Southeby’s real estate agent Mary Ellen O’Boyle explained to the Rotary Club of Westfield how the new regulations for real estate sales would work. She says that the “changes are big and are a game changer”. Sotheby's real estate agent Mary Ellen O'Boyle explained about changes to real estate as a result of a lawsuit and NJ real estate laws. The lawsuit concerned sellers not wanting to compensate a buyer agent. The result is that the seller can choose not to pay a buyer agent. However, sellers can still offer compensation to buyer agents. (Commissions are & always have been negotiable). As of August 17th multiple listings will no longer be able to display the compensation. Agents working with buyers will need to contact the seller's agent to determine if there is compensation being offered by the seller. This encompasses all MLS's in all states.
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New Real Estate Commissions explained to Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2024-08-06 03:00:00Z |
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Don’t miss the Rotary Club of Westfield’s 57th annual Breakfast with the Bands, Saturday, March 2. “We’re looking forward to another great year of hearing great music, coming together as a community, and of course, pancakes,” said event chair Lauren Barr. “Because of the support of the Westfield community, our club has been able to give more than $3 million dollars to 1,800 Westfield students since 1967.” The breakfast will take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Westfield High School, featuring performances by top bands from Westfield High School, Edison Intermediate School and Roosevelt Intermediate School. Tickets are $10 and available from Rotarians or at the door. All proceeds benefit Rotary’s scholarship program. Enjoy great music, great food, while supporting great causes! This year’s event is sponsored by: Shruti Shukla, D.D.S.; Children’s Specialized Hospital, Phelan, Frantz, Olig, Wegbreit;. Fanwood Animal Hospital; Spencer Savings Bank; Mary Ellen O’Boyle and Maxwell’s Furniture Restoration.
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Rotary Club of Westfield's Breakfast With the Bands Returns
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Lauren Barr
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2024-02-27 04:00:00Z |
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WESTFIELD – Blake Width, Rotary Club of Westfield Community Service Grants Chairperson, has announced that Rotary Grant Applications are now being accepted for consideration. Non-profit organizations may receive a copy of the official application directly from this Rotary website or by e-mail to blakewidth@gmail.com. To be considered for a Westfield Rotary Club Community Service Grant, local non-profit organizations must complete and submit the official grant application. Grant applications will be reviewed in the Spring, and must be submitted before the respective April 15th deadline to be considered. The Rotary Club, in accordance with its goal of Community Service, is most interested in providing grants for programs and projects that directly serve the people in the community. As part of the decision process, the Grants Committee reviews the simple one-page application form to receive a clear understanding of the way in which the funds are used. Grants will not be awarded for capital improvements or operating funds. An organization may only apply for one grant per year. Rotary is a community service organization comprised of business and professional men and women who live or work in the Westfield area. The Rotary Club of Westfield meets Tuesdays at 12 p.m. Prospective members and guests are welcome to join any of the weekly meetings. For additional information, please e-mail info@westfieldrotary.com or visit our website http://www.westfieldrotary.com/
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Rotary Club of Westfield Offers Community Service Grant Applications to Local Non-Profits
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D. Michael Hart
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2024-02-27 04:00:00Z |
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At a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, Rotarian Mark Wright explained how the RYE program works. The RYE program creates worlds of possibilities, leadership skills, lifelong memories, and new friendships for both students and the families they live with during their time away. Designed for high school students aged 15 to 18.5 at the time of departure, over 9,000 students around the globe participate in the program each year and the RYE program offers a fun, yet safe way to travel and immerse yourself in another country and culture.
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Westfield Rotary Discusses the Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Program
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D. Michael Hart
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2024-02-20 04:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, Feb 6th, 2024, the Rotary Club of Westfield hosted Past District Governor Dr. D. Michael Hart who told the story of how Rotary started. Paul Harris as a young lawyer, started the first Rotary club in Chicago in 1905 with three other business colleagues. Since they rotated the meeting place between their offices, they decided to call themselves the Rotary Club. At that time, the United States did not have federal protections for consumers. The free market operated as “Caveat Emptor”, which is Latin for “Let the Buyer Beware”. If you bought a bad product, you could not return it or get a refund. It was hard to decide which business people you could trust. Paul Harris decided that the club would consist of one ethical, trustworthy person from each profession: one lawyer, one butcher, one coal vendor, etc. The club would have an ethical code. He focused on the owner or head manager of each business. It became very prestigious to be invited to join the Rotary Club. This was a group of highly ethical business people you could trust. The autobiography of how Paul Harris started Rotary is detailed in his book “My Road to Rotary” published in 1945.
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How did the Rotary Start?
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D. Michael Hart
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2024-02-06 04:00:00Z |
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After more than 125 years of service to the community, The Woman’s Club of Westfield is passing on their legacy to the Rotary Club of Westfield to continue their longstanding scholarship program. The Woman’s Club of Westfield started in 1895 with 40 women members. Miss Emma Bridges was the first president. In 1896, the Club joined the New Jersey State Federation of Woman’s Clubs and the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. They purchased a building in Westfield on Euclid Avenue for their meetings in the 1950’s, but sold it in the 1990’s as membership began to decline.
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Westfield Rotary continues Legacy of Woman’s Club
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-12-05 04:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, November 14, the Westfield Rotary Club heard a speaker about the terror of Polio. We all saw how fast another virus- COVID - spread around the world in just a few months. Polio was the most feared infectious disease in the 20th century. The Polio Virus infects the nerves going to muscles of young children, and paralyses them. Entire hospital wards were filled with children in “Iron Lungs” to help them breathe. The song “Just a Spoonful of Sugar” in Mary Poppins was written about the polio vaccine being administered in sugar cubes the 1950’s. The board game “Candy Land” was created for children who were stuck in Polio wards for years.
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Westfield Rotary Club Gets a “Spoonful of Sugar”
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-11-14 04:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Marla Itzkin, the Associate Director for Communications and Development of the Westfield Area Y, spoke to the Rotary Club of Westfield about the history of the Y in Westfield over the past 100 years. The Rotary Club of Westfield was 3 years old when the Y Board decided to build the structure on Clark Street. The Rotary Club helped raise the funds to build the Y, and met there for probably about 80 years. The Rotary Club has a close relationship to the Y, and provides community grants to them every year.
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Westfield Y reviews history with Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-11-07 04:00:00Z |
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On Saturday, Oct 14, 2023 the representatives of six Rotary clubs delivered needed supplies to the homeless veterans living at Lyons VA Administration, building 53, in Lyons, NJ. This Rotary program was started by Westfield Rotarian Burim Regjaj, and has been running for 4 years. The program is designed to help homeless military veterans, and five other Rotary clubs have joined the effort. Rotary International President Gordon McInally has made addressing mental health a priority for Rotary Clubs this year. Past District Governor Dr. Michael Hart feels that as a society we have an obligation to take care of our veterans whose health has been damaged by their service. These men and women put their lives at risk to protect our freedom. More than that, they put their health at risk, and now may be damaged mentally with PTSD.
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Rotary Helps Homeless Veterans
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-10-14 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, Oct 10, 2023, Past Rotary District Governor Dr. D. Michael Hart spoke to the Rotary Club of Caldwell about joining a program the Westfield Rotary Club has been running for 5 years. The program is designed to help homeless military veterans. It was started by Westfield Rotarian Burim Regjaj. 18 American military veterans commit suicide every day. That’s 6,570 suicides per year. More than four times as many than we lost in all the wars since September 11th, 2001. In that time period, the US has lost 7,057 soldiers in wars; but 30,177 to soldier suicides.
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Dr. Hart speaks to Caldwell Rotary Club about helping homeless veterans
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-10-10 03:00:00Z |
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On Saturday, October 7, 2023, the Rotary Club of Westfield collected 69 bicycles and 4 sewing machines to send to the developing world. Saturdays collection will be divided between Togo in West Africa, or Belize, in central America. This program was started by an American working with the Peace Corps in Ecuador. He noticed that a carpenter with a bicycle was a lot more productive than another carpenter who had to walk and carry his tools everywhere. This gave him the idea to start shipping used bikes to the third world. A bicycle will enable a person to get to work easier or produce more, if they run a small business. Children may be able to ride longer distances in order to attend school. When a person gets a sewing machine, they could start their own small business, and be able to support a family.
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Westfield Rotary Collects Bikes for the Developing World
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-10-07 03:00:00Z |
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Dinner & Concert for Ukrainian Aid
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Stephan Specht
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2023-09-22 03:00:00Z |
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State Senator Jon Bramnick spoke to the Rotary Club of Westfield on August 15, 2023. The senator discussed many local issues including the need for balance and compromise in politics. Dubbed New Jersey's funniest Lawyer, Mr. Bramnick has an upcoming show at NJPAC this fall. He is pictured here with Club President Barbara Frantz. The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of each month at noon at Limani Seafood Restaurant in Westfield, Guests are welcome.
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State Senator Jon Bramnick spoke to the Rotary Club of Westfield
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-08-15 03:00:00Z |
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Friday evening, June 9, the Rotary Club of Westfield Foundation awarded $94,450 in scholarships to 16 students. Since 1967 the Rotary has awarded over $3.4 million dollars in scholarships to approximately 1800 students. Carl Peer, Esq is the chair of the Rotary Club Foundation Scholarship Committee, He complimented the outstanding caliber of the student applicants. Carl reviewed the three requirements to receive a Rotary scholarship: a strong Academic background to demonstrate future success in college; Financial need; and Service to the community.
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Westfield Rotary Awards Scholarships
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-06-09 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at a regular Rotary meeting, two high school exchange students spoke to the club members. The student from Brazil is completing her year here, and the other student is planning a year trip to Argentina this coming school year, starting in August. Rotary Club Exchange Committee Chair Mark Wright commented that about 8,000 high school students will be spending a year in another country through this Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Rotary is located in 166 countries throughout the world. Mark commented that this is a life - changing program for teenagers. The student needs to be very brave to go to a strange land for a year on their own. Mark’s father was in the Rotary when he was growing up, and Mark spent a year in Germany with the program, which had a profoundly positive effect on his life.
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Westfield Rotary Hosts High School Student Exchanges
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-06-06 03:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Westfield honored the recipients of the Philhower and Steengrafe Fellowships at their regular meeting luncheon on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Each award includes a stipend of $500. Wilson Elementary School 1st grade teacher Marie Morris is the 2023 recipient of the Philhower Fellowship in recognition of outstanding teaching at the elementary school level. At the same time, Franklin Elementary School head custodian Jesse Rodriguez received the Steengrafe Award, introduced this year by the Rotary Club to recognize non-certificated staff for their dedication and commitment.
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Philhower and Steengrafe Awards
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-05-16 03:00:00Z |
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Gerry Cooney, former Heavyweight Professional Boxer was the Speaker at Westfield Rotary’s Lunch on May 9. Mr. Cooney, a Fanwood resident, talked to the club about his professional boxing career, his triumphant battle with addiction and his recently released autobiography "Gentleman Gerry, A Contender in the Ring, A Champion in Recovery". Pictured are Rotary Club of Westfield President Tony LaPorta (left) and and “Gentleman“ Gerry Cooney. The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays at Limani Seafood Restaurant.
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Boxer Gerry Cooney Speaks to Westfield Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-05-09 03:00:00Z |
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Brendan Bertsch , Director of Speakers of the Rotary Club of Westfield Rotary announced that Gerry Cooney will be the club's lunch time speaker on Tuesday, May 9. Cooney, a resident of Fanwood, was the number one ranked Heavy Weight Contender in 1981 and 1982. Cooney was born in New York City and resided in Huntington Long Island, NY. Known as "Gentleman Gerry Cooney," he was not so nice to his opponents in the ring. Cooney's Professional Boxing record was 31 total fights, 28 wins, 24 Knock Outs and 3 defeats. Cooney boxed Larry Holmes for the Heavy Weight Crown in 1982, which Holmes won and retained his title.
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Boxer Gerry Cooney to Speak at Westfield Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-04-30 03:00:00Z |
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At the regular Rotary meeting on Tuesday, noon, April 11, 2023, the members of the Rotary Club of Westfield heard about how a young man is making a difference to help people. John El-Maraghy was a student at Rutgers and noticed that during covid, the men’s shelter in New Brunswick shut down the showers. He and his wife decided to do something about that to help the homeless men in New Brunswick. They started a 501c3 to provide a mobile van which offered the homeless men the ability to take showers. It also includes a barbershop. They started in New Brunswick once a week, but have expanded to include Newark once a month, and hope to expand to Hoboken and Orange. After the shower, they offer a care package including socks, T shirts and toiletries.
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Westfield Rotary Hears about Helping Homeless
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-04-14 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at a regular Rotary Club meeting, Breakfast with the Bands event chair Barbara Frantz bestowed the Golden Pancake Award to Rotarian Warren Rorden. This award is given every year to the individual who exhibits dedication above and beyond normal expectations for the annual Rotary fundraiser called Breakfast with the Bands, formerly called Rotary Pancake Day. The proceeds of this fundraiser go to college scholarships and community grants. Musical groups form Westfield High School, Roosevelt Middle School and Edison Middle School performed. Last year the Rotary Club of Westfield awarded $117,400 in college scholarships and $26,000 in Community Grants. The Club has been running this event every year since 1967. Approximately 400 people attended the event this year. The Rotary Club would like to especially thank the sponsors of the event: Mary Ellen O’Boyle - Prominent Properties Sotheby’s; Children’s Specialized Hospital; Fanwood Animal Hospital; Phelan, Frantz, Ohlig & Wegbreit, Esq; Dr Shruti Shukla, DDS at Great Smiles General Dentistry; Westfield Area YMCA; Raymond Kostyack, Wells Fargo Advisors; Steven Lowe; Maxwell’s Furniture Restoration; Northfield Bank; Spencer Savings Bank; Star Painting; Warren and Ginny Rorden; Westfield Financial Planning; and David & Shuang Wroe.
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Westfield Rotary Bestows Golden Pancake Award
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-04-07 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at a regular meeting, the Rotary Club of Westfield inducted two new members: Vincent Luongo and Michael Kaufman. Rotary is an organization of successful local business people who want to “give back” to the community. The Rotary Club of Westfield has projects to address local hunger issues, help homeless veterans, collect used bicycles for the third world, raise funds for Ukrainian refugees in eastern Europe, accept exchange students from Brazil and Australia, provide scholarships to Westfield college students and community grants to other local organizations.
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Westfield Rotary Inducts Two New Members
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-04-04 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Dr. Raymond González spoke to the Westfield Rotary Club about the Westfield Public School District, his experience in education, the roles of the Board of Education and district administration, and the upcoming public vote on the school district operating budget for the 2023-2024 school year.
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Westfield Superintendent Speaks to Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-03-22 03:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Westfield is accepting nominations for the 30th Annual Charles Philhower Fellowship Award, which recognizes an outstanding full-time educator in Grades Pre-K through 5 in the Westfield Public Schools. Additionally, the Rotary Club is introducing the 1st Annual Weyman Steengrafe Award to recognize full-time employees of the Westfield Public School who are not certified teachers. The deadline to submit a nomination for both awards is Friday, April 14, 2023.
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Nominations Welcomed for 2023 Philhower Fellowship Award and New 2023 Steengrafe Award
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-03-14 03:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, March 14th, 2023, at a regular Rotary Club of Westfield meeting, Westfield Fire Chief Michael Duelks and Battalion Chief Brian Piccola spoke to the members about fire safety and the various roles the fire department plays in town.
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Fire Chief Speaks to Westfield Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-03-14 03:00:00Z |
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Police Chief Christopher Battiloro spoke to the Rotary Club of Westfield on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, about issues in Westfield. The number one crime issue in Westfield is car thefts. His advice is to lock your cars, take your keys inside and lock your house. According to the chief, thieves will typically enter Westfield in a stolen car with four or five occupants, including minors. They go up and down the streets, checking door handles for unlocked vehicles. They do not break into cars, and do not “hot wire” them. When they find luxury cars open with the key fob inside, the thief does not need to find the fob - they just push the start button, start the car, and drive off. There have also been incidents where thieves used an unlocked vehicle with no fob inside, to open garage doors gaining access to the home for theft of the keys and vehicles. Due to the combination of a large concentration of luxury vehicles and easy access to highways, Westfield is the perfect place to steal cars according to the chief. He said that Newark is the center of the car thief rings, where the cars are brought and loaded onto ships to be sent overseas for sale. Chief Battiloro says that he has taken measures to reduce car theft. First is public awareness- he asks residents to lock their cars and houses. Next, the town has mounted 15 license plate readers around town, which are able to scan the license plates and report stolen cars coming into town to the police department. Since they started this process, the car thefts have dropped by 50%.
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Police Chief Tells Rotarians to Lock their Cars and Houses
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D. Michael Hart
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2023-02-14 04:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, November 15, former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman spoke to the Rotary Club of Westfield, NJ regarding her work with the US Democracy Center and her foundation of the Forward Party, a centrist movement advocating for a ranked choice voting system, non-partisan primaries and independent redistricting commissions in the United States.
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Governor Christie Whitman speaks to Westfield Rotary
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D. Michael Hart
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2022-11-15 04:00:00Z |
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Marilyn Ryan was presented with the prestigious Jean Harris Award at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield. This award is given to a non- Rotarian who does exceptional service to the community. It is a District wide award. The Rotary District 7475 comprises of 77 clubs through 9 counties in northern New Jersey. District Awards Chair David Breidinger, from the Rotary Club of Trenton, presented this award on June 7, 2022. Past President and Rotary Club Foundation Chair Liz Ensslin nominated Marilyn because she has worked closely with her for many years through the Rotary’s food program to feed the hungry. Her remarks are as follows: “Marilyn has dedicated her entire life to those in need. After earning a bachelor’s degree in education from Seton Hall University in South Orange, Marilyn embarked on a 20-year career as a teacher in the parochial school systems in both Elizabeth and Linden. She returned to school and became a licensed practical nurse, working in the Rahway Hospital Pediatrics Unit for the next 12 years. In 1985, she assumed the position of Pastoral Associate at Parish Community of Saint Helen in Westfield. In this role Marilyn coordinates many Outreach Programs and Eucharistic Ministry. Marilyn is the coordinator of the Helping Hands and Hearts Program, which is designed to provide temporary financial or material assistance to those in need in our community. Marilyn serves on the advisory board of Sister Pat’s Camp for Kids with Cancer in New York and is an Emeritus Member of the Board of St. Joseph’s Social Center in Elizabeth. What is most important to know about Marilyn is that she is truly one of the most selfless people we know. The poor, the hungry and those in need always come first. She is the driver of our Soup Kitchens, Food Pantry, Service Auction and many other ministries. When it comes to her work, Marilyn leads by example. She empowers others to lead their ministries for the poor and disadvantaged, but she also never hesitates to roll up her sleeves, pack Thanksgiving Baskets or deliver gifts to the poor. Marilyn knows first-hand that to “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Her legacy is not only the work she does herself but the work she supports and empowers others to do. While we think of Marilyn delivering to those in need, we also deeply value the support she provides to members of our community who are suffering from illness, grief or a family crisis. She has truly touched the hearts of many and taught us how to serve others and be an advocate for others less fortunate than ourselves.” Many guests attended the meeting and gave Marilyn accolades for her dedicated service to the community and surrounding avenues. The Rotary Club of Westfield meets the first three Tuesdays of the month at noon at Limani Restaurant on North Ave. Guests are always Welcome. For information check the Rotary Club website at www.westfieldrotary.org or contact secretary Michael Hart by email drmhart@yahoo.com Photo: left to right: District Awards Chair David Breidinger, Jean Harris Award recipient Marilyn Ryan, Rotary Club Foundation Chair Liz Ensslin.
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Jean Harris Award Given to Marilyn Ryan!
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2022-06-11 03:00:00Z |
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Westfield Rotarians loaded a cargo van with over 3,000 books collected by McKinley and Jefferson Schools Early Clubs and Roosevelt Intermediate's Interact Club. The books were driven to Hartford, CT to go on a shipping container leaving for Obike, Nigeria. The books collected are for the new schools being built by Fr. Kingsley's (center in 1st photo) charity DMIWOO (Divine Mercy International Widows and Orphans Organization). https://dmiwoo.org
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Obike Book Drive 2022
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2022-04-29 03:00:00Z |
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It was an honor for our club to have District Governor Shelby Rhodes come to help us with Breakfast with the Bands this past weekend. You can see her cutting fruit!
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Breakfast with the Bands
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2022-03-07 04:00:00Z |
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On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the regular weekly Rotary meeting, the Rotary Club of Westfield, NJ inducted two new members: Stephan Specht and Mark Wright. Rotary is a business networking and service club for successful business people who wish to “give back” to their communities. The Westfield Club has 47 members, and there are 1.3 million Rotarians in 33,000 Rotary clubs in 166 countries worldwide. Stephan Specht is a Rotarian transfer from Germany and moved to Westfield last summer with his family. Mark Wright was born and raised in Vermont and is the son of a Rotarian dentist and a high school math teacher. Welcome to you both! Photo: Left to Right: New member Mark Wright; Past District Governor Dr. D. Michael Hart; Bianca Wright; new member Stephan Specht; President elect Barbara Frantz; President Blake Width.
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Westfield Rotary Inducts Two New Members
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2022-01-25 04:00:00Z |
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Westfield Rotarians mourn the loss of fellow Rotarian, Nancy Jackson. Nancy joined the club in 1998 and earned 4 Paul Harris recognitions. She is Past President and served for many years as club secretary as well as on the scholarship committee. Nancy was one of the first women to join Rotary and loved all things Rotary. She will be remembered for her dedication to the club and for being a role model for new members.
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Nancy Jackson
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Liz Ensslin
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2021-12-02 04:00:00Z |
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OUR NEIGHBORS DISPLACED BY HURRICANE IDA NEED OUR HELP! We are still collecting bags of food for families in Elizabeth. All contributions go to St. Joseph's Social Services Center. Please see the list below for updated list of items needed. Collection by Rotary is every Wednesday morning before 11:00am at either 438 Poe Ave or 529 Hanford Place in Westfield. Please consider donating the following “hotel friendly” (ready to eat or microwaveable) items: Bottled water Canned fish and chicken – in flip top cans or pouches Fruit – in flip top cans or plastic cups packed in 100% juice or dried Applesauce – no added sugar in plastic jars or cups Shelf stable milk or milk alternatives Shelf stable microwaveable meals such as stews, chili, macaroni and cheese, hearty soups (low sodium options are welcome) Whole grain cereal Oatmeal – instant or in microwaveable containers Nuts and Nut butters Granola Bars Crackers – preferably whole grain 100% Fruit or Vegetable Juice Please No Glass Thank you!
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Donations Needed!
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2021-09-13 03:00:00Z |
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Rotary Club Awards 2021 Scholarships WESTFIELD -- The Rotary Club of Westfield is proud to announce 20 scholarship awards to Westfield residents totaling $117,400. The awards were given at the Westfield High School awards night on May 26. "It is always wonderful to award scholarships to hardworking and deserving Westfield students. This year's applicant group was incredibly impressive," Rotary Scholarship Committee Chair Carl Peer said. "As part of Rotary's commitment to education, these scholarships have funded over $3 million dollars of higher learning since 1967." The scholarships, which are funded by various means, are administered by The Rotary Club of Westfield and awarded based on academic excellence, financial need, and the student's commitment to community service. Harry Sturcke Scholars are: Rebekkah Dayon who will attend Montclair State University ($7,000); Martha Byrne who will attend Notre Dame ($7,000); Timothy O'Brien who will attend Washington College ($4,000) and Emily Bergerman who will attend Boston University ($4,000). The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation. The Robert and Winifred Read Health Science Scholarship in memory of Linda Read was awarded to Aidan Bertsch ($1,000) who will attend University of Wisconsin; Joy Mulzoff who will attend James Madison University ($8,000) and Gianna Grace Magniamele who will attend Franklin and Marshall College ($1,000). The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Foundation. The Chester A. Gerdes Scholar award was given to Eva Terry who will attend the University of Virginia ($5,000). The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Foundation. Sebastian Wroe who will attend Stevens Institute of Technology and Dilany Santamaria, who will attend Brigham Young University-Provo were each awarded the four year $15,000 scholarship in memory of Charles and Florence Wallace. A $5,000 scholarship in memory of the Wallaces was also award to Katherine Wistner who will attend the University of Pittsburg. The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Foundation. Andrew Pink, who will attend Ohio University and Ralph Cerrero, who will attend Penn State were each awarded the $6,000 Georgianna Pollack Scholar. The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation. A $3,400 scholarship in memory of Phil Richardson was awarded to Liam Robb, who will attend Mitchell College. The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation. The 2021 Rotary Scholars are: Michaela Hobson (Roger Williams University $6,000), Elizabeth Bielen (Lehigh University $5,000), Dilany Santamaria (Brigham Young University-Provo $3,000) and Maxwell Zander Scialabba (College of Arts and Sciences Cornell University $1,000). The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation. Additionally, two Robert and Winifred Read Health and Law Scholarships were awarded to Xenia Kobori (University of Toronto $10,000) and Caroline Bielen (University of Pittsburgh $5,000) who reside in the Town of Westfield and who are interested in pursuing a law degree. The scholarship funding is overseen by the Westfield Foundation. The Rotary Club of Westfield is a service organization of business men and women. Website www.westfieldrotary.com It is part of an International Organization of 1.2 million people in 200 countries around the world. www.rotary.org Local projects include hunger insecurity, helping homeless veterans, planting trees, supporting youth service clubs in the schools, and scholarships. Guests are always welcome to attend meetings. For information contact Club Secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart at drmhart@yahoo.com
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2021 Rotary Scholarship Winners
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2021-06-18 03:00:00Z |
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We are still collecting bags of food for families in Elizabeth. All contributions go to St. Joseph's Social Services Center. Please see the list below for updated list of items needed. Collection is every Wednesday morning before 11:00am at either 438 Poe Ave or 529 Hanford Place in Westfield.
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St. Joseph's Food Collection
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Brendan Bertsch
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2021-04-02 03:00:00Z |
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Come together. Support those in need. Be the Light. You can help fight hunger in Union County by purchasing luminaries and displaying them at dusk on November 29th, the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. This effort is jointly sponsored by the Westfield United Fund , the Presbyterian Church of Westfield and the Rotary Club of Westield. Please help to spread the message of light and hope as we support those in need. Each luminary kit sold raises more than $10 for non-sectarian hunger programs in Union County. These programs include The Westfield Food Pantry, St. Joseph’s Social Service Center, PCW’s Agape Local Food Boxes and Agape Community Kitchen, The Rotary Club’s Backpack Program and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. Luminaries will be available for pick-up the weekend before the event and can be purchased through November 14th. Purchasers will be emailed with details of pick up location. Help us line our streets with the light of hope burning within our community... Be the Light, Westfield! Come together. Support those in need. Be the Light.
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Be The Light! Luminaries to Fight Hunger
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Marc Millet
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2020-10-31 03:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Westfield, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Morristown and General Needs veterans service organization, has been visiting and supporting veterans housed at the Hope for Veterans® Transitional Housing housing program on the campus of Lyons VA hospital. These veterans are in the process of recovering from homelessness. The Hope for Veterans program, operated by Community Hope, provides transitional housing as well as services such as mental health therapy, access to employment and educational resources and placement in permanent housing for these men and women. But they also need to know that our community has not forgotten their service to our country. The Rotary effort helps to communicate this in a tangible way. Each week, Rotary volunteers are delivering a special luncheon for 80 veterans each week as a way to brighten their day and tell them that we remember. The meals are prepared by local restaurants. To support this effort and other programs to feed the less fortunate in our community, please CLICK HERE and donate to the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation. Donations are especially welcome now because every dollar donated fighting hunger, up to $10,000 will be matched by a special gift from one Rotary member. As One veteran said "OMG, someone didn't forget us with all this virus and stuff!" We must not and will not forget our veterans. Dressed for the Occasion! Rotarian collecting meals at 5 Star Catering and Deli.
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"OMG, someone didn't forget us with all this virus and stuff!"
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2020-05-05 03:00:00Z |
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Ms. Jeanine Gottko, master technology teacher for grades K-8 in the Westfield Public Schools, will receive the Philhower Fellowship award at the online meeting of the Rotary Club of Westfield on Tuesday, May 5. The Philhower Fellowship is awarded to honor a teacher in the Westfield Public Schools who has made an outstanding contribution to elementary education. Each year, the honoree is selected by a committee which includes Rotarians and Westfield educators. The award is given in memory of Charles Philhower, a founder and past President of the Club and a lifelong Rotarian. As master technology teacher, Ms. Gottko is responsible for training teachers in the use of instructional technology such as computer-aided learning systems. When the Westfield schools had to switch rapidly to distance learning to deal with the covid-19 epidemic, Ms. Gottko played a pivotal role in helping students and staff make this difficult transition and assuring that all students continued their education during these trying times. Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Margaret Dolan stated “Jeanine is so deserving of this important recognition.Her years as a classroom teacher combined with an impressive knowledge of digital learning tools and technology has been invaluable to our school community, especially during the educational upheaval caused by COVID-19"
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Westfield Educator Jeanine Gottko to Receive Philhower Award
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Marc Millet
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2020-05-02 03:00:00Z |
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Rotary District 7475, which includes the Rotary Club of Westfield and 82 other Rotary clubs in central and northern New Jersey, is donating 10 ventilators to hospitals in New Jersey. Three are going to Trinitas Hospital, and seven are going to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital . This effort was spearheaded by Dr. D. Michael Hart, a longtime Westfield Rotarian and a past District Governor of Rotary. Dr. Hart currently serves as Foundation Chairman of District 7475. As a part of the effort, Rotary volunteers located refurbished ventilators which could be purchased in this environment, and arranged a grant proposal for approximately $100,000. This proposal was submitted to the Rotary Foundation which is supported by Rotarians throughout the world. The Rotary Foundation approved and funded the grant proposal in days, rather than the normal months required for study and approval.
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Rotary Donates Ventilators to NJ Hospitals
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2020-04-10 03:00:00Z |
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Disadvantaged families are continually in crisis. When schools closed due to COVID, the school lunches many students depended on were not available, and they weren't receiving the “second lunch Tuesday” sandwiches Westfield schools have provided for many years. So Westfield Rotarians stepped up to help fill this critical need by distributing food to families directly and through St Joseph’s Social Service Center/The Elizabeth Coalition. Some of the food that was collected is shown in the photo below. While schools have thankfully reopened, we continue to support other programs to feed the less fortunate in our community. Please CLICK HERE and donate to the Westfield Rotary Club Foundation.
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Helping Keep People Fed During The Crisis
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2020-03-22 03:00:00Z |
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Don’t miss the Rotary Club of Westfield’s 54th Annual Breakfast with the Bands! The breakfast will be held on Saturday, February 29th from 8am to noon at Westfield High School, 550 Dorian Road. This annual community event features performances by top bands from Westfield High School, Roosevelt Intermediate School and Edison Intermediate School. You can enjoy these performances, encourage our young musicians, and have a great breakfast with your neighbors and friends, all while supporting programs which help make Westfield a very special community. All proceeds benefit Rotary’s scholarship and community grants programs and Project Hunger. The event is Sponsored by Jayson Astel of Edward Jones and Mary Ellen O'Boyle of Sothebys. Tickets are $10 and available from Rotarians or at the door. You can also purchase tickets online--Click Here
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Breakfast With The Bands
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2020-02-13 04:00:00Z |
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The Rotary Club of Westfield is collecting hats, gloves and socks for homeless people in our community. Please bring your items, which should be new or used but clean and in good condition, to the drop boxes located at Columbia Bank, 251 North Ave. West, and at Northfield Bank, 828 South Ave. West. Both locations are accessible only during banking hours. The donated items will be distributed through St. Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth, St. Ann's Soup Kitchen in Newark, and at the Transitional Shelter for homeless veterans at the VA Hospital campus in Lyons.
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Hats, Gloves and Socks Needed Right Now!
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2020-01-11 04:00:00Z |
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On Saturday, October 19, Westfield Rotarians collected 100 bicycles and 10 sewing machines for re-use. Thanks to the generosity of the Westfield community, the lives of 110 people in underdeveloped nations, and their communities, will be better. The collection total this year was far in excess of prior years, and adds to the total of over 2100 bicycles and 110 sewing machines collected since the first annual collection . The Rotarian volunteers set up each donated bicycle in a compact configuration for shipment by removing the pedals, turning the handlebars , and removing bulky accessories. Many hands made light work. The fellowship which comes from working alongside old friends and new acquaintances in a worthwhile cause made the time fly by. The event culminated with loading the bicycles into the truck for shipment, and a hearty cheer when the day's collection was tallied.
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Rotary Bike Collection Changes 100 Lives In A Day
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2019-10-22 03:00:00Z |
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From 9am to noon on Saturday, October 19 at the Board of Education Building, 302 Elm St., Westfield Rotary will collect bicycles and sewing machines for re-use by people in underdeveloped countries. This event, held annually by Rotary in cooperation with Pedals for Progress, has collected over 2000 bicycles and over 100 sewing machines in past years. That unused bike or sewing machine taking up space in your home can make a real difference in the life of someone less fortunate. For example, a farmer who tends a field 10 miles from his village will spend 5 hours or more just walking to and from the field each day. A bicycle will free up 3 or more hours every working day for the farmer to earn more and improve his life and his community. Pedals for Progress ships the bicycles to the receiving country and repairs them in a shop within the receiving country to provide added benefits in employment and skills. The bicycles are then sold for a nominal price, typically a dollar or two, within the reach of those willing to help themselves. Sewing machines allow empower women to earn income for their families. That machine which you have not touched for years can help a child's family afford school fees and break the cycle of poverty. No advance registration is required--Just bring in your sewing machines and bicycles! Bicycles and sewing machines do NOT have to be in working order. It costs $40 to collect, process, ship, rebuild and distribute each bicycle. A donation toward shipping costs is necessary (suggested minimum $10 per bike). In addition to your donations, Peoples Capital Group has provided a donation to help offset this expense.
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Bike and Sewing Machine Collection Drive Saturday October 19
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Marc Millet
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2019-09-29 03:00:00Z |
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At the Westfield Rotary's sandwich drive event on September 16,2019, our community joined together to attack hunger in our community. Seventy five people came together to make sandwiches for distribution to those in need. The participants came to the assembly hall of the Presbyterian Church in Westfield armed with bread, meat, cheese and a desire to help their fellow man. Many hands joined together to produce over 1100 healthy and sandwiches. Rotarian volunteers organized the production process, supplied the necessary sanitary gloves and table coverings, joined with the community volunteers in making the sandwiches, and also collected and stored the sandwiches. The next day, Rotarians delivered the sandwiches to the community feeding programs of St.Joseph Social Service Center in Elizabeth and the Salvation Army in Plainfield.
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Rotary Sponsors Community Event to Fight Hunger
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Marc Millet
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2019-09-18 03:00:00Z |
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On June 25, the Rotary Club of Westfield installed new officers and directors who will serve from July 2019 to June 2020. The members thanked outgoing President, Clark Lagemann and his board for their great service over the past year. Clark shared how proud he is of all the accomplishments the club made this year including Project Hunger in which Rotarians were able to serve lunches and provide weekend backpacks of food to nutritionally challenged youth in our community. The club also gave out over $24,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations and close to $100,000 in scholarships to Westfield students. . Elizabeth ("Liz") Ensslin was welcomed as the new President for the upcoming year. Liz is the owner of The InkWell Printers and has been a longtime Rotarian. She is also an active in her church and in the community, an accomplished musician and a mother. She is off and running with a great agenda to build the club up even more over the next year.
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Westfield Rotary Selects New Officers
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Marc Millet
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2019-07-20 03:00:00Z |
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On June 11, 2019, the Rotary Club of Westfield honored 18 local students with a total of $99,000 in scholarships, in individual awards ranging from $2,000 to $15,000. The scholars were chosen based on criteria of academic excellence, financial need and commitment to community service in keeping with Rotary's motto of "Service Above Self." Rotary scholarship committee chair Carl Peer stated that "As we reviewed the records of this year's scholarship applicants and met with them in person, we were awed by the achievements of the fine young men and women of our community."
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Rotary Awards Scholarships to Local Students
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Marc Millet
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2019-07-13 03:00:00Z |
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Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school. After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school.
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Helping people with disabilities make their own music
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2015-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen. After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.
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Finding Safe Haven
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2015-05-01 00:00:00Z |
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Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free." The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.
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India celebrates three years without polio
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2014-02-26 00:00:00Z |
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