Today’s Rotary stands on 3 legs: its clubs, Rotary International (RI), and The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
1917: outgoing RI President Arch C. Klumph proposed setting up an "endowment fund for Rotary … for the purpose of doing good in the world." The Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, made the very first donation: $26.50!
1928: renamed The Rotary Foundation and had grown to more than $5000.
1929: TRF made its first gift: $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen which later grew into Easter Seals.
1947: When Paul Harris died, contributions poured into TRF, and the Foundation grew.
1947: First program - Fellowships for Advance Study (later Ambassadorial Scholarships).
1965-66: Three programs launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation (later called Matching Grants).
1978: Rotary introduced the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.
1985: The PolioPlus program was launched to eradicate polio worldwide.
1987-88: The first peace forums were held, leading to Rotary Peace Fellowships.
2013: New grant options enable Rotarians around the world to respond to the world’s greatest needs.
Since the first donation of $26.50 in 1917, TRF has invested more than $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable grants, programs and services that support RI’s transformative work.
October has been a busy month in Rotary, with the lead-up to World Polio Day—a day for raising awareness about polio vaccination, recognizing progress in eradication efforts, and renewing commitments to finish the job.
Over the past few weeks, Rotarians have received email communications and had access to social media filled with helpful resources, updates, and inspiring stories about what clubs, districts, zones, and Rotary International are doing to End Polio.
In District 7090, we celebrated World Polio Day with flag raisings, blue, yellow and purple illuminations, Pints for Polio, and a hike with Youth Exchange students.
Now, as we enter November—Rotary Foundation Month—it’s a time to emphasize the importance of and need for support of The Rotary Foundation.
But let’s not lose sight of polio. Forty years of hard work and extraordinary accomplishments are at stake. Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disease caused by the poliovirus. It can cause permanent paralysis or even death.In 1985, polio was crippling an estimated 350,000 children every year across 125 countries.
Since then, Rotarians have raised and contributed over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours. We’ve helped immunize more than 3 billion children. Because of these efforts, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide. We’ve saved nearly 20 million people from paralysis, and 1.5 million people who would otherwise have died are alive today.
We’re closer than ever to a polio-free world — but the last mile is so important!
Join Rotary leaders for an inspiring Zones 28 & 32 webinar, “Why the Last Mile Is So Important,” to hear the latest updates on our End Polio Now efforts and what’s being done to reach every last child.
🎤 Featured Speaker: Michael McGovern, RI PolioPlus Global Chair
🎙 Opening Remarks: Christine Etienne, Rotary International Director 2024–26, Zones 28 & 32
🗓 Monday, November 3, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM ET (US & Canada)
Hosted by the End Polio Now Coordinators for Zones 28 & 32, this conversation will highlight the incredible progress we’ve made — and the critical actions still needed to make history.
Together, we can finish the fight to #EndPolioNow. 💜🌍
Click HEREto register or scan QR code to join webinar.
Bring your questions!
Topic: End Polio Now: Mike McGovern & Chris Etienne
Join us for Rotary's Fight Against Polio: Global Progress and Updates from Pakistan 13 November 2025 | 1:00 EST time (UTC-5) Live on Zoom Polio remains endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, recent outbreaks in previously polio-free areas and detections of poliovirus in sewage across several European countries demonstrate that polio remains a threat to children everywhere. Fragile health systems and competing priorities continue to challenge eradication efforts, but Rotary and the Gates Foundation have renewed our long-standing partnership to fight polio with a joint commitment of US$450 million. Rotary leaders also recently visited Pakistan and met with government officials, who reaffirmed their commitment to eradication. Join us to hear the latest updates and learn how your support is helping make progress toward a polio-free world. Click HEREto register.
Lincoln Community Centre, 4361 Central Avenue, Beamsville, ON L3J 0N9 If you haven’t already, please commit to attending the D7090 Foundation Celebration and Recognition event on Saturday, November 15th in Lincoln, Ontario. Details are available on the District home page by clicking HERE.
Come and help celebrate the great work done by clubs in D7090.
This is a valuable opportunity for understanding grant qualification, and for networking on possible partnerships -- because you will get to brag about your initiatives with colleagues.
Clubs that are qualified have the opportunity to add to the money you are already providing to your local causes or explore that international project you want to launch.
This event is the only get together of Rotarians from across the District in the first half of this Rotary year and a great time to catch up with our network of friends, celebrate excellence, lean in to the initiatives we are championing, and experience the "Best of Friends" district in action!
Rotary and District Award will be presented.
A grant seminar will show you the ins-and-outs of putting together and applying for a district grant.
Remember: the district will match up to $2000 (raised by your club) for a project locally, regionally, or internationally.
World Interact Week is celebrated every year during the week of November 5th to commemorate the founding of the first Interact club in 1962.
Stand up and make a note at your club meeting this coming week!
Over 30 clubs in our District support an Interact club. Congratulations!
Most Interact clubs are within a school although a few are community Interact clubs and serve as one of the key starting points for further youth programs like RYLA or exchanges.
Please use the appropriate social media and the monthly newsletter space to celebrate these future leaders and promote youth service.
The District 7090 Interact page with all the details is HERE. If your Rotary club is interested in starting an Interact club, please contact David Berry at dberry@cogeco.ca or through the ClubRunner app. Consider listening to the youth advisory and leadership groups in your community to help our young folks identify needs and projects.
The RI related page and the Interact Handbook and other materials can be found HERE.
Rotary Exchange Students had a special weekend in Hamilton Ontario on October 24-26.
These “inbound” students are from around the world (Brazil, Australia, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, France, Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Spain, Italy, Finland, and Switzerland).
They are all being hosted by clubs in our District 7090.
This was the second time they had all met each other, and they experienced many autumn traditions including a Hamilton Tiger Cat Football game, pumpkin rolling, their own Halloween party, and a hike in the Dundas Valley Conservation Authority.
Special thanks to the many Rotarians who made the weekend possible - including the hosts who opened their homes and housed the students, to our drivers, chefs and so much more.
Special thanks to Ancaster AM, Hamilton Tonic, Hamilton, Hamilton AM, SOWNY e-club and Hamilton Community Rotaract for taking part in the activities.
Also special thanks to Elaine Richard of the St. Catharines South, PDG Frank Adamson of Fonthill and PDG Lisa Bishop of Norfolk Sunrise for helping to educate and create greater awareness among all our exchange students about Rotary’s fight to end Polio. The talk was impactful, and the hike was a blast.
Special thanks to Justin Bester - Brantford AM who helped quarterback the weekend and gives endless support as Youth Exchange committee chair to help this program thrive!
Now is the time to be recruiting to find students interested in our long-term and short-term exchange programs - so if your club seeks more information about this - please reach out to myself - Anne Bermingham (anne@2waconsulting.com).
This is one of the most important responsibilities of every Club President to maintain a connectionwith the District and Rotary International. During this meeting, we will:
Approve the district financial audit
Review and approve governing documents
Receive key updates on district and RI operations that affect local clubs and dues
If you are unable to attend, please appoint a proxy (President-Elect, President-Elect Designate, Secretary, another Board member or your Club's Assistant Governor).
An Annual General Meeting Package will be sent closer to the meeting date Yours In Rotary Service
Are you looking for better ways to share your club's stories?
Would you like to attract new members?
Does your community know what your club does locally?
📌We invite you to join us for a Public Image Huddle the 4th Monday of Each Month at 8:00 AM via Zoom.
This informal session is open to anyone interested in Public Image, whether you’re Club President or PI/PR Chair, a Committee Member, a "Newsletter Rep" or just a Rotarian looking for better ways to share your Rotary story - JOIN US!
Join us for an inspiring session covering Rotary’s story, values, and impact — including the Avenues of Service, Areas of Focus, and the Four-Way Test.
Discover what it means to belong and explore ways to get involved. This special program is open to all Rotary and Rotaract members — whether you're new or just want a refresher. Choose your session:
Wednesday, January 21st — 7:30 PM EST Thursday, April 23rd — 7:30 PM EST
October has been a busy month in Rotary, with the lead-up to World Polio Day—a day for raising awareness about polio vaccination, recognizing progress in eradication efforts, and renewing commitments to finish the job.
Over the past few weeks, Rotarians have received email communications and had access to social media filled with helpful resources, updates, and inspiring stories about what clubs, districts, zones, and Rotary International are doing to End Polio.
In District 7090, we celebrated World Polio Day with flag raisings, blue, yellow and purple illuminations, Pints for Polio, and a hike with Youth Exchange students.
Now, as we enter November—Rotary Foundation Month—it’s a time to emphasize the importance of and need for support of The Rotary Foundation.
But let’s not lose sight of polio. Forty years of hard work and extraordinary accomplishments are at stake. Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disease caused by the poliovirus. It can cause permanent paralysis or even death.In 1985, polio was crippling an estimated 350,000 children every year across 125 countries.
Since then, Rotarians have raised and contributed over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours. We’ve helped immunize more than 3 billion children. Because of these efforts, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide. We’ve saved nearly 20 million people from paralysis, and 1.5 million people who would otherwise have died are alive today.
🏃♀️ Trick or Trot 5K – Running Through the Rain for a Great Cause!
Held October 25, 2025
Neither rain nor chilly fall weather could dampen the spirits of participants in this year’s Trick or Trot 5K, held on Saturday, October 25. Runners, walkers, and volunteers came together in true Rotary fashion to support a great cause and enjoy a morning of fitness and community.
This year marked an important milestone—the first time the Trick or Trot course was officially certified, making it a recognized race for competitive runners. Despite the wet conditions, enthusiasm remained high thanks to the many course “scarers” who kept participants motivated and entertained along the route with Halloween spirit and creativity.
Adding to the fun, children joined in the Kids Fun Run, bringing smiles and laughter that brightened even the rainiest moments. Their energy and excitement reminded everyone that the day was about more than just miles—it was about community, family, and giving back.
Donations were made at the event in support of Eagle Star Housing, an organization dedicated to providing safe and supportive housing for veterans in need. Rotary is proud to stand alongside Eagle Star in helping those who have served our nation.
For those eager to see their times or celebrate their accomplishments, full race results can be found online at: 🔗 Trick or Trot 2025 Results
A heartfelt thank you to all who made the event possible—our sponsors, volunteers, and the many runners who showed incredible spirit despite the weather. Together, we made this year’s Trick or Trot one to remember!
Brantford Sunrise, supported by a 7090 District grant of $2,000 US, has donated $6,000 toward the purchase of a commercial double convection oven for the Brantford Blessing Centre. Representative Jennifer Barker is seen accepting the cheque from Club President Susan Brown, and Sunrise Grant Committee Chair Glen Christensen.
The Brantford Blessing Centre has become a vital resource to our community. In an initiative started more than 40 years ago, several local churches began serving weekly lunches to the hungry. They now serve dinner 7 nights a week, averaging 50,000 meals a year.
The Centre relies entirely on the generous donations of funds, food, and volunteers from churches, organizations, businesses, and community members to provide these meals. Brantford Sunrise is proud to support these community-building initiatives.
As always, Buffalo Sunrise members have been busy with hearing interesting presenters such as Katie Campos, Executive Director of the Ralph Wilson Park Conservancy. Katie gave a very interesting and thorough description of the many facets of the emerging Ralph Wilson Park. She stressed the community participation in design of the park, talked about the architecturally significant pedestrian bridge over the I-190 – the first since the Peace Bridge – 100 years old now.
Several club members enjoyed a wonderful social evening at the home of Dr. Randy and Jennifer Carlson.
A final cleanup of the pollinator garden and trash pickup will take place at the end of October.
Once again Josling Farms in Carlisle has permitted members of our club and friends of the club to glean its fields so that produce can be donated to various organizations dealing with food insecurity. Twenty -two club members, family, friends of Rotary, Dundas Lions Club members and some of our community garden members took part. We were able to gather 66 bushels of eggplants, tomatoes, peppers and onions as well as 860 head of cabbage.
The total value of the produce based on the advertised price at the farm is $7087.50.
The produce was distributed within a week to the Salvation Army, Hamilton Jewish Family Services and Ancaster Community Services food banks. As well, the YWCA women’s shelters, St. Matthews House, Neighbour 2 Neighbour, Good Shepherd, Indwell, St. Mark’s Church, Out of the Cold and Hamilton Permaculture (the HUB and other needy groups).
Thank you to owner Craig Josling for his continued good will, letting us glean for the past several years.
Randy Abel from the Dundas Lions Club loads some of the over 800 cabbages that members cut.
October 4: Over several weeks of collecting used clothing, we had a good response and gathered excellent clothing for all ages… a lot with price tags still attached!
We raised some funding for Food4Kids. Although there was not a big turnout, we raised a few dollars, and learned a lot, for our next attempt.
October 25: Our club participated in a Scarecrow Walk, put on by Waterdown BIA, giving an early Trick or Treat day to children in the community. It was a successful event, there was lots of excitement, and over 600 treats were given out (candies, chips, and dog biscuits, courtesy of our club) to excited costumed participants of all ages, and… dogs! This was a good opportunity to promote our early morning Club.
October 25 (same day!): Our Club held a fund raiser: “A NIGHT WITH ELVIS “. Once again, a night of entertainment for local residents. No results yet on the financial outcome, but a great time was had by all.
We have a special evening planned for November 6 at the Hamilton Yacht Club, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Flamborough AM: a small Club… but Strong and Mighty!
The Rotary Club of Flamborough AM will be hosting Breakfast with Santa in support of Food4Kids Hamilton.
Join us on November 22 at 8:00am - 11:30am at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551 (Waterdown Legion) for a morning of festive fun and a delicious pancake breakfast.
Santa will be making a special visit to take pictures with all the good boys and girls (both young and old).
In support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551 (Waterdown Legion) the Rotary Club of Flamborough AM had six posts installed to display banners of local veterans. The project was completed earlier in the summer and is now being used in its first Remembrance Day display. The banners flank the cenotaph, welcoming all who come to pay their respects. Banners will also be displayed on other historically significant dates throughout the year.
The Fort Erie club had a busy October. The early part of the month was used to welcome over 100 cyclists from the USA clubs to help celebrate the CanAm Freedom Ride 2025. Cyclists re-energized with drinks and snacks and then listened to 4 speakers talk about the history of the freedom of slavery and the need for continued friendships among both nations.
The 2nd half of October was used to educate and promote Disease Eradication, particularly Polio.
The authorities of the Peace Bridge connecting Fort Erie to Buffalo were once again reminded to light the bridge purple on Oct. 24th. And on Oct. 25th, our club had its 5th annual RotZi event, where about a dozen drama students, made-up as Zombies, put on little themed acts. Our canopy area gave out candy for the Halloween season as well as hand out over 250 RotZi Graphic comic books. (RotZi is short for Rotary Polio Zombi Invasion). This 4th anniversary issue allowed us to generate over $2000 in fundraising by featuring 32 ads. In addition, the graphic book featured a full-page text document on Polio and Art Students comic strips. We involve the students to hopefully educate them on Rotary and remind them that vaccines prevent diseases. The text document on Polio hopefully reinforces parents' knowledge on the need for vaccines. We want Fort Erie to avoid' being one of the areas that are seeing measles re-emerge because of the belief that vaccines do not work.
Hank Kammerer’s family, his Rotary colleagues, his Neighbors foundation colleagues, and town officials honored Hank for his 52 years of service by dedicating a bench in his honor on October 6.
The bench flanks the town Rotary gazebo and commemorates his many years of service to the Rotary Club of Grand Island as president, executive secretary, foundation chair and director. Town councilman Christian Bahleda read a proclamation signed by the town board and Supervisor in honor of his service to Grand Island and many places overseas.
The Rotary Club of Grand Island, along with volunteers from M&T bank, General Motors, the high school and middle school Interact club, and Stephanie Pritchard and her daughter, cleaned the Beaver Island parkway trail October 25.
Stephanie is the awesome advisor for the Kaegebein Early Act club.
Thanks to all who helped, and hopefully we can make our residents more aware of the need to keep a trash bag in their car to empty when they get back home.
The Greater Jamestown AM club held our 32nd annual Football Party fundraiser on October 26, 2025, with over 150 people attending and celebrating a Bills win!
This event honors the memory of two members, Bill Briggs and Tim Grace, who were integral to its early success.
The party takes place at Ellicottville Brewing on Chautauqua during a Buffalo Bills away game.
Club members donate turkeys for a roasted turkey dinner, along with snacks and desserts, and the venue provides the rest.
Funds are raised through ticket sales, 50/50’s and squares at the event, and a huge basket raffle!
Chautauqua County is beautiful in October! Anyone interested in attending next year’s event may contact president-elect Lisa Schmidtfrerick Miller at lschmidtfrerick@gmail.com
The Rotary Club of Hamburg hosted speakers from "UB Heals" at its Oct.21 meeting and supported the initiative with a donation of four large bags of heavy winter socks and one bag packed with toothbrushes to aid the vulnerable population of unhoused Western New Yorkers the organization serves. Maya Zalewski, program manager and David Cazares, assistant program manager provided information about UB Heals, a street medicine outreach initiative of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University at Buffalo. Zalewski and Cazares are medical students who also actively participate with other members of the team in weekly rounds at shelters and outdoors locations to provide medical attention to men, women and children. They also distribute clothing and hygiene supplies while treating patients. The organization accepts donations from the public such as T-shirts, socks, sweatshirts, jeans, underwear, hats, gloves and seasonal jackets. To learn more about UB Heals, visit https://www.ubheals.org. Zalewski and Cazares are pictured above at Uncle Joe’s Diner in Hamburg where the Rotary Club meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Rotary Club of Hamburg kicks off Warm the Children, seeks volunteer shoppers, support!
Each fall, the Rotary Club of Hamburg is proud to sponsor “Warm the Children”, a program which assists families in need throughout the Southtowns, before the cold winter sets in. “Most of us know how to handle brutal Western New York winter weather,” says Elizabeth Angelbeck, coordinator of Warm the Children for Rotary Club of Hamburg. “For many families, soaring heating costs, as well as the high cost of groceries and rent prevent them from being able to purchase new, warm winter clothing for their youngsters.”
Last year, Warm the Children provided a record 563 children with new, winter clothes.
One hundred percent of all contributions go toward the purchase of new clothing for children in need and is fully tax-deductible. All administrative costs are absorbed by Rotary, while Club members are responsible for program coordination, with assistance from NBT Bank and community volunteers, who meet families at Walmart in Hamburg to select their clothing.
The Rotary Club of Hamburg last month dedicated the framed original logo artwork of the Warm the Children national program, created by famed presidential portrait artist, Herbert Abrams, whose paintings of George and Barbara Bush and Jimmy Carter hang in the White House. The artwork was donated to the Hamburg Rotary by Warm the Children founder, Mack Stewart, just prior to his death last February.
Today’s celebration is a special one — a tribute slightly delayed, but no less heartfelt. Earlier this year, our club honoured Larry Paikin with a Paul Harris Fellowship Plus 4, but Larry was unable to attend. He was, fittingly, at another ceremony — honouring his son, Steve Paikin, upon Steve’s retirement from TVO and The Agenda. In true Paikin fashion, service and family came first. Today is not an afterthought — it is our proper moment to honour Larry, in his presence, and in his Rotary home.
It’s the year 1956: Elvis Presley was shaking up the airwaves with Heartbreak Hotel, the Suez Crisis was challenging world diplomacy, and the Trans-Canada Highway was still being laid across our nation — and Larry Paikin joined the Rotary Club of Hamilton. While fashions, music, and skylines have shifted dramatically over the decades, one thing has remained constant: Larry’s steadfast commitment to Service Above Self.
A Paul Harris Fellowship is among Rotary’s highest honours. It does not recognise a single act, but a lifetime marked by goodwill, generosity, and quiet leadership. Paul Harris believed Rotary should be “friendship in action.” Larry has lived those words — not through grand speeches, but through steady presence, compassion, and constancy of purpose.
On October 1, at the morning meeting of Hamilton AM Rotary, author Michelle Stark spoke about the sad tale she and husband Tim experienced coping with the significant health problems of her two pure-bred dogs – a breed called “Silken Windhound”.
Broken is a story of unbridled love of pets, frustrated by their illness and massive personal and financial costs. This included 10 trips to a highly specialized surgeon in West Virginia, sometimes in the terrible weather US I-90 is known for.
Michelle gave up a very successful legal position because her dogs needed her at home due to continual leg breaks. She is convinced that the practice of “in-breeding”, trying to keep the blood line pure, has reduced the genetic diversity needed to maintain health and prevent traumatic injury such as her dogs, Maple and Raisa experienced in their short lives.
Michelle was ostracized by the breed community for her work in identifying the significant extent of the “leg break” issue in Silken Windhounds. She is now fully retired from the law, living with Tim on a farm in the Dundas area, caring to two “regular” dogs, tapping maple trees for syrup, hosting bee hives and chasing chickens in the yard.
Her book is intense and from the heart. Dog lovers who really care will be amazed by her story, saddened by Raisa’s sad demise and will admire her tenacity and love of her pets.
At the October 8 meeting of the Rotary Club of Hamilton AM, the guest speaker was Shannon Kyles.
From Edwardian homes with servants' quarters to the wartime housing of the 1940s, to the single-family home boom of the 1950s and '60s, our speaker, Shannon Kyles, says the style of housing tells a story of the society that built it.
Kyles began her career working with computers and taught the first CAD (Computer-aided Design) course in Canada, followed by work in mechanical engineering and came back to architecture as a professor, teaching architecture courses at Mohawk College.
She then bought and restored a farmhouse in Hamilton and began noticing that people in the community were buying beautiful, old houses and tearing them down or ruining them. “After a while, I realized they were doing that because they didn’t know any better,” Kyles relayed. “In 1998, I was teaching the history of architecture, and nobody had any courses on Ontario architecture, so I started one. Mine is still the only course, per se.
Join us for The Wine Elimination Draw, where being the last ticket drawn makes you the sole survivor and your team the champions!
Ticket: $30 + Eventbrite fee.
Join as a team of 5 or we will team you up with four lucky players. Sit back and watch as we eliminate players one by one. As long as one of the five team members is still alive, you still have a chance to win.
It's like the “Survivor” show, but with wine as the reward!
Once all the tickets are sold we will arrange teams of 5. You will receive an email with a golden ticket number including links and instructions to join the party on Zoom or Facebook.
On November 21st, we will go live on Zoom and Facebook for everyone to watch.
Each round, a ticket number will be eliminated until we have our final winner.
Will it be you?
10 Bottles of wine to the first team eliminated (consolation prize).
25 Bottles of wine for the fourth to last team eliminated (4th Place)
50 Bottles of wine for 3rd Place
60 Bottles of wine for 2nd Place
75 Bottles of wine will go to the last team standing (1st Place)
Don't miss out on the chance to win fantastic wines chosen from our wine expert!
Members of the Jamestown Rotary Club were fortunate to hear from several notable guests during the club’s weekly meeting at the end of September, as well as throughout the month of October.
These guests included the President and CEO of Hart Hotels, the Governor of Rotary District 7090, a long-time Rotarian and local business owner with a passion for local history, and another local Rotary Club member who also serves as the head of the United Way of Chautauqua County, which helps thousands of people across the region, including here in Jamestown.
The Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY is helping to promote literacy by placing donated books in local laundromats. The Laundromat Literacy Project has become a big hit with the community!
Tired and bored with being in the laundromat watching things go round and round? Why not grab a free book, sit down, and spend some time reading.
Laundromat Literacy, a pilot project begun by the Rotary Club of Jamestown, New York just four years ago, is located in three different city laundromats. To date, more than 1800 books have been gifted to people who are customers at the local laundromats and who are looking for something better to do than scrolling their phones or watching the blue jeans go round and round in the dryer.
One of the oldest and most active Rotary Clubs in America is located right here in Jamestown. The Jamestown club has had a hand in many local projects over the years including assisting with programs at Boys and Girls Club, highway cleanup along I-86, installation of the "Welcome to Jamestown City" sign on North Main Street, donations to the homeless women's shelter, and working with the National Comedy Center, just to name a few.
The club has also remained active in promoting and developing literacy in the city. During the school year and also throughout summer, local Rotarians volunteer at many of the local elementary and junior high schools to sit side by side with students and read books, while also talking about the books to ensure those students value the special world that can only come from reading. It also helps the students realize the independence and knowledge that comes from the reading experience, which might become a lost art if not nurtured properly.
PHOTO: Rotary Club of Jamestown literacy committee members David Troxell and Patricia Graves are shown near the bookshelf at the Third Street laundromat, holding books donated as part of the Laundromat Literacy Project.
As we approach the festive season, we are reminded of the magic that the holidays can bring—the twinkle of lights, sparkling decorations, and the sense of wonder that fills the air. This year, the Rotary Club of LeRoy is joining with the Rotary Club of Bloomfield in District 7120, as both clubs support The Joy Project, an inspiring initiative designed to rekindle the spirit of Christmas and create cherished traditions for today's families.
The Joy Project, housed at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1 East Main St, LeRoy, is a recreation of dazzling department store displays, complete with electric trains and animated Christmas figures. Open to the public weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas: Saturdays: 10:00-4:00 and Sundays: 12:00- 4:00.
Through collaborative efforts, the Rotary Club of LeRoy and The Joy Project are bringing generations together to share laughter, joy, and a renewed sense of belonging.
This year's highlight is a unique stage radio show, "Her Christmas Carol," with two performances scheduled for Saturday, December 13th at 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
On the first two weekends of October, the Proudly Bi-National Lewiston/NOTL Rotary put on a Benefit production of the Musical NUNSENSE.
Rotarian (and veteran Director) Frank Scelsa, joined by locally well-known performers, musicians, and artisans, contributed their talents gratis to produce, stage, choreograph, costume, light, manage sound and perform.
Other Rotarians and volunteers solicited sponsors, arraigned catering, tended bar, produced and distributed publicity, managed seating and ticketing and provided stage crew and maintenance.
The Messiah Lutheran Church graciously provided a wheelchair accessible venue without charge.
Rotary Club of Lincoln marked historic progress toward a polio free world, while urging community support to end the paralyzing disease.
This event was among thousands to be held by Rotary across the globe on World Polio Day.
Joined by the Mayor, some councilors and staff raised the " END POLIO NOW" flag at Town of Lincoln, Ontario.
The flag was raised in honour of World Polio Day Oct 24.
The flag will be flown for two weeks to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio - a vaccine preventable disease that Rotarians around the world are striving to eradicate from the world.
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988 the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9%.
What a fantastic evening of fellowship, laughter, and purpose! Pints for Polio brought together members from Rotary Clubs across the Niagara District for an evening filled with community spirit and fun — all in support of Rotary’s global mission to eradicate polio.
Hosted at Kame & Kettle Beer Worksin Fonthill and organized through the Rotary BREW Fellowship (Beers Rotarians Enjoy Worldwide), the event was a perfect mix of good friends, good beer, and goodwill. Guests enjoyed great conversation, lighthearted games, and the chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones — including a few potential future Rotarians!
The atmosphere was filled with teamwork and determination as Rotarians came together to help eradicate a disease, all while enjoying the fellowship and fun that make Rotary events so special. District leaders and club members alike joined forces to raise awareness and funds for End Polio Now, turning one evening of camaraderie into lasting global impact.
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, approximately 400 children will receive the polio vaccine — giving them the gift of a healthy, polio-free future. That’s the power of Rotary in action: fellowship with a purpose.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, donated, or helped make the night possible. Together, we are one pint closer to a polio-free world!
Gary Chard, Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore; member of BREW Fellowship
"This 2025 World Polio Month, we all celebrate the fact that because of the decades-long commitment of Rotarians, health workers, and governments, millions of people who would otherwise have been paralyzed are walking today," said Mary Mercato, Co-Pres of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS). "However, as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. We cannot stop now."
To mark the occasion, members of the RCNS were joined by County representatives Heidy VanDyk and Laiken Castles in a ceremonial flag raising at the Norfolk County offices – all to promote the raising of community funds and awareness. Heidy added her own remarks concerning the value of the RCNS in the Norfolk community as well as the importance of the ‘End Polio Now’ program over the years. RCNS member Lisa Bishop provided program context and appreciation to the County for their support. She noted that every dollar raised by Rotary is currently matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, effectively tripling the impact of each donation. Funds support immunizations, surveillance, and operations needed to reach every-last child in high-risk areas.
All members and friends of Rotary are encouraged to support the ‘End Polio Now’ campaign by attending our website (www.norfolksunrise.org) to donate to this fundraising program. “We are this close to making history by eradicating this human disease”, Co-Pres Mary added. "We invite everyone in Norfolk County to stand with us and help ensure no child ever again suffers from this devastating disease."
PHOTO (L to R): Wolf Lindemann, Ross Gowan, Mary Mercato, Laiken Castles, Pam Shantz, Heidy VanDyk, Lisa Bishop
The Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore held its annual Fall Food Drive in support of Food4Kids at Sobey's Glendale Ave in St. Catharines on Friday Sept 26 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. this year.
Approximately $3600.00 in cash and food donations were collected for Food4Kids.
Almost 20 Rotarian volunteers were at the grocery store to greet customers and encourage donations as well as helping sort and unpack at Food4Kids.
This included drivers Gary and Sandi and Norm!
Thanks to Marlene, Amy and Trish for organizing this tremendous effort.
As the world commemorates *World Polio Day* each October 24, Pakistan stands at a defining moment in global health history. Decades of unrelenting effort, courage, and partnership have brought humanity 99 percent closer to eradicating a virus that once paralyzed more than 350,000 children every year across 125 countries. Today, only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic. Thanks to Rotary’s leadership and the dedication of Pakistan’s National PolioPlus Committee under *Aziz Memon,* the finish line is within sight. But as Memon reminds us, victory over polio is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of a new one. “Health is not just the absence of disease,” he says. “It is the presence of nourishment, safety, and opportunity.”
*Rotary’s campaign to eradicate polio* is one of the greatest humanitarian achievements in modern history. Since launching the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, Rotary and its partners — UNICEF, WHO, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation — have contributed more than US$3 billion and mobilized over one million volunteers, reaching even the most remote corners of Pakistan. Frontline health workers have risked their lives, trekking across deserts and mountains, carrying vaccine vials through conflict zones and floods. Their resilience has made Pakistan a global symbol of courage in public health.
Today, over 339,000 health workers go door to door across the country to ensure that every child under five receives two life-saving drops.
PHOTO: Najeeb Syed demonstrating the Purple Pinky.
Local Rotarians took a stroll down memory lane this week with former Youth Exchange student Cathy Sanders.
Now a retired family doctor in Adelaide, Australia, Sanders was hosted by the Rotary Club of Waterdown (RCW) in 1975. To mark the 50th anniversary of her exchange year, she attended a meeting of the club on Oct. 6, where she spoke about her experiences and presented mementos from the Unley Rotary Club.
“It was in 1974, I was 16 and in my last year in high school and I was curious about the world,” Sanders told Waterdown club members. “I wanted to experience life in a community, and I think my parents thought that a community like Rotary provided a safety net that they would be comfortable with, as opposed to just saying goodbye at the airport and having no idea of quite where I was going to be.” Sanders’s journey started with orientation with other South Australian students going on exchanges, where they were prepared to represent their local Rotary club, their district and country.
PHOTOS:
Left: Rotary club of Waterdown President Kevin Smoke (right) welcomes new member Kelechi (Keley) Akwiwu at the Sept. 29 regular meeting.
Right: Current Waterdown Rotary exchange student Giogio Pezzotti poses with 1975 exchange student Cathy Sanders at the club's Oct. 6 meeting.
The Rotary Club of Welland held its 9th Annual Bocce Social on Wednesday October 1st at Casa Dante.
Sixty-seven (!) Rotarians, family, and friends came together to socialize and have fun.
We welcomed three teams from the Rotary Club of Grimsby, two from the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, one each from YMCA of Niagara and B&D CPAs.
A special guest was Rotary Exchange Student Yuuka Kubota from Japan, being hosted by 3 St. Catharines Rotary Clubs: Noon, Lakeshore & South.
We can’t forget our host, Casa Dante.
Grimsby Rotarian Jim Noordermeer won the 50/50 draw.
The tournament winners taking home the coveted trophy were from the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South: Robert Cervoni, Patti Cervoni, Deb Carneau and John Teibert.
PHOTO 1 (L to R): Robert Cervoni, Patty Cervoni, John Teibert and Deb Garneau
Please join us as we gather to honour and celebrate the life of Fred “Freddie” Farnham. This special event will be held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, located at 77 Division Street in Welland.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
Location: Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall – 77 Division Street, Welland (park at rear in City Market Square Parking Lot)
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
We welcome family, friends, and members of the community to come together, share memories, and celebrate Freddie’s remarkable life.
The Rotary Club of Formosa Happiness, New Taipei City, Taiwan, was formed with an aim to create happiness and lifelong friendships thorugh community service.
= 
= Learning
Today’s Rotary stands on 3 legs: its clubs, Rotary International (RI), and The Rotary Foundation (TRF)
We’re closer than ever to a polio-free world — but the last mile is so important!
Join us for Rotary's Fight Against Polio: Global Progress and Updates from Pakistan
World Interact Week is celebrated every year during the week of November 5th to commemorate the founding of the first Interact club in 1962.
These “inbound” students are from around the world (Brazil, Australia, Germany, Italy, Taiwan, France, Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Japan, Spain, Italy, Finland, and Switzerland).
Are you looking for better ways to share your club's stories?
Join us for an inspiring session covering Rotary’s story, values, and impact — including the Avenues of Service, Areas of Focus, and the Four-Way Test. 
🚘 Win a 2026 Corvette OR $60,000 Cash! 💰
🏃♀️ Trick or Trot 5K – Running Through the Rain for a Great Cause!
Brantford Sunrise, supported by a 7090 District grant of $2,000 US, has donated $6,000 toward the purchase of a commercial double convection oven for the 
Extra, Extra! Pizza, Pizza! 
Buffalo Sunrise Reporting!
Once again 
The Rotary Club of Flamborough AM will be hosting Breakfast with Santa in support of Food4Kids Hamilton.
In support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551 (Waterdown Legion) the Rotary Club of Flamborough AM had six posts installed to display banners of local veterans. The project was completed earlier in the summer and is now being used in its first Remembrance Day display. The banners flank the cenotaph, welcoming all who come to pay their respects. Banners will also be displayed on other historically significant dates throughout the year.
The Fort Erie club had a busy October. The early part of the month was used to welcome over 100 cyclists from the USA clubs to help celebrate the CanAm Freedom Ride 2025. Cyclists re-energized with drinks and snacks and then listened to 4 speakers talk about the history of the freedom of slavery and the need for continued friendships among both nations.
The Rotary Club of Grand Island, along with volunteers from M&T bank, General Motors, the high school and middle school Interact club, and Stephanie Pritchard and her daughter, cleaned the Beaver Island parkway trail October 25.
The Greater Jamestown AM club held our 32nd annual Football Party fundraiser on October 26, 2025, with over 150 people attending and celebrating a Bills win! 
The Rotary Club of Hamburg hosted speakers from "
Today’s celebration is a special one — a tribute slightly delayed, but no less heartfelt. Earlier this year, our club honoured Larry Paikin with a Paul Harris Fellowship Plus 4, but Larry was unable to attend. He was, fittingly, at another ceremony — honouring his son, Steve Paikin, upon Steve’s retirement from TVO and The Agenda. In true Paikin fashion, service and family came first. Today is not an afterthought — it is our proper moment to honour Larry, in his presence, and in his Rotary home.
“
The 
Story of Ontario Architecture – Shannon Kyles
Here we draw again!
Don't miss out on the chance to win fantastic wines chosen from our wine expert!
The Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY is helping to promote literacy by placing donated books in local laundromats. The Laundromat Literacy Project has become a big hit with the community!
As we approach the festive season, we are reminded of the magic that the holidays can bring—the twinkle of lights, sparkling decorations, and the sense of wonder that fills the air. This year, the Rotary Club of LeRoy is joining with the Rotary Club of Bloomfield in District 7120, as both clubs support 
On the first two weekends of October, the Proudly Bi-National Lewiston/NOTL Rotary put on a Benefit production of the Musical NUNSENSE.
Rotary Club of Lincoln marked historic progress toward a polio free world, while urging community support to end the paralyzing disease.
What a fantastic evening of fellowship, laughter, and purpose! Pints for Polio brought together members from Rotary Clubs across the Niagara District for an evening filled with community spirit and fun — all in support of Rotary’s global mission to eradicate polio.
"This 2025 World Polio Month, we all celebrate the fact that because of the decades-long commitment of Rotarians, health workers, and governments, millions of people who would otherwise have been paralyzed are walking today," said Mary Mercato, Co-Pres of the Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS). "However, as long as polio exists anywhere, it remains a threat everywhere. We cannot stop now." 
NOTL is proud to present the 26th Annual "Merry & Bright Christmas Tour", December 5 and 6: one of the region’s most beloved seasonal traditions.
Our "Adopt A Road" team was out this week collecting garbage along our assigned route.
Annual Food Drive at Sobey's Nets $3600!
Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore
As the world commemorates *World Polio Day* each October 24, Pakistan stands at a defining moment in global health history. Decades of unrelenting effort, courage, and partnership have brought humanity 99 percent closer to eradicating a virus that once paralyzed more than 350,000 children every year across 125 countries. Today, only Pakistan and Afghanistan remain endemic. Thanks to Rotary’s leadership and the dedication of Pakistan’s National PolioPlus Committee under *Aziz Memon,* the finish line is within sight. But as Memon reminds us, victory over polio is not the end of the story — it is the beginning of a new one. “Health is not just the absence of disease,” he says. “It is the presence of nourishment, safety, and opportunity.”
Local Rotarians took a stroll down memory lane this week with former Youth Exchange student Cathy Sanders.
The Rotary Club of Welland held its 9th Annual Bocce Social on Wednesday October 1st at 
Please join us as we gather to honour and celebrate the life of Fred “Freddie” Farnham. This special event will be held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, located at 77 Division Street in Welland.
On Friday October 17th, the West Seneca Rotary Club attended and handed out treats at the West Seneca Truck 'n Treat Event.
