of the Hamilton Township Patriotic Committee, you most likely have seen the results of its work.
At the four main entrances and throughout the grounds of Hamilton’s Veterans Park, there are military displays or monuments acquired and maintained by the Committee at no cost to the Township.
The Committee was incorporated in 1997 and since then has been adding dramatic equipment - from a battle tank and fighter jet to a Cobra attack helicopter and World War I cannon - and poignant memorials at the park.
Committee President Bob Watson and Vice President Dave Turner, both retired military officers, took us on on a PowerPoint tour of the park’s features and told us of the group's activities during the year.
To learn more or to purchase a memorial brick, visit hamiltonpatcomm.org.

‘Our Future is in Good Hands’

Honor Society members, service volunteers, musicians, cheerleaders, sports captains, drum majors, class officers, club founders - we had quite the array of talented and committed seniors on December 5 as Rotary’s Students of the Month.
Our industrious group of students included Abigail Temple, Robbinsville; Juliana Scartocci, Steinert; Kamryn Mooney, Hamilton West; Matthew Crosley, Nottingham; and Meghann Hansen, Robbinsville (a November selectee).
“Our future is in good hands,” said Club President Stan Plytynski.
Congratulations, students!
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Working Together to Help Families

A team effort by the Robbinsville Hamilton and Princeton Corridor Rotary Clubs to provide 47 baskets of turkey dinner supplies and gift cards for turkeys to benefit families served by HomeFront.
The Robbinsville Hamilton Rotarians, led by Lauri Harbison and Tom Park, loaded the laundry baskets and attached gift certificates after the November 21 Rotary meeting. An assembly line of volunteers packed the baskets with non-perishable food items purchased at discount prices from our friends at Foley's Family Market in Hamilton.
Thanks to all involved and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Historian Outlines NJ’s Key Role in Revolution

Rotarian Joe Bellina, who arranges our guest speakers each week, could not have been more timely in scheduling our presenter for November 21.
With Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” concluding that evening on PBS (you can still stream all episodes on PBS.org), historian Roger S. Williams - dressed to the part and likely the first person to use a sword as a pointer at a Rotary meeting - gave us an insightful look at New Jersey’s pivotal role during the Revolutionary War.
“There were more battles and skirmishes fought in New Jersey than any other state,” Roger said.
The site of our Rotary meeting - the RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton - is coincidentally along the route Washington took to surprise the enemy in Princeton after the Second Battle of Trenton - bolstering the patriot cause.
For more, visit TenCrucialDays.org.

MCMAC Sending Heroes Home for the Holidays

Our Rotary Club on November 21 presented the Mercer County Military Action Council with a $5,000 donation - almost all of which will be used for MCMAC’s Send a Hero Home for the Holidays program.
The funds are part of the proceeds from our annual Flags for Heroes display.
MCMAC officials Regina Arcuri and Gregory Kruse said their program has provided financial support to between 250 and 300 junior enlisted military personnel each year to return home for the holidays.
Also at the meeting, we welcomed our newest member, Steven Servillo, sponsored by Club Vice President Chris Merlino. Welcome, Steve!

First EarlyAct Club Inducts New Members

The first school to establish a Rotary EarlyAct service club back in 1998 - Morgan Elementary in Hamilton - inducted its 2025-26 EarlyAct 5th Grade officers and members on November 13 as the school’s 4th graders cheered them on.
The 18 EarlyAct students are continuing a proud tradition at Morgan - the school whose example of student leadership and kindness prompted the creation of EarlyAct clubs around the world.
So far this year, the Morgan EarlyAct club has held a popcorn sale to benefit the school, and on November 14 will do a walkathon to raise additional funds for the American Diabetes Association, an effort that had already generated $575.

Meanwhile, the EarlyAct Club at Greenwood Elementary School in Hamilton installed its officer during a school assembly on November 25.
The students recited the EarlyAct pledge and announced that a key project this year will be “Greenwood Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday.”

Ceremony Celebrates Flags for Heroes

More than 100 community members, local and state officials and others joined the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton on November 8 in celebrating the range of heroes reflected in the 2025 Flags for Heroes display on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Under glorious skies, Rotary Club President Stan Plytynski thanked the flag sponsors and welcomed a series of speakers who joined him in paying tribute to heroes in all forms, from veterans and active military members to doctors and nurses working only a parking lot away.
Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin, State Police Lt. Luis Salgado, Mercer County Military Action Council Chair Regina Arcuri, and hospital Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Breza also spoke during the ceremony.

A Freshness to the Meeting

Everything was new at our Rotary Club meeting on November 7.
We have a new venue for our Friday meetings - RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton.
We had a new set of Students of the Month - impressive as always.
And we got a new perspective on how children and others deal with grief from our guest speaker, Chris Heiss, Executive Director of Good Grief.
Our Students of the Month - Ava Iorio, Hamilton West; Aurora Bergren, Nottingham; and Cameron Braud, Steinert - gave us a rundown of their activities in and out of school.
Chris Heiss described the programs offered by Good Grief that provide support for young people and other family members dealing with major loss. For more information, visit good-grief.org.

Change in Meeting Location

Beginning November 7, the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton will hold its weekly 7:30 a.m. Friday meetings at the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness and Wellness Center at 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton.
Please join us there. Signs will point you to the room location.
Thank you to our good friend Lee Paroly of Friendly’s in Robbinsville for opening his doors early and allowing us to meet at his restaurant for the past six months. We appreciate the hospitality he showed us.

EarlyAct Clubs Ready to Go - Including a New One!

Rotary EarlyAct Club service programs are gearing up this fall in four Hamilton elementary schools.
Last week, McGalliard Elementary became the latest school in the township to form an EarlyAct program to promote community service and leadership among its students.
Also, the George E. Wilson Elementary School installed 17 officers who will lead the entire 4th Grade in EarlyAct activities in its fourth year.
Morgan Elementary and Greenwood Elementary will officially start this year’s programs shortly.
Congratulations to all of the participating schools, students and advisors, and to our club’s EarlyAct coordinator Kalpana Patel.

Flags for Heroes Display Flying Strong

For the 6th consecutive year, our stirring Flags for Heroes display is flying strong at the intersection near Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Nearly 200 flags honoring heroes in the lives of area residents and businesses are on display until Nov. 15. Stop by and read the heartfelt messages on the big boards and on the individual medallions attached to each flag.
A big thanks to our generous flag sponsors and a round of applause for our young volunteers from Sewa International South Jersey who joined our Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton members in putting up the flags.

Welcome Atul and Renu!

A highlight of our meeting on October 24 was the swearing in of our two newest members - husband and wife Atul Rajsheel and Renu Yadav.
Atul and Renu live in Robbinsville with their 13-year-old daughter.
Atul is the Director of Application Development at Power Home Remodeling in Chester, PA, managing large-scale technology initiatives that support growth and innovation. Renu is a Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services, having built a career in technology across the healthcare and insurance industries.
Welcome Atul and Renu!

Tourism Heating Up in Mercer County

There’s a whole lot happening at the Mercer County Division of Travel and Tourism, especially with big events like the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the FIFA World Cup coming up next year.
At our club meeting this morning, Division Director Jamie Volkert of Hamilton told us of the buzz of activity in the relatively new division, including exciting initiatives on the way to highlight the county’s involvement in next year’s major events as well as everyday tourism offerings. For more, visit mercercounty.org and check out “Visit” for information and virtual Tour Guides.

A ‘Wheel' Big Success

A whopping total of 161 bikes in all conditions and sizes were donated in our Rotary’s Club’s 2025 bike drive on October 18 at Friendly’s in Robbinsville.
The bikes will be fixed up and sold by the BGC Bike Exchange with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County.
Thank you to all who donated bikes and to the Robbinsville Township Police Department, Friendly’s, Bruno’s Bicycles in Allentown, Economy Bikes in Hamilton, the Robbinsville Public Works Department, the BGC Bike Exchange and our Rotary volunteers, particularly organizer Bill Boyles, and Steve Woods and George Ott, who loaned their trucks for the cause.

Club Receives ‘Pay it Forward’ Award

Thank you to Robbinsville Township and Mayor Dave Fried for honoring the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton with a 2025 Pay it Forward Award “in appreciation for extraordinary community support.”
It was nice to hear the mayor refer to our club as “a beacon for all of us to follow” and a “treasured” partner with the township.
It’s been our pleasure for 33 years to put “service above self” for our communities.

Addiction Doesn’t Discriminate, Speaker Says

Recovery Advocates of America reminded us at our meeting on October 17 that addiction affects people “from Park Avenue to park bench.”
If you or someone you love is impacted by substance use disorder you can contact Recovery Advocates at 1-888-360-7788 for assistance or visit their website at recoveryadvocates.org.
Our club presented Recovery Advocates with a $1,000 donation. The non-profit is accepting monetary donations and items such as clothing and food to help those they serve.

Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Food for the Hungry

For the second time this year, shoppers at Foley's Family Market in Hamilton showed their generosity as Rotary Club volunteers collected food for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.
Shoppers bought items from our wish list on Saturday, filling a line of carts with an amazing 950 pounds of food and donating $315.65 in cash that will be used to purchase more food.
We appreciate the 13 Rotarians who helped with the Send Hunger Packing food drive, especially “Ironman” Nev Greenough who worked the full 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. collection period.

And, as always, a big thanks to Joe Foley, owner of Foley’s Family Market, and to all those who donated.

Club Marks Miracle League's 20th Year

A special outdoor club meeting was held on October 10 at Miracle Field to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of one of our club’s most impactful projects - the Miracle League of Mercer County NJ.
Rotarian and League “Commish” Dan Sczweck described the tremendous growth in the league in terms of players, families and programming since our club raised the funds to build the field for special needs individuals two decades ago.
Also at the meeting, Club President Stan Plytynski reviewed our club’s bustling fall lineup of upcoming activities.

Tree Program Expands Roots

On October 6 and 7, teams of Rotarians continued the club's annual conservation efforts by planting five trees and four bushes at sites in Hamilton and Robbinsville.

Two trees and the four bushes were planted at Megan’s Place, and single trees were installed at Linwood Park in Hamilton, the Miry Run Recreation Area in Robbinsville and the Miracle League of Mercer County field at the YMCA’s Sawmill complex.
It’s the fourth consecutive year the club has added to the area landscape in a program coordinated by Rotarian Joe Cavone in consultation with the respective townships and with the approval of the club’s Board of Directors.

Students Featured at Meeting

It was a busy Rotary meeting on October 3 as we welcomed our first set of Students of the Month, heard about a program - First Tee Greater Trenton - that instills core values in young people through the game of golf, installed former member Dave Aust and swore in president elect, Joe Bellina.
An impressive group of students kicked off our Students of the Month program for 2025-26. They were Maigh Patel, Nottingham; Angela Dymowski, Steinert; Grace Miller, Robbinsville; and Ava Frascella, Hamilton West.

Kalpana Patel to Serve as District Governor

Kalpana Patel, club member and past Club President, has been selected as District Governor to lead our entire Rotary district - 75 clubs in central and northern NJ - for the 2027-28 Rotary year.
That’s a big deal and has only happened once before in our club’s 33 years.

Kalpana joined the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton in 2020 and has served in various leadership roles, including Club President in 2022-2023, the club’s 30th Anniversary year.

Kalpana is a multiple Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, recognizing her continued support for the Rotary Foundation, a charitable arm of Rotary helping people access clean water, education, health care and disaster relief, while working steadfastly to eradicate polio.
Congratulations, Kalpana. Read the full press release above.

‘Big’ Need for Volunteer Mentors

Our club inducted its newest member on September 26 and then learned more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County and its “greater than ever” need for volunteer mentors.
Hamilton resident Sharon Harkin was sworn in as our 52nd member. She has had a career helping senior citizens, most recently starting Tailored Solutions concierge services for older adults. Welcome Sharon!
Most of the meeting, though, focused on helping young people.
Stephanie Karpowicz, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County, said there is a wait list of area youths in need of volunteer mentors. The commitment is just a few hours a month, but it can make a lifelong difference, she said. For information, visit mercerbbbs.org.

Helping Out at the Food Bank

Following the September 26 Rotary meeting, a group of Rotarians helped out at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, filling 280 packages, totaling 1,120 meals to be distributed to school kids in need of food on weekends. Club members participate at the Food Bank on the 4th Friday of the month. Meanwhile, the club’s Send Hunger Packing fall food drive at Foley’s Family Market is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 at Foley’s Family Market in Hamilton.

The Historians are Coming!

New Jersey was the “epicenter of the American Revolution” and we’re going to hear all about it over the coming months and years, according to our club’s guest speaker on September 19.
Ashley Abruzzo, Heritage Tourism Program Manager for Crossroads of the American Revolution, previewed some of the events and activities that will recognize New Jersey’s critical and extensive role in the war.
The effort is being coordinated by RevolutionNJ, a partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area. Visit revnj.org for info and revnj.org/resources for a handbook you can download.

Take Me Out to the Rotary Meeting

Baseball fans were in their glory at the Rotary Club meeting on September 5 as author Dave Brown shared his encyclopedic knowledge of the World Series along with some highlights from his new book.
As the Major League Baseball playoffs approach, Dave polled members on their favorite team (mostly Yankees and Phillies, several Mets and one each for the Red Sox and Cubs).
He then told us about two of the 18 stories from his book - Shadows of Glory: Memorable and Offbeat World Series Stories.
Also at the meeting, Club President Stan Plytynski presented a $500 donation to Arm in Arm Executive Director Maureen Hunt to support the local nonprofit group’s help for those in need of food, housing and job support.

Group Helping Kids Fulfill Promise

UrbanPromise Trenton is making a difference with students age 8-18 in the capital city. On August 29, Executive Director Sean McFadden outlined for Rotarians the educational and life skills benefits of the youth organization’s after-school and summer programs. Thanks to word of mouth of its success, UrbanPromise Trenton is at capacity at its two after-school locations and is hoping to expand to help more students. To learn more, visit urbanpromisetrenton.org.

Good Game, Good Cause

Rotary Club members, family and friends enjoyed our annual Philadelphia Phillies Strike Out Hunger game on August 18. The Phillies donated half of the proceeds from our club’s $2,500 in ticket sales to Rotary’s international charitable works, including efforts to eradicate polio. And the Gates Foundation matched those donations 2-1, bringing our club’s total impact to almost $4,000. The Phillies also collected non-perishable food from fans to supply local food banks - making the game a home run for beneficiaries near and far and a fun fellowship night for us.

Backpacks, Supplies Donated to Area Schools

A record number of backpacks and school supplies were donated to the Wilson and Greenwood elementary schools in Hamilton thanks to the generosity of Rotarians, community members and a Robbinsville youth group.
More than 200 backpacks filled with essential school items - a record for our Rotary Club - were delivered to the schools on August 15 and 18.
Special thanks to Rotarians Linda Gearren and Janice Miller who coordinated the annual drive and to the teenage members of the Robbinsville chapter of PURE (People for Urban and Rural Education) who helped collect the supplies and load them into backpacks.

Shoppers Donate Food, Cash for Food Bank

Rotary Club volunteers collected 663 pounds of food and $461.19 in cash from generous shoppers at Foley’s Family Market on August 9. A large truck from the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank arrived at the end of the day to collect the food. The cash will be used to purchase more food.
A big thank you to the Rotarians who helped with the Send Hunger Packing food drive, especially event organizer Paul Neu. And of course big props to Joe Foley, owner of Foley’s Family Market, and the shoppers who gave freely to help feed hungry families.

TCNJ President Outlines Next Steps at College

Continually top-ranked for value, graduation rates and other key categories, The College of New Jersey is not resting on its laurels. TCNJ President Michael A. Bernstein told our Rotary Club on August 8 of next steps underway in the classroom and on the campus grounds.
Bernstein said the college is expanding its focus on graduate education, including online features. He also outlined actions being taken to remodel the library and dorms, and to ensure students are best prepared for a changing marketplace, including the responsible and effective use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
At the meeting, we were pleased to swear in new member, Chris Fisher of West Windsor. Welcome, Chris!

Fun for All at National Night Out

Lots of fun at the Rotary Club booths at National Night Out events in Robbinsville and Hamilton on August 5.

We enjoyed meeting with community members, sponsoring games and prizes for the kids, and sharing information about our club.

If we sparked your interest, check out our stories below and the links above.

Meeting Spotlights Organ Donation

In general, one organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of more than 75 others, said our guest speaker on August 1. Chris Lowicki, Community Services Specialist for the NJ Sharing Network.
Unfortunately, there is a drastic shortage of organ donors and the demand far exceeds the supply. Chris said that 100,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants, including 4,000 in New Jersey. The average wait time is five to seven years and 12 people die each day while waiting.
To learn more about the donation process, visit njsharingnetwork.org.
Our club presented the NJ Sharing Network with a donation of $500 in memory of recently-deceased club member Tom Liwosz.

Arm In Arm Goes Mobile

Supporting families in need was the theme on July 25 both at our weekly meeting and afterwards at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.
Our guest speaker was Maureen Hunt, executive director of Arm In Arm, a local nonprofit group helping those in need with food, housing and job support.
The organization’s hunger prevention efforts now include mobile food pantry services “to reach people where they are” in addition to its physical pantry locations in Trenton and Princeton.
For information about Arm In Arm, including opportunities to volunteer, donate or seek assistance, visit the group’s website at arminarm.org.
Following the meeting, a group of Rotarians and fellow volunteers packaged eight pallets of food, or about 2,560 meals at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.

Superintendent Offers 'Kids First' Message

It was our pleasure on July 18 to welcome Robbinsville Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick (Pat) Pizzo as our guest speaker.
His “kids first” message was well received as he discussed his experiences over his first six months on the job and his outlook for the future.
Among a wide range of topics, Pat spoke about the importance of reaching out to the community for input and feedback. “I’m not here to impose. I’m here to partner,” he said.
He got a big thumbs up from Rotarian and Robbinsville Board of Education member Arthur Howard, who told members, “He’s a good man. Robbinsville is in good hands.”

Big Award, New Members Kick Off Rotary Year

Our first meeting of the new Rotary year on July 11 featured a special award to the Miracle League of Mercer County and the addition of two new members - Robbinsville Township Councilman Hal English and Kevin Ott, a local Scouting America official whose membership creates our club’s first-ever father-son duo.
All this as Stan Plytynski, our club’s first president in 1992-93, began a new term behind the podium.
Accepting the George Prutky Vocational Service Award and a $500 donation on behalf of the Miracle League was Rotarian and League “Commish” Dan Sczweck. The award, named for one of our club’s founders, hit close to home as our club helped establish the Miracle League 20 years ago and has been a continuing supporter.

First Club President Back at the Helm

Stan Plytynski of Hamilton was sworn in as President of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton at the club’s annual Installation Dinner on June 26.
Stan, who served as the club’s first President in 1992-93, pledged to “keep the ball rollin’” following a remarkable year led by outgoing Club President Joe Cavone.
The dinner also featured the presentation of awards to club members, including the highest distinction - Paul Harris Fellow recognition - to Membership Chair Marilyn Silverman, Club Secretary Janice Miller and Past President George Ott.

Club Continues Miracle League Commitment

The club has committed $5,000 to be the prime sponsor of a digital scoreboard to be installed at the Miracle League of Mercer County field in Hamilton.
The Miracle League is celebrating 20 years of providing players with special needs the opportunity to play barrier-free baseball.
Our Rotary Club, which raised more than $300,000 in 2004-2005 to build the Miracle League field, continues to be a major supporter of the league through financial contributions and volunteer work.
“Miracle League is one of the club’s legacy projects and we’re pleased to do all we can to help the league continue to prosper,” said Club President Joe Cavone.

Applegate Award Winner Announced

The club’s Vern Applegate Community Service award was presented on June 20 to Doris Petruska for her variety of steadfast volunteer efforts.
Doris was nominated by Rotarian Lauri Harbison, who outlined Doris’ long-time activities in the area, including volunteering with Project Healthy Bones, Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, St. Raphael - Holy Angels Food Pantry, the Hamilton Library and the Tulpehaking Nature Center.
The award is named for late club member Vernon Applegate, who had a major impact exemplifying Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.” This annual award honors an individual with significant history and results in community service in the local area.

The award includes a $500 donation to a designated non-profit group. Doris chose Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County.

New Member Sworn In

Our club continued its torrid new membership pace with the swearing in on June 20 of Gerard “Jerry” Appert - our 18th new member in the past 15 months - with the 19th and 20th scheduled to join next month.
Jerry has spent his entire career in consulting and in 2013 joined Compliance Architects, LLC in Robbinsville as Chief Operating Officer. Since 2015, Jerry has been involved as an Adult Leader in Scouting America; in 2023 becoming Scoutmaster of Troop 91 in Hamilton.

Robbinsville Budget Outlined

At our meeting on June 20, club members were briefed on the Robbinsville Township municipal budget.
Robbinsville Township Council President Mike Todd summarized the 2025 municipal budget, updated the club on the new municipal, police and court building, and discussed this year’s priorities of continued investment in public safety and recreation. He was joined at the meeting by Township Council Vice President Debbie Blakely. A version of the presentation is available at https://cms5.revize.com/revize/robbinsville/Clerk/2025%20Budget%20Guide%20Presentation.pdf

Club Awards Scholarships

Congrats to nine high school seniors from Hamilton and Robbinsville who each received $1,000 scholarships from our Rotary Club.
The scholarships, funded through the club’s annual Dollars for Scholars raffle, were based on the students’ community service activities and plans.
The recipients were: Olivia Cerulllo, Steinert; Olivia Pomin, Notre Dame; Jay Wilmot, Mercer County Health Science Academy; Cali Holliday and Logan McGuire, Nottingham; and Naiya Patel, Christian Deane, Rahul Vaidynathan and Caitlyn Todd, Robbinsville.

Rotarians Tour Joint Military Base

Rotarians and their spouses spent a special morning at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst on June 6 learning about services provided on the sprawling base and getting a tour of an aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft, the KC-46.
Our club has a strong partnership with the base, raising funds through the Flags for Heroes program to help send junior enlisted personnel home for the holidays. Our thanks to Mercer County Military Action Council Chair Regina Arcuri, who arranged the tour for the club.

Students Plant Flowers at Megan’s Place

Fifth graders from Sayen Elementary School in Hamilton joined Rotary Club members in planting flowers on May 30 at Megan’s Place park.
The students planted more than 50 vincas donated by Chris Ciaccio of Tony’s Farm & Garden Center on Route 130 North in Windsor.
Megan’s Place was created in honor of 7-year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton who was murdered in 1994 in a former house on the site by a convicted child molester. The Rotary Club, then only two years in existence, raised funds to purchase the house, tear it down, and build the park in its place.

Club members and friends help students plant flowers at Megan’s Place

‘Scouting Does Make a Difference’

At our meeting on May 30 at Friendly’s in Robbinsville we learned about the vibrant scouting scene in our area and we presented a $1,000 donation to support Robbinsville Meals on Wheels.
Kevin Ott, Mercer Area District Executive for Scouting America’s Washington Crossing Council, gave us a briefing on scouting and told us how young people can benefit now and later in life from joining a scout troop.
“Scouting does make a difference,” said Kevin, son of Club Immediate Past President George Ott.

Club Honors Hamilton Patrolman

On May 23, our club presented the second of its two awards to police officers in our townships for outstanding work in community service. The officers are selected by their chiefs of police and the award includes a $500 donation to their respective PBAs.
Hamilton Township Patrolman David DeLeon was honored for his “exceptional service to the Community Policing Unit, for coordinating large community events in the Township, and for personal dedication to volunteer work.”
Thanks to Rotarian Joe Bellina for coordinating the Police Community Service Award program. And congratulations to Patrolman DeLeon!

Membership Tops 50!

With the addition of two new members in recent weeks, the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton now has 51 members. That’s 17 fresh recruits in the past 14 months! Our latest new members are Dr. Nikki Graham and Denise Barrood.
Nikki is nearing retirement as a veterinarian and wants to give back to the community. In 1969, she opened the Nottingham Animal Hospital on Route 33 and then moved the office to Nottingham Way in 2008.
Denise joined as a corporate member. She is a Business Development Representative for the Healthcare Employees Federal Credit Union. She looks forward to “giving my best to those in need.”

Weekly Meetings Move to Friendly’s

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton is now holding its weekly 7:30 a.m. Friday meetings at Friendly’s in the Foxmoor Shopping Center, 1031 Washington Boulevard, Robbinsville.
We want to thank Pj’s Pancake House and Tavern in Robbinsville for hosting our Friday morning Rotary Club meetings since December 2022.
Due to a burst of new members we needed a larger venue with a similarly excellent reputation and Friendly’s stepped up to meet that need.
Guests are always welcome at our meetings. See you at Friendly's!

Officer Recognized for Community Service

One of the strong traditions of our club is to recognize and appreciate the work of our police. Each year, we present awards to officers selected by the chiefs of police in our two townships for outstanding work in community service. The award includes a $500 donation to their respective PBAs.
On May 2, our club announced the Robbinsville award recipient - Sergeant Thomas Septak, who was unable to attend the meeting. Chief William Swanhart of the Robbinsville Police Department accepted the award on his behalf, telling our club that the recently-promoted Sergeant Septak is “an integral part of the community,” going above and beyond in his patrol duties and in his interactions with students, children and other community members.

Club Honors Students of the Month

We welcomed our final set of Students of the Month for the 2024-25 school year on May 2. As with the prior groups of high school seniors, the students impressed us with their activities in and out of the classroom.
Recognized were Gina Wong of Hamilton West and Steinert’s Jack Perelli. Unable to attend the club meeting were Geovanna Narvaez Chica, Nottingham, and Julia Meddahi, Robbinsville.
Congratulations and best wishes to the students. And a big thanks to our club’s Students of the Month coordinators Greg Blair and Wally Sawka.

Problem Gambling Called ‘Hidden Epidemic’

Jeanne Swain, a specialist with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, spoke to our Rotary Club on April 25 about the alarming rise in problem gambling in the state, especially with online gambling just an arms-length away on your phone and gambling advertising so pervasive.
She called it a “hidden epidemic.”
Since online sports gambling was legalized in NJ in 2018, calls to the Council’s help line have gone up more than 300 percent; 800 percent for those under 30.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 800-Gambler or visit the Council’s website at 800gambler.org.

Speaker Brings Battlefield Alive

Busy times at the historic Princeton Battlefield as organizers gear up for big 250th Anniversary celebrations next year while 10 newly-installed signs help guide the way for visitors.
Michael Russell, President Emeritus of the Princeton Battlefield Society, spoke to our Rotary Club on April 18 about the battle itself and ongoing efforts to enhance the 100-acre site of a pivotal event in the American Revolution.
For details, check out the Society’s new website at https://pbs1777.org/.

Planting the School’s Community Garden

Club members had fun on April 16 helping students clean, prep and plant their community garden at Greenwood Elementary School in Hamilton.
Rotarians and faculty members guided the students in planting a variety of vegetables in their garden boxes.
The plants were provided by Chris Ciaccio of Tony’s Farm & Garden Center on Route 130 North in Windsor - a good friend of our club.

Club Supports Mobile Meals of Hamilton

As Mobile Meals of Hamilton celebrates its 50th year, our Rotary Club on April 11 provided a $1,000 check to help support the organization.
Executive Director Eileen Eversheim said she appreciates the annual financial contribution from the club to help provide hot, nutritious meals five days a week to an increasing number of Hamilton residents whose physical, mental or social conditions require a home-delivered meal service.
At an upcoming meeting, the club will also provide $1,000 to Robbinsville Meals on Wheels - part of our continuing effort to assist hungry families in Mercer County.

Membership Surge Continues

The club welcomed two new members in successive weeks, bringing our total membership to 49, including 15 in the past year alone.
On March 28, Nidia Kovacevic joined the club, followed the next week by Sofia Staub.
Nidia, who lives in Bordentown with her husband and three children, is the Financial Center Manager at Fulton Bank in Hamilton. “Community service is a passion I’ve had since childhood,” she told her fellow Rotarians after being sworn in.
Sofia, a 2024 graduate of Hofstra University, is an Account Coordinator at Merritt Group, a PR and Marketing agency. “I’m very excited to get more involved,” said Sofia.

Miracle League to Benefit from Charity Game

Regardless of the score when Hamilton and Robbinsville police square off in an upcoming charity softball game, the big winner will be the Miracle League of Mercer County.
All proceeds from the game will benefit the Miracle League, which which for 20 years has provided individuals with special needs the opportunity to play baseball.
Friendly’s of Robbinsville owner Lee Paroly and Hamilton Police Detective Bob O’Hare provided details about Friendly’s 3rd Annual Charity Softball Game between Hamilton PBA #66 and Robbinsville PBA #344.
The game is on Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m. at Trenton Thunder Stadium. Tickets are $10/person. You can get them here at: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/VY2ZWGYKUGSW6.

Club Welcomes Students; New Member

At our meeting on March 7, we welcomed our latest exceptional group of Students of the Month as well as our latest new member - Tom Park - the 13th in less than a year.
We heard from Isabelle Kuchie, Hamilton West; Rosalie “Ro” Horchuck, Steinert; and Aidan Lipman, Nottingham, who impressed us with their academic achievements and participation in clubs. A fourth student, Suhrith Kesaraju of Robbinsville H.S., was unable to attend.
The application period for scholarships offered by our club ends on March 15. To apply, visit rhrotary.org.
In taking the oath of membership, Tom Park described our club as “really robust. I’m glad I found you.” Tom is VP of Client Relations for Diamond Business Communication in Hamilton and has an extensive record of community service.

Father Center Offers Critical Help

Our guest speaker on March 7 was Bryan Evans, Chief Executive Officer of the Father Center of New Jersey. He told us about the innovative programs and services his agency provides to help men gain the skills and meet the responsibilities of fatherhood.

And through alarming statistics - including that 85 percent of youth in prison come from fatherless homes and that girls with absent fathers at home are 7x more likely to become pregnant as teenagers - he let us know why that assistance is so critical. For more visit thefathercenter.org.

Nonprofits Share Successes, Challenges at Summit

It was nice to hear the positive reviews of the Rotary Club-sponsored summit on March 1 that brought together two dozen nonprofit groups for an engaging discussion of common challenges and opportunities.
More than 100 people attended the summit at RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center. Keynote speaker Barrett T. Young, CEO of the Rescue Mission of Trenton, led the Q&A with audience members and our three panelists - Sarah Steward, CEO, HomeFront; Nathalie Nelson, CEO, Younity (formerly Womanspace); and Karen Andrade-Mims, former CEO, The Father Center of NJ.
The need to collaborate and adapt to the changing landscape of fundraising, technology and other basic functions were key themes.
Thanks to Kalpana Patel and her team for a well-planned event.

Mayor Highlights New Municipal Complex

At our Rotary Club meeting on February 28, Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin shared details of the new municipal complex scheduled to be completed in the Fall of 2026. Groundbreaking took place in October 2024.
The complex will provide modern, efficient and accessible facilities for local government and the school district, replacing two buildings that together are more than 200 years old. The mayor walked us through a publicly-available presentation that outlines the features of the building, the need for the complex, and the financing involved. See the presentation here - https://www.hamiltonnj.com/DocumentCenter/View/3944/New-Municipal-Building-Presentation---Spiezle-Architectural-Group-PDF?bidId=

Refugee Process Outlined at Club Meeting

Refugees who have legally entered the country after undergoing a U.S. and U.N. 11-step vetting process of up to three years have been helped when they arrive in this area by the nonprofit group Alliance for Refugees.
Boyd Hannold, the group’s Housing Director and Community Liaison and Senior Pastor Emeritus at Princeton Alliance Church, spoke to our club on February 21 about their work in resettling 135 refugees in 31 families in the group’s year and half of existence.
Boyd said the new federal administration has placed a 90-day hold on the refugee program and its reimbursement funding for evaluation. For more information, visit boyd@allianceforrefugees.org.

Three New Members Continue Rapid Club Growth

With three new members in February, the club has now increased its membership by 12 over the past nine months.
The newest members are Lauri and Chris Harbison and Berta "Cheena" Lima.
The Harbisons are the second husband and wife team to join the club in this Rotary year.
Lauri works as the Executive Director of Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County.
Chris, in his most recent position as Executive Director at Bristol Myers Squibb, led a scientific team supporting clinical oncology research.
Cheena is a real estate agent with Weichert who also works with Capital Health.
Welcome Lauri, Chris and Cheena!

Club President Joe Cavone said "anyone with a generous heart" who wants to help the community is invited to join the club, calling membership the "lifeblood" of Rotary.

Students Show Poise at the Podium

One after the other, our Students of the Month for February walked to the podium at our meeting on February 7 and with poise in front of the packed room demonstrated why they were selected by their schools for the Rotary distinction.
The seniors - all smart, creative and clearly focused on the next step in their education - are Caitlyn Hannawacker, Steinert; Ava Clugsten, Hamilton West; Raul Alejandro Alvarez, Nottingham; and Zachary Peabody, Robbinsville.

Summit to Bring Together Nonprofit Groups

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton is hosting the 2025 Nonprofit Summit on Saturday, March 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at RWJUH Fitness and Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton.
The free event with complementary breakfast is designed to help area nonprofit groups grow their programs and expand their good works. For those who are not part of a nonprofit, the event is a chance to learn about and get involved with groups in our area.

Barrett Young, CEO of the Rescue Mission of Trenton will serve as keynote speaker and will moderate a panel of nonprofit leaders, including Sarah Steward, CEO, HomeFront; Nathalie Nelson, CEO, Younity (formerly Womanspace); and Karen Andrade-Mims, former CEO, The Father Center of NJ.

Summit to Bring Together Area Nonprofit Groups

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton is hosting the 2025 Nonprofit Summit on March 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at RWJUH Fitness and Wellness Center on Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton.

The free event with complementary breakfast will feature a keynote speaker and a panel of experts to help area nonprofit groups grow their programs and expand their good works.

For those who are not part of a nonprofit, here’s a chance to learn about and get involved with groups in our area.

Last Chance for Raffle Tickets to Support Scholarships

Ticket sales are winding down for our Dollars for Scholars raffle that funds our annual scholarship program.

Last minute $20 tickets are available from any club member, by email at president@rhrotary.org, or through a message on our club’s Facebook page. Checks, cash or Venmo accepted.
There are 12 chances to win, with ticket drawings each Tuesday evening from April 1 through June 17 at Killarney's in Hamilton. Weekly prizes range from $350 to $1,000.

Our Rotary Club has funded more than $50,000 in scholarships for area high school students over the past nine years.

Celebrating 20 Years of Miracle League

Fun time for Rotarians, spouses and friends at the Miracle League of Mercer County's 20th anniversary kickoff bash on February 1. The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton helped start the Miracle League by raising more than $300,000 to create the initial all-access field for ballplayers with special needs.
Rotarian and Miracle League Commish Dan Sczweck has taken the league to new levels with year-round activities and the Rotary Club continues to provide the league with substantial support each year.

Helping Students Thrive

Its name has changed from Camp Fire NJ to Embright Education, but its long-time mission remains the same - providing social and emotional learning programs for students in local schools.
Embright Board Vice President Celeste Avery told Rotarians on January 31 that mental health issues in children have risen sharply, making Embright’s programs, particularly in the early grades, more important than ever.
The organization wants to significantly expand its presence in area K-12 schools, including those in Hamilton and Robbinsville. To learn more, visit www.embrighteducation.org.
Embright also sponsors the Teens on Fire program at Steinert High School, which this year has 130 members, according to the program’s leader, Kailey Conner, who said the program does food drives, assists other non-profits and helps children with mental and physical disabilities, offering its members the values of friendship, teamwork, leadership and empathy.

A Generous Community Stocks Winter Survival Kits

An amazing response from the community and our Rotary Club members to our Winter Survival Kit collection to benefit those served by the Rescue Mission of Trenton and Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County.
Bag after bag, box after box filled with hats, gloves, socks and scarves, hygiene products and single-serve foods were donated at multiple drop-off points and then assembled on January 17 at our Rotary Club meeting and delivered to the organizations.
The drive was coordinated by one of our newer club members, Marie Howard, along with Interfaith Caregivers Executive Director Lauri Harbison and Rotarians Sharon Lucidi and Chris Merlino.
A huge thank you to all who donated items to help those in need during these cold months.

Welcome Home, Lauren!

It was a celebratory welcome home at the January 10 Rotary meeting for Lauren Woods, daughter of Rotarian Steve Woods and his wife, Janice. Lauren returned to the states and her family just before Christmas after serving for more than seven months in Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq as a first lieutenant in the Army National Guard.
Lauren recounted her time with the 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team at Air Base Erbil as Executive Officer (XO) responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD). Before she spoke, we got to see the emotional video of her surprise family homecoming.
Lauren, who has been to many club meetings over the years, received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her talk. She remains a commissioned officer and will soon return to her job as a school teacher in central Pennsylvania.

‘Exciting’ Business Grant Programs Now Available

Anthony Carabelli, Jr., Director of the Mercer County Office of Economic Development (and Hamilton Councilman) outlined for Rotarians the county’s one stop shop for all business needs as well as two “exciting” county grant programs that launched on January 1.
Details on the business assistance, including info and a link to pre-register for the new Revitalize & Grow Grant Program and the Business Builder Rebate Grant Program are available at https://www.mercercounty.org/work/economic-development.

Deadline Extended for Survival Kit Collection

Wednesday, January 15, is the new deadline for the collection of items by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton and Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County to fill Winter Survival Kits for those in need.
The requested items include: hats, gloves, scarfs, deodorant, shampoo, single pack toothbrushes and toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, hand sanitizer, body wipes, nutrition bars, single-serve tuna/crackers; single-serve chicken/crackers; Slim Jims; combs, soap (bars or liquid), and women’s sanitary items.
Drop-off locations include the Robbinsville Township Municipal Building and Starbucks, both on Route 33 in Robbinsville; Sharon Elementary School on Sharon Road, Robbinsville; Robbinsville High School, and Interfaith Caregivers, 3635 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton.
The effort received a big boost from Mary Jane Diener of Hamilton who crocheted and donated 91 scarves (see photo).

Message to Students: ’Keep on Doing What You’re Doing’

On January 3 we welcomed our first set of Students of the Month for 2025. It’s always an uplifting meeting when we learn about the students’ activities in and out of school as well as their plans for the future.
This month’s students are Summer Howard, Hamilton West; Dominic Baldassari, Steinert; Daniel Richarme, Nottingham; and Kellianne White, Robbinsville.
Greg Blair, our club’s Students of the Month co-chair, said, “We know our future is secure as long as you keep on doing what you’re doing.”
Congratulations and best wishes to these impressive students!

Rotary’s Polio Fight Continues

At our final meeting of the calendar year, our club was reminded in very personal terms of how important it is to continue Rotary’s flagship fight to eradicate polio around the world.
Rotarian John Nanni of Delaware, a polio survivor and a leader in Rotary’s PolioPlus campaign, said the wild poliovirus is still stubbornly present in two countries - Pakistan and Afghanistan - despite decades of work by Rotary and other organizations to wipe if off the map, an effort that has saved an estimated 21 million people from the crippling disease.
Our Rotary Club and individual members contribute thousands of dollars each year to the campaign. For more information about Rotary’s work to eradicate polio, visit www.endpolio.org.

Toys for Younity; Food for Families

Officials from Younity, formerly Womanspace, attended our meeting on December 20 to collect the more than 70 unwrapped toys donated by Rotarians at our holiday party earlier this week.
Younity CEO Nathalie Nelson and COO Susan Victor thanked the club for its long-standing partnership with the organization. The non-profit serves victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Following the meeting, four Rotarians and a spouse packaged food for 1,600 meals at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank in Ewing.

EarlyAct Returns to Morgan School

The EarlyAct service club is back at Morgan Elementary School in Hamilton!
In 1998, the school and our Rotary Club established the first EarlyAct program, launching an idea that spread around the world with EarlyAct clubs forming as far away as Africa and Australia.
Designed to promote community service and leadership among young people, EarlyAct has returned to Morgan stronger than ever after a five-year hiatus.
The 22 officers and members gathered this week under the direction of faculty advisors Jenna Mihalow and Matt Petrowski, who was a member of that first club. The club is in the midst of its first school-wide project - collecting change to donate to the Hamilton Animal Shelter.

Scouts Thanked for Flags Assistance

The Rotary Club on December 13 recognized Scouts BSA Troop 91 (B and G) based in Hamilton Square for the scouts’ help with our recent Flags for Heroes program.
Club President Joe Cavone presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Scoutmaster Jerry Appert, thanking him for the multiple roles the scouts played in assisting with the flags display.
The scouts led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Flags for Heroes ceremony, helped take down the flags after they were up for two weeks at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, and spent a recent scout meeting properly folding the flags for mailing to purchasers.

“The scouts love doing community service work,” said Jerry. “So providing them with an opportunity like this is really neat. It also provides them a window into other community-based organizations.”

Tree Program Branches Out

For the third consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton planted trees to honor its communities and promote conservation. In consultation with the townships, club members on December 10 planted an American Elm on the grounds of the former Miry Run Golf Club in Robbinsville and a Japanese Maple in Veterans Park in Hamilton.

The installations bring the total to seven trees in the past three years as part of a program coordinated by Rotary Club President Joe Cavone and approved on an annual basis by the club’s Board of Directors.

Protecting Houses of Worship

Mercer County is fortunate to have a strong advocate for enhancing safety in houses of worship and other non-profit facilities.
Detective Michael Smith of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation on December 6 by Rotary Club President Joe Cavone.
In the last four years, Detective Smith has helped more than a dozen houses of worship in Mercer County receive over $2 million in federal and state grants for security enhancements.
For information on obtaining a free security assessment of a house of worship or other 501c3-owned facility as well as some grant advice, contact Detective Smith at mjsmith@mercercounty.org. For information on grants, visit www.njohsp.gov/.

Club Honors Students of the Month

We recognized Students of the Month at our December 6 Rotary Club meeting - always a highlight on our meeting calendar as we learn of their activities in school and their plans for the future. December’s sterling group of students are Alessandra Sessons, Nottingham; Lily Stellwag, Hamilton West; Jameson Moulds, Steinert; and Caitlyn Todd, Robbinsville.
As club member Judy Goldstein told the students, “There’s only one student from each school. It tells you that you’re thought of in a very wonderful way.”

Road Trip - To the Zoo

Rotarians sponsored a recent Greenwood Elementary School field trip to the Philadelphia Zoo - a day of carefree fun, education, and wide-eyed joy in seeing the animals. For some, it was their first time visiting a zoo or riding by the tall buildings of Philadelphia.
Our Rotary District and our club combined to finance transportation in seven buses for the children and their chaperones, including several Rotarians. We received some very nice thank you cards in return.

Bike Drive Aids Boys and Girls Club

More than 60 bikes - from old clunkers to ready-to-ride beauties - were donated in our Rotary’s Club’s 2024 bike drive on November 23.
The bikes will be refurbished and resold by the BGC Bike Exchange with the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County.
Thank you to all who donated bikes and to our partners, the Robbinsville Police Department and Friendly’s in the Foxmoor Shopping Center, Robbinsville.
Hats off also to Bruno’s Bicycles of Allentown, the Robbinsville Recreation Department, the BGC Bike Exchange and our Rotary volunteers, particularly Mark Setaro, who organized the drive, and Steve Woods, who loaned his truck for the cause.

Sending Heroes Home for the Holiday

The club's Foundation on November 22 donated $5,000 to the Mercer County Military Action Council (MCMAC), nearly all of which will be used for MCMAC’s Send A Hero Home for the Holidays program. The initiative, which already has 300 applicants, pays travel expenses for junior service members who otherwise could not afford to return home during this special time of the year. The donated funds represent part of the proceeds from the club’s successful Flags for Heroes display earlier this month. In the photo (l-r) : Bill Cleave, MCMAC vice chair; Alan Gilmore, MCMAC secretary; Regina Arcuri, MCMAC chair; and Joe Cavone, Rotary Club president.

Helping Out at the Food Bank

Following the Rotary meeting on November 22, a group of Rotarians headed to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to help with food sorting. In all, the team of six loaded 46 boxes of grains and canned vegetables after separating three large bins of miscellaneous food items. Pictured left to right - Andre Caldini, Tony Rosica, Paul Neu, Tom Damm and Nev Greenough. Missing from the photo - Linda Gearren.

Ceremony Marks 5th Annual Flags for Heroes Display

More than 175 people joined us on a spectacular day to celebrate the 2024 Flags for Heroes display on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa Hilton and Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin headlined the speakers marking our 5th Annual flags event - this year featuring 200+ flags recognizing local heroes. The flags will be on display with attached hero messages until November 16.
Rotary Club President Joe Cavone led the ceremony which also included remarks by Mercer County Military Action Council Chair Regina Arcuri and RWJUH Hamilton Chief Administrative Officer Lisa Breza, a flag salute led by Scouts from Troop 91B and Troop 91G of Robbinsville Hamilton, inspirational messages from Sewa International Central Jersey volunteers, the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by Jenn (Furman) Dinan and the playing of Taps by bugler John Periano.

Rehab, Safety Top Priorities at Federal Prison

A dynamic trio of officials from the largest federal correctional institution in the U.S. - FCI Ft. Dix - told our Rotary Club on November 8 that rehabilitation of the inmates and security of the surrounding community and the facility are top priorities.

Warden Rachel Thompson noted that only 10 percent of the inmates are serving life sentences and the rest will be returning to society, making programs to prepare them for reentry critical. “If we don’t do our jobs, we’re doing the community an injustice,” she said.

FCI Fort Dix is a low security federal correctional institution for male offenders with an adjacent minimum security satellite camp located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. They have 4,100 incarcerated individuals.

For more info, including career openings and volunteer opportunities, visit https://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/ftd/

Students Impress at Rotary Meeting

We heard from an amazing group of Students of the Month at our meeting on November 1. The students - Bethany Marusky, Steinert; Anoop Singh, Hamilton West; Logan McGuire, Nottingham; and Vasanth Babukannan, Robbinsville - showed great poise at the podium in front of a full house of Rotarians, parents and guests.
They impressed us with their activities in school, their volunteer work in the community and their plans after high school. As program coordinator Greg Blair said, the students remind us that our future is in good hands.

TASK: Meals and Much More

The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) serves about 12,000 meals a week to patrons at its Escher Street location in Trenton and at satellite sites in Mercer County. But as TASK Donor Engagement Manager Dana C. Jones explained to Rotarians on November 1, TASK offers a lot more than hot meals.
Dana informed us of services TASK provides to encourage self sufficiency and improve the quality of life of patrons. Among them are adult education, creative arts, a culinary academy, warm clothing, help with preparing for and finding a job, hygiene products, and connection to vital resources.

For more on TASK and its volunteer and donation opportunities, visit https://trentonsoupkitchen.org/

Club Welcomes Vitale Inspection Services

We are pleased to welcome Vitale Inspection Services as our newest corporate member. The company is represented by owner Carlo Vitale and Justin Girard, director of business development and creative marketing.
Located on Klockner Road in Hamilton, the company offers professional home inspection services and believes in putting the “unity” in community through its extensive charitable works, including Happy Smiles, Inc.
Our Rotary Club now has 44 members, including nine new members in the past seven months.

Flags for Heroes Flying in Hamilton; Ceremony Nov. 9

Our stirring Flags for Heroes display of more than 200 U.S. flags honoring heroes in the lives of area residents and businesses is flying proudly on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Stop by and read the heartfelt messages on the big boards and on the individual medallions attached to each flag. And join us on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. for the field dedication and Veterans Day celebration with featured speakers Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Theresa L. Hilton and Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin.
A huge thanks to our generous corporate and individual flag sponsors. Proceeds benefit Rotary’s local charities, including the Mercer County Military Action Council.

Check Presented to Mercer Street Friends

Our Rotary Club presented Mercer Street Friends with a check for $714, representing the funds given to us by the customers of Foley’s Family Market during our two food drives this year. The check was presented by Rotarian Paul Neu, chair of the Send Hunger Packing food drive, prior to our monthly activity at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank where Rotarians and others packed 3,840 meals on Friday morning.

NJBIA Goal: Affordable, Competitive Biz Climate

Great businesses make great communities in creating jobs and giving back to local causes was the message New Jersey Business & Industry Association President and CEO Michelle Siekerka shared with Rotarians this morning.

Michelle outlined NJBIA’s policy and hands-on efforts to help ensure an affordable and regionally-competitive business climate in the state.

In her remarks, she highlighted a partnership between NJBIA and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges - NJ Pathways to Career Opportunities - for students to prepare for in-demand jobs like manufacturing, technology, logistics and distribution, and health care. For info, visit https://www.njcommunitycolleges.org/initiatives/nj-pathways/

Rotarians Collect Food for Hungry Families

For the second time this year, shoppers at Foley’s Family Market in Hamilton showed their generosity as Rotary Club volunteers collected food for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank.

Shoppers on October 12 bought items from our wish list, filling carts with more than 1,000 pounds of food and donating $473.42 in cash that will be used to purchase more food. Amazing!

We appreciate the 14 Rotarians (and 8-year-old Arianna Howard) who helped with the Send Hunger Packing food drive, especially event organizer Paul Neu, who along with Nev Greenough worked the full 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. collection period. And, as always, a big thanks to Joe Foley, owner of Foley’s Family Market, and to all those who donated.

District Governor Impressed with Club’s Progress

Our Rotary Club had an opportunity to shine on October 11.
We were able to showcase our strong momentum as we welcomed the leader of our 74-club Rotary district - District Governor Jeannie Tsukamoto.
Club President Joe Cavone reported our gain of eight new members over the past six months (with more in the wings) and he outlined a busy schedule of community service activities, including our upcoming Flags for Heroes display.
Jeannie thanked the club for its “impressive work” in the community and for its success in growing membership. “Not all the clubs are doing what you’re doing,” she said, offering additional strategies for introducing others to the rewarding aspects of joining Rotary.

Students Honored; Megan’s Place Highlighted

At our meeting on October 4, we recognized our first set of Students of the Month and we were reminded in emotional detail of our club’s most significant project - the creation of Megan’s Place.
Our honored students for October are Ellise Gonzalez, Hamilton West; Max Kostin, Steinert; and Solmari Colon, Nottingham. They told us about their activities in school and their plans for the future.
We then heard from Rotarian Greg Blair about the history of Megan’s Place - a park created by our club following the 1994 murder of 7-year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton.
Greg, who was Club President at the time, shared the account of how our club - then only two years old - undertook an ambitious, community-backed campaign to buy the house where Megan was murdered (across the street from the family’s home on Barbara Lee Drive), tear it down and build the park in Megan’s memory.

Old Barracks Museum Featured at Club Meeting

Have you been to the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton lately?

Matt Travers, one of the museum’s historical interpreters, was our guest speaker on September 27 and gave us a sense of the history of the barracks, including its role primarily as a hospital during the American Revolutionary War.

Check out some of the upcoming events at the museum (details at www.barracks.org):

Fall Lecture Series – Authors discuss their books about the major battle at Germantown (Oct. 10) and Thomas Jefferson’s daughters – two by his wife, one by his slave, Sally Hemings (Oct. 17). Free admission. Both start at 6 p.m.
All Barracks Eve (Oct. 25) – Spooky tales told by historically-outfitted storytellers.

The Old Barracks is open on a regular basis Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Drawing Held for Super 50-50

Congrats to JB, first prize winner of $3,285 with ticket #1085 in the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton’s 3rd Annual Super 50-50 raffle drawing. The drawing was held on September 24 at the Blend Bar & Bistro in Hamilton.
The second place winner, KP, receives $1,971 with ticket #0517, and the third place winner, EB, receives $1,314 with ticket #1077.
The winners receive half of the proceeds from the raffle. The other half ($6,570) will be split evenly between the Miracle League of Mercer County and the Rotary Club (for the club’s charities).
Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket to support these worthy causes.

Habitat for Humanity Creating Housing Opportunities

Despite high housing costs in the state, the goal of Habitat for Humanity of South Central New Jersey is that “everyone has a decent place to live.”
Laura Van Booven, the affiliate’s Director of Community Engagement, spoke to Rotarians on September 20 about the group’s programs, volunteer opportunities and recent successes.
Check out the affiliate’s website for opportunities to get involved - www.habitatscnj.org.
And stop by Habitat’s ReStore in the Independence Mall in Hamilton (2465 S. Broad St., Suite E2) for some great deals. The store is open daily for purchases and donations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Field of Dreams

Our club celebrated its partnership with the Miracle League of Mercer County on September 13, holding our meeting at the league’s baseball complex for players with special needs in Hamilton.
Rotarian Dan Sczweck, Commissioner of the Miracle League, gave us the history of the league, its progress, and the club’s involvement, which started nearly 20 years ago when the club raised more than $300,000 to build the initial field.
“This is our biggest legacy as a club,” Dan said, noting that as the league has added new features and programs and expanded to 236 active families from 10 counties “we’re watching our child grow before our eyes.”

Welcoming Marie and Arthur Howard

It was our pleasure on September 13 to welcome Marie and Arthur Howard of Robbinsville as new corporate members, each representing their respective businesses and looking forward to bringing to the club their passion for community service.
Marie owns and operates Journey Logic, a travel agency in Robbinsville.
Arthur, a member of the Robbinsville Board of Education, is a licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey, operating his own practice, Life Reimagined Counseling Services.
The addition of the Howards brings our membership total to 43, with eight new members in the past six months alone!

Be Part of the Flags for Heroes Display

Flag sponsorships are now available for the popular Flags for Heroes display at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Residents and businesses can honor their personal heroes by sponsoring a 3’x5’ American flag to be flown for more than two weeks - Nov. 1-16 - on the hospital grounds along White Horse-Hamilton Square Road and Klockner Road in Hamilton.
The deadline for sponsorships has been extended to Monday, Oct. 21 at 5:00pm.
Click here to sponsor a flag for $60 with the option of purchasing the actual flag for an additional $40. Businesses can contact president@rhrotary.org to become a blue, white, red or gold corporate sponsor starting at $300.
Net proceeds from Flags for Heroes will be donated to non-profit organizations in Mercer County, including the Mercer County Military Action Council, which will help finance an active U.S. military member’s return to their family during military leave.

Order Flags Here:

https://rhrotary.org/events/flags-for-heroess/

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

The guiding principle of our Rotary Club is “service above self.” We’re certainly not alone in that mission.
We heard at our September 6 meeting about the work of Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County (ICGMC) - an incredible network of more than 240 volunteers providing FREE services to homebound seniors and adults with disabilities.
The volunteers provide such assistance as friendly visits, grocery shopping, transportation to medical appointments, light household chores, telephone reassurance and even short-term respite care.
If you need assistance or would like to consider volunteering, visit www.icgmc.org or call 609-393-9922.

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Backpacks and School Supplies Drive a Success

Our club delivered 150 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Wilson Elementary School in Hamilton on August 30. The drive was one of our most successful thanks to the generosity of our communities and club members.
School officials were all smilies in receiving the student backpacks containing notebooks, crayons, pencils, folders and other donated essentials.
The annual drive was coordinated by Linda Gearren with special efforts from fellow Rotarians Jodi Stephens whose collection box at the Robbinsville Municipal Building yielded 30 backpacks with supplies, and Toni Perilli and Angela D’Andrea who gave customers at Ivy on Main a discount if they donated backpacks or supplies.
Thanks to all who contributed, including Lindsay Franicevich of Wilson’s EarlyAct program who donated many filled backpacks and other materials.

Club Honored with Assembly Proclamation

A big thank you to Assemblywoman Tennille McCoy for serving as our guest speaker on August 30 and presenting the club with an Assembly proclamation for our decades of work in the community.
Assemblywoman McCoy gave us an update on her key legislative actions, including working with her 14th Legislative District colleagues to secure grants for public safety needs in Hamilton and Robbinsville.
Another highlight of the meeting was the swearing in of our 6th new member in the past five months - Mark Talbott. Welcome, Mark!

Club Offers Flexible Corporate Membership Option

Ivy on Main - a floral and event design company with retail home and clothing shops in Allentown and Hamilton - became a corporate member of our Rotary Club on August 23 - the latest development in a surge of interest in our club and its opportunities for friendship and community service.
Ivy on Main owners Toni Perilli and Angela D’Andrea received a welcoming round of applause from fellow members.
Their stores are located at 28 S. Main St, Allentown and 4611 Nottingham Way, Hamilton (next to Gennaro’s Restaurant).
The corporate membership option affords Toni and Angela the flexibility to share participation in club activities. For more information on this way of joining our club, email president@rhrotary.org.

Good Time, Good Cause at the Ballpark

Another fun night of fellowship for the Rotary Club - this time at the Philadelphia Phillies Strike Out Hunger game against Miami. A grand slam. A comeback victory. And even better, for every ticket we bought to the game, the Phillies donated half of the proceeds to Rotary programs, including our work with UNICEF and the World Health Organization to eradicate polio. That’s more than $1,000 from our club alone. The Phillies also collected non-perishable food at the entrances.

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Club Generates Smiles at National Night Out Event

The Rotary Club tent was a popular stop at Robbinsville's National Night Out on August 13 as kids and adults tried their hand at beanbag and ring toss games with snacks as a prize.
We enjoyed chatting with community members and letting them know about the fun service opportunities available in our club.
Great job Robbinsville Township Police Department!

Rotarians Collect Food for Hungry Families

The generosity of shoppers at Foley’s Family Market was on full display on August 10 as Rotary Club volunteers collected food for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. A steady stream of shoppers bought items from our wish list, filling six carts and donating $238 in cash that will be used to purchase more food.
The quote of the day came from a woman who presented us with three full bags of food from Foley’s. As we thanked her, she smiled and said, "No one deserves to be hungry.”
A big thank you to the 13 Rotarians who helped with the Send Hunger Packing food drive, especially event organizer Paul Neu. And of course big props to Joe Foley, owner of Foley’s Family Market, and the shoppers who are helping to feed hungry families.

What it Means to Be a Rotarian

A bevy of guests at our August 9 meeting heard Rotarians offer their thoughts on what it means to be a member of the club.
Said one, whether you’ve had a good week or a rough one, there’s something comforting about coming to a Friday morning meeting and knowing you’re among friends.
Similarly, another said, “It’s like Cheers, you walk in and everyone knows your name.”
Others focused on the opportunities to serve the community, particularly those in need. For example, Rotarians will be receiving food items in front of Foley’s Family Market in Hamilton on August 10 from 10-4 for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, and we’re busy collecting backpacks and school supplies for students at Wilson Elementary School.
The international reach of Rotary, including a major effort to eradicate polio, was also cited as an attractive aspect of the organization, as well as local programs like Flags for Heroes.
Club President Joe Cavone boiled it down to one word - hope. “We give people hope, We’re in the hope business.”

Guests Galore!

It’s becoming the place to be on Friday mornings at 7:30!
Our Rotary Club meetings at Pj’s Pancake House on Main Street in Robbinsville are attracting more and more guests each week. And we’re loving it.
At our August 2 meeting we welcomed back Marie Howard of Robbinsville, who was joined by her husband Arthur. Karen Hollywood of Grounds for Sculpture and local resident Preeti Kaur also attended. We always appreciate when guests stop by to learn more about our club, its community service activities and opportunities for membership.
At the meeting, members and guests heard from guest speaker Mark Talbott of Trenton Renewables who told us about his 450 ton per day food and organics recycling power facility in Trenton.
If you’d like to start your Friday with a dose of good feelings and some newly gained knowledge, come on in.

Robbinsville Police to Offer Citizens Academy

The Robbinsville Police Department will be offering an inside look at their operations this fall when it opens its inaugural Citizens Police Academy.
Lt. William Swanhart outlined the program as our club’s guest speaker on July 19.
The classes and demonstrations will be offered for seven consecutive Wednesday evenings beginning in mid-September. A total of 20 adults (age 21 and over) will be able to attend.
The academy is designed to “bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community” by providing a working knowledge and understanding of all aspects of police operations and units, according to Lt. Swanhart.

Club Welcomes Newest Member

It was our pleasure on July 12 to swear in our newest club member, Adrianna Maybroda of Hamilton, bringing our total membership to 39. Adrianna is looking forward to giving back to the community, having retired from a career in research and development with various medical and pharmaceutical companies. Adrianna enjoys riding horses, gardening, reading and traveling. Welcome, Adrianna!

Ryan’s Quest Receives Prutky Award

On June 28, our club presented its 2024 George Prutky Vocational Service Award and a $500 donation to Ryan’s Quest, a local non-profit founded by David and Maria Schultz after their son Ryan was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The charity is focused primarily on assisting families with equipment like accessible vans and wheelchairs that helps those with Duchenne lead productive lives.

In accepting the award, David thanked community members and businesses that have supported Ryan’s Quest with events such as an annual golf outing. He also gave us an update on Ryan, a graduate of Steinert High School who plans to attend Rowan University and study sports communication and media, hoping to break barriers in that field. https://ryansquest.org

Put Your Old Computer to Good Use

Have computers or computer accessories you no longer need? Our guest speaker on June 28 knows how you can put them to good use.
Trenton Rotarian Mark Iorio told us about TDI Connect, where donated computers are refurbished and provided to families and students through non-profit groups in Mercer County and beyond.
Mark said TDI Connect is partnering with the Trenton Literacy Movement to provide computers that are “vastly” improving the reading skills of 2nd and 3rd graders in the Trenton public school system.
To learn more or to donate computers or accessories, contact PCDonations@TDIConnect.org or call Ray Ingram at 609-462-2933.

Gavel Passed as Club Celebrates Progress; Looks Ahead

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton held its annual Installation Dinner at Tessara Restaurant in Hamilton on June 20. Incoming Club President Joe Cavone received the gavel from outgoing Club President George Ott. Joe outlined his plans for a “magical” year beginning July 1, while George recounted a year of remarkable progress by the club in serving the community. George presented former Club President Kalpana Patel with the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow Recognition pin for her outstanding efforts in 2023-24. Read more about the Robbinsville Hamilton Rotary Club's new president.

EarlyAct Clubs Celebrate Service Projects

Rotary EarlyAct Clubs at Wilson and Greenwood elementary schools in Hamilton held year-end celebrations in early June after months of projects to serve their school, their community and even the world!
The EarlyAct Club members, officers and advisors were presented with achievement certificates and received thanks from Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton President George Ott and Rotary Club EarlyAct Coordinator Kalpana Patel.

Projects at Wilson this year included a food drive for the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank, holiday cards for seniors and hospitalized children, a pet supplies collection for an animal shelter, and garden planting.
At Greenwood, whose EarlyAct Club only began in March, students also did a garden project and collected $843.22 in change to help support a broader Rotary project supplying “aquaponics” kits to families and schools in Nicaragua to grow vegetables and fish.

Students Plant Flowers at Megan’s Place

Fifth graders from Sayen Elementary School in Hamilton joined Rotary Club members in planting flowers at Megan’s Place park on June 7.
After hearing about the history of the park, the students used trowels to plant 50 angel wing begonias donated by Levanduski Landscapes, Inc. of Robbinsville.
Megan’s Place was created in honor of 7-year-old Megan Kanka of Hamilton who was murdered in 1994 in a former house on the site by a convicted child molester. The Rotary Club, then only two years in existence, raised funds to purchase the house, tear it down, and build the park in its place.
Each year, the club invites students from Megan’s former school to participate in activities at the park, located on Barbara Lee Drive, Hamilton.

Club Supports Meal Delivery Organizations

In successive weeks, our club presented $1,000 checks to Robbinsville Meals on Wheels and Mobile Meals of Hamilton for their volunteer work in our communities.
Accepting the donations and telling us about their operations were executive directors, Jodi Marra, Robbinsville and Eileen Eversheim, Hamilton. For information or to volunteer, contact Jodi at 609-954-3172 or Eileen at 609-448-4088.

Students Receive Rotary Scholarships

Congrats to eight local high school seniors who received a total of $7,500 in scholarships from our Rotary Club.
The scholarships, funded through the club’s annual Dollars for Scholars raffle, were based on the students’ community service activities and plans.
The recipients, chosen from among 40 applicants, were Skylar Kunkle, Hamilton West; Zobia Chaudhry, Nottingham; Teresa Loh, Steinert; Chase Braud, Steinert; Jason Maziarz, Steinert; Dylan Carmignani, Robbinsville; Elizabeth Gorman, Notre Dame; and Brendan Appert, Notre Dame.

Rotary Honors Police Officers in Hamilton and Robbinsville

Our Rotary Club in May honored police officers from Hamilton and Robbinsville for their work on the job and in the community.
The club presented 2024 Police Community Service Awards to Lieutenant David Schultz of the Hamilton Police Department and to Patrolman Rene Godfrey of the Robbinsville Police Department.
“The Robbinsville Hamilton Rotary Club has forged relationships with the police departments in each of the two towns we serve. We truly acknowledge the fact that the police officer of 2024 is perhaps the most essential tool of stability and safety in a community,” said Joe Bellina, the Rotary Club’s Police Community Service Awards chairperson.

Lt. Schultz Receives Community Police Award

It was our honor at our meeting on May 24 to present the club’s 2024 Hamilton Police Department’s Community Service Award to Lieutenant David Schultz.
Lt. Schultz, who heads the department’s Community Policing Unit, was chosen for the award by Hamilton Police Chief Kenneth DeBoskey for the officer’s new community initiatives, including Coffee with a Cop, his police recruitment efforts, and his work as President and Co-Founder of Ryan’s Quest.
Ryan’s Quest was founded by David and his wife, Maria, after their son, Ryan, was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The local non-profit is raising awareness of the disease, helping families enrolled in clinical trials, and funding research for better treatments and a cure.

Busy Meeting Features Awards, Inductions

In an action-packed meeting on May 10, our Rotary Club presented a premier Community Service Award, recognized local Students of the Month, honored two groups supporting women’s empowerment, and inducted two new members.
It was a parade of uplifting news, featuring the presentation of the club’s 2024 Vern Applegate Community Service Award to Denise Reil, founder and executive director of Visitation Home, Inc. in Hamilton - shared residences and day programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Also taking the podium were our Students of the Month - Ella Bencivengo, Steinert; Nataly Leon Suquitana, Hamilton West; and Alexa Benedetto, Nottingham - who told us about their activities in and out of school and their plans for the future.
We presented $500 checks to representatives of Homefront and S.H.I.N.E., two of the groups represented at our club’s Women’s Empowerment Fair earlier this year.
And we inducted two new members - Tom Liwosz and Roger Moore, both of Hamilton.

Ptl. Godfrey Receives Community Service Award

On May 3, the Rotary Community Service Award for the Robbinsville Police Department was presented to Patrolman Rene Godfrey. The award includes a $500 donation to the Robbinsville PBA.
Ptl. Godfrey was selected for the award by Robbinsville Chief of Police Michael Polaski for the officer’s police work, his involvement in youth sports with the Police Athletic League and township recreation programs, and his previous service as a Combat Medic in the Army Reserves, including a deployment to Somalia for nine months.
Ptl. Godfrey plans to participate in the Police Unity Tour, a bike ride from West Windsor to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Dress for Success Helping Women Meet Goals

Continuing a focus on women’s empowerment, our club on April 26 presented Dress for Success Central Jersey with $500 to support its wide range of programs to help women achieve economic independence.
Program Manager Nicole Poprik said Dress for Success provides a network of support, professional attire, and tools to thrive at work and in life. Last year alone, the local affiliate, which serves seven counties and partners with over 100 groups, assisted more than 2,400 women, many of whom live under the poverty line.
For more info about Dress for Success and its opportunities to volunteer or to donate gently-used clothing or funds, visit https://centralnj.dressforsuccess.org/

Rotary Aids Kids, Families in Nepal

We were reminded at our April 19 meeting of Rotary’s impact far beyond Hamilton and Robbinsville.
Chuck Conner of the Ripley, WV Rotary Club visited us to report on a recent aid trip to help families and schools in Nepal.
Our club had donated $1,000 to provide medicines for participants in a free health camp in Dubung, a community of 150 households spread across three hamlets in the hills of western Nepal.
The health camp was just one of the features of the aid trip - Chuck’s 13th to the region - that delivered school supplies and uniforms, essential health kits, games and sporting equipment and so much more to a grateful region.
Chuck is the brother of Linda Gearren, a member of the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

Students of the Month Honored

We welcomed our Students of the Month and their families along with some new guests (and prospective members) at our April 12 meeting - adding to the regular breakfast camaraderie.
The high school seniors - Miranda Sommer of Hamilton West, Nathan Bergren of Nottingham and Dylan Carmignani of Robbinsville - impressed us with their activities in and out of school and their plans for the future. A fourth student - Nathen Trevino of Steinert - was unable to attend.
We were also pleased to greet a few other guests to our meeting - Tom and Matt Liwosz and Roger Moore.

Rotary Continues Support for Miracle League

As Opening Day for the Miracle League of Mercer County approaches, we presented MLMC Commissioner and fellow Rotarian Dan Sczweck with a $1,000 check on April 5 to support the league’s operations.

It was the latest financial contribution from our club to the league for special needs players that we helped establish nearly 20 years ago. Rotarians last weekend pitched in to help Dan ready the field for the games that begin on Saturday, April 13.

Honor Flight a ‘Memorable’ Experience for Veterans

At our April 5 meeting, our club learned about a non-profit organization that proudly escorts veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials as part of a full day of special activities.
Karan Peterla of Hamilton told us about Honor Flight New Jersey and its all-inclusive FREE trips for veterans to experience a day-long recognition of their service, including opening and closing ceremonies.
The group’s April 17 bus trip for 100 veterans is fully-booked, but there is another one scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Applications are being accepted.
For more information, contact Karan at 609-562-5144 or visit www.sjhonorflight.org.

Starr Bus Featured at Rotary Meeting

The ‘Starrs’ aligned on March 29 to bring us two impressive speakers - one, the co-owner of a popular Hamilton-based tour bus company and the other, a high school-age founder and president of a local non-profit group.
Sandy Borowsky, vice president of Starr Bus Charter & Tours, told us about the trips and charter opportunities offered by her company and gave us an inside look at the company’s focus on safety, comfort, reliability and convenience. Visit Starr’s website at starrtours.com to check out the variety of choices.

We also heard from Swara Sanghvi of Dream of Blue Skies and presented her with a $500 check to further the group’s mission of bridging socio-economic gaps, starting with education. To learn more about the group and its tutoring opportunities, visit dreamofblueskies.org.

Rotary Supports Shine and Inspire

Our Rotary Club presented Shine and Inspire with $500 on March 22 to further its work in providing students in need with basic necessities like hygiene items, school supplies and non-perishable food. Shine and Inspire Founder Carol Feldman accepted the check.
Following the morning meeting, a group of Rotarians traveled to the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to package 1,600 meals that will be distributed to school children in need of food assistance over a weekend.

Second New EarlyAct Club Formed in Hamilton

A new EarlyAct service club for students at Greenwood Elementary School in Hamilton installed its officers on March 8 and shared details with classmates about its first project - raising funds to provide nutritious food for those in need in Nicaragua.
The 4th grade students are collecting change to be combined with other funds to support a Rotary International project that provides “aquaponics” kits to help families and schools grow fresh vegetables and fish.
The Greenwood EarlyAct Club officers are President Brittany Ramirez; Vice Presidents Daleisa Pineda and Mahina Nayyar; Recording Secretary Pann Aung; Corresponding Secretary Naomi Moore; and Treasurer Mimi Hall.
The EarlyAct Club at Greenwood is the second to be established in Hamilton Township in the past three months. Wilson Elementary School launched its EarlyAct Club in December and is also participating in the Nicaragua project. Both clubs are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton. For more, check out the article in TAPinto

Girls on the Run Recognized by Rotary Club

Beginning a series of awards to groups that participated in our recent Women’s Empowerment Fair, the Rotary Club on March 8 presented a $500 check to Girls on the Run NJ East.
Suzanne Elliott, executive director of the local council, said Girls on the Run provides a fun, evidence-based curriculum for girls 8-13 that inspires participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.
The program operates during two, two-month seasons each year - one in the spring (starting April 8) and the other in mid-September. Each of the seasons culminates in a 5K run/walk. For more information, visit www.GirlsontheRunNJ.org.

Local Company is Kicking Butts

The most littered item on the planet by unit? Cigarette butts. And they’re not just unsightly, they contain toxic chemicals that leech into the environment, especially our waterways.
The good news is that a local company is helping to solve the problem through recycling.
Eric Ascalon of Trenton-based TerraCycle, told Rotarians at our March 1 meeting that 98% of cigarette filters are made of plastic fibers which aren’t biodegradable.
His award-winning company has developed a process for recycling this hard-to-recycle product and is sponsoring free municipal programs and other means for people to properly dispose of the cigarette waste.
For more about this program and others offered by TerraCycle, visit terracycle.org.

New County Executive Outlines Plans

Mercer County Executive Dan Benson spoke to our Rotary Club on Feb. 23, sharing highlights of his comprehensive transition report that will guide the way for reforms, services and investments in the county in the coming months and years. The report is available at bensontransition.com.
He discussed plans for capital improvements to key facilities in the county and said he wants to “super-charge” tourism ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Job one, he said, will be to get the county’s finances back in order. Benson said his administration will be guided by three principles - collaboration, innovation and transparency.

Winter Survival Kits Delivered to Rescue Mission

Rotarians and guests packed more than 100 winter survival kits at the club’s Feb. 16 meeting. The kits, filled with warm clothing accessories and food and hygiene items, were then delivered to the Rescue Mission of Trenton. The Rotary Club supplemented the kits with a $500 donation. A big thanks to Rotarians Danely Gonzalez and Andre Caldini, who coordinated the drive, and to all who contributed items, particularly Mary Jane Diener, who knitted beautiful scarves for the collection. Rotary Club Student of the Month Danielle Deane of Hamilton West H.S. helped assemble the kits.

History in our Midst

This area’s rich history was on full display at our Rotary Club meeting on February 9 as historian and author Larry Kidder took us through the “Ten Crucial Days” that helped turn the tide of the American Revolution. Larry offered fascinating insights into the key battles in Trenton and Princeton that changed the course of history. For more, check out https://tencrucialdays.org/

Schools Chief Backs Ballot Question

Our guest speaker on February 2 was Robbinsville Schools Superintendent Brian Betze. He encouraged voter approval of a $2.75 million ballot question on Tuesday, March 12 to avoid “very difficult decisions” regarding staffing, facilities, courtesy busing, athletics and co-curricular activities.
In his talk, Betze said the additional taxpayer dollars are needed to compensate for inadequate state funding for the school district.
More information is available at www.robbinsville.k12.nj.us

Packing Food for Those in Need

Our trusty crew of Rotarians and friends was back at the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank on Feb. 23 packaging enough food to feed 480 school-aged children for an entire weekend.
Our Rotary Club participates at the Food Bank on the fourth Friday of the month for a couple of hours. If your group is interested in working a shift, contact the Food Bank at 609-406-0503.

Civil Air Patrol Offers Cadet Program for Youth

Our eclectic mix of guest speakers continued on January 26 as we learned of the many facets of the volunteer Civil Air Patrol (CAP) from Maj. Rob McClellan, Deputy Commander of CAP’s Group 223.
One of CAP’s features is a Cadet Program offering opportunities for youth ages 12-18 to fly, learn to lead, hike, camp, get in shape, and push themselves to new limits.
Cadet squadrons meet once a week on a weeknight and usually have an activity one weekend a month. Locally, there are Cadet squadrons that meet in Allentown and in Ewing. There are also volunteer opportunities for adults. Check out JoinCAP.com for more info.

Groups Share Info at Empowerment Fair

It was an uplifting morning at our Rotary Club’s 2nd Annual Women’s Empowerment Fair on January 20 as a dozen groups shared information about their work to support women and children in our area.

Keynote speaker, Mercer County First Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Downing-Mathis, had a special message for the younger women and girls in the audience, encouraging them to work hard to achieve their dreams, set and maintain high standards, do their best to make an impact, and keep a sense of community and inner strength. “The sky’s the limit,” she said.

Rotary Thanks Foley’s Family Market and Customers

Our Rotary Club presented a plaque to Joe Foley, co-owner of Foley's Family Market of Hamilton, recognizing the generous support of the store and its customers for the club’s Send Hunger Packing program.
Twice a year, Rotarians collect food and cash donations from patrons at Foley’s to help the Mercer Street Friends Food Bank provide meals to families and school children in need.
In 2023 alone, the Send Hunger Packing collections at Foley's generated a whopping 2,000 pounds of food and $656 in cash used by the Food Bank to buy food at discount prices.

Club Honors Students of the Month

Three area high school seniors were honored by our Rotary Club as Students of the Month for January. Recognized for their activities in and out of school were Zach Kunkle, Hamilton West; Pierson Ward, Robbinsville; and Cole Bigger, Steinert. A fourth student, Johanna Alexis, Nottingham, was also honored, but was unable to attend the club meeting.
Our club’s 2024 scholarship application is now available in the “Rotary in the Community” section in the website menu above.

Non-Profit Helps Breast Cancer Patients

One really good reason to attend our Rotary Club meetings on Friday mornings - besides the pancakes - is to hear from groups that remind you of how fortunate we are to live in this area. On December 8, our guest speaker was Tracey Destribats - one of three founders of I Believe in Pink, a local non-profit helping patients and their families with the financial challenges that accompany breast cancer.

Robbinsville Hamilton Rotary Looking to Grow

The Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton has 56 members who live or work in the immediate area and who joined the club to make a positive difference in our local and global community. To learn more and consider joining our club, explore this website for information and stop by as a guest at one of our weekly meetings. Our club meets on Friday mornings at 7:30 a.m. at RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center - Hamilton, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton.
Each meeting consists of a speaker on a topic of interest and a roundup of club activities followed by breakfast.

Contact Janice Miller for additional information - rotary.secretary08650@gmail.com.

Women’s Empowerment Fair Set for Jan. 20

Our Women’s Empowerment Fair has been rescheduled for January 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at the RWJ Fitness and Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton. Representatives from 12 organizations that support women and girls will be on hand to share information, and Mercer County First Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Downing-Mathis will provide keynote remarks. Click here to download flyer.

Groups scheduled to attend the Fair include Womanspace, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, HomeFront, Dress for Success, S.H.I.N.E., One Simple Wish, Girl Scouts - Hamilton, I Believe in Pink, the Father Center, Dream of Blue Skies, Shine and Inspire, and Girls on the Run NJ East.

Get Smarter About Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has worked its way into our business and personal activities. You’re invited to join us on Friday, January 5, at 7:30 a.m. at Pj’s Pancake House, 17 Main Street, Robbinsville to learn the latest in this fast-moving field from guest speaker James Sweeney, PhD.

Club Donates Toys for Womanspace Families

As part of our annual holiday party, club members brought unwrapped toys for distribution to families served by Womanspace. The club also provided Womanspace with a $500 check to support its work for women, men and families impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
Womanspace V.P. of Development and Communications Erin Hartshorn thanked the club for its donations as the toys and funds were delivered on Friday, December 22.

Winter Survival Kit Collection Underway

Our annual collection of Winter Survival Kits is underway to benefit clients served by the Rescue Mission of Trenton. We are collecting hats, gloves, scarves, socks, healthy food items, toiletries, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, feminine hygiene products and other personal items. You can drop off items at one of several locations (Drop off here).

Thank you for your support!

Wilson School Forms Early Act Club

Congratulations to the George E. Wilson Elementary School in Hamilton for establishing an EarlyAct service club for its students! In its first weeks, the club collected hundreds of pounds of food to help feed hungry families in Mercer County and prepared holiday cards and friendship bracelets for hospital patients.

The EarlyAct club is sponsored by our Rotary Club and run by the students with general guidance from faculty advisors. To learn more about EarlyAct in the Wilson school CLICK here.

Community Tree Planting 2023

The Rotary Club planted single trees in Robbinsville and Hamilton this week to honor the communities and promote conservation - building on the club’s 30th Anniversary tree plantings last year.

In consultation with the townships, the club planted a Dawn Redwood on the Hoagland tract at Sayen Gardens in Hamilton and a Syringa “Ivory Silk” Lilac Tree near the Rotary Gazebo on Lake Drive in Robbinsville. Plaques will be installed at the base of the trees in the coming weeks.

The club last year planted commemorative trees near the Rotary Gazebo in Robbinsville, at the Miracle League of Mercer County field in Hamilton, and near the main entrance to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.

The tree plantings were coordinated by Club President-Elect Joe Cavone with the support of the club's Board of Directors led by Club President George Ott.

Flags for Heroes a Success

The 2023 Flags for Heroes display was a major success with more than 250 flags flying for nearly three weeks in November on the grounds of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton.
Each flag sponsor is receiving the keepsake flag medallion that was attached to the flag during the display containing the message to their personal hero.
Net proceeds from the Flags for Heroes event are being donated to non-profit organizations in Mercer County, including the Mercer County Military Action Council, which will help finance an active U.S. military member’s return to their family during military leave.