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Club Information

Welcome to The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights

Berkeley Heights

Service Above Self

The Second and Fourth Wednesdays at 12:15pm
Chimney Rock Inn
342 Valley Road
Gillette, NJ 07933
United States of America

Phone:
(908) 803-5747
Fax:
(908) 464-1133
Email:
berkeleyheightsrotaryclub@gmail.com
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Recent Stories
Berkeley Heights Rotary Hosting Virtual Silent Auction
 
Berkeley Heights Residents;
 
We hope this message finds you and your family in good health and spirits during this challenging period. The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights has joined the fight to assist our local businesses who are struggling financially.  We value their businesses and contributions to our community and want to help.  Later this month, the Rotary Club will be sponsoring a “Virtual” Silent Auction to raise more money for the Berkeley Heights Business Aid Program.  These funds will be used to help businesses with their rent and other expenses.
 
We are asking you for your help during this time to donate a restaurant or local business gift certificate, your season tickets to future sporting or cultural event, a foursome for a round of golf, or any other appropriate gift of value.  These donations will be packaged with other virtual silent auction prizes used to help raise money for these grants.  

If you are interested in helping,  please email your specific donation offering to: bhbusinessandcivic@gmail.com.  Attention Rotary Club Virtual Silent Auction.  Send emails no later than Friday, May 15, 2020.

 
Berkeley Heights Rotary Feeds the Frontline Heroes
The first week of May was a productive and rewarding week for the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights.  The Club utilized a $1,000 grant from Rotary International to provide meals to the frontline healthcare workers at Overlook Hospital in Summit, Trinitas Medical Center in Elizabeth and the Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights.  Rotary Club Treasurer, Jim Kwaan delivered pizzas from Domino's Pizza to Overlook Hospital and Rotary Club President, Jim Ramentol delivered meals from Cousin's Deli to the Trinitas Medical Center. and the Station House Cafe to Summit Medical Group.  The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights is grateful for the frontline healthcare workers and of being able to help the Berkeley Heights Business Community.
 
          
 
The Good Work Goes On!

 

Although the current pandemic is keeping everyone sheltered in place the work of Rotary goes on.  Meals for first responders and checking on our seniors are projects we can take on while sheltered.  Our weekly meetings continue online which allows us to continue our work further.  If you are interested in becoming a member of our vibrant and hard working club please reach out.  We are always looking for good new members that will assist in furthering our cause of doing good deeds in our community.  Stay safe!
 
 
Meetings Cancelled Until Further Notice
 
 
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights are cancelled until further notice due to the Coronavirus.
Please follow all governmental and municipal guidelines in order to keep everyone safe.
 
 
 
We Remember Bob McManus
The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights is sad to announce the passing of long time member and past president, Bob McManus.  Bob has been a fixture in Berkeley Heights for many years and active until recently.  Bob will be greatly missed by his friends in the Rotary Club.  Information for Bob's services can be found here.
 
Help Us Eradicate Polio

Rotary and the Gates Foundation extend funding match for polio eradication

 

Rotary and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on 22 January that their long-term fundraising partnership, which generates up to $150 million annually for polio eradication, will continue. Under the agreement, Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year over the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation.

In a video address at the 2020 Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, Bill Gates told incoming district governors that the partnership with Rotary needs to continue.

“The Gates Foundation’s longstanding partnership with Rotary has been vital to fighting polio,” Gates said. “That’s why we’re extending our funding match, so every dollar that Rotary raises is met with two more.”

He added, “I believe that together, we can make eradication a reality.”

The funding will support polio eradication efforts such as disease surveillance, technical assistance, and operational support for immunization activities.

The partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, and Rotarians have given countless volunteer hours to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.

Be a part of the fight to end polio and have your donation matched 2-to-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Visit endpolio.org to learn more and donate.

 
 
 
Help the Veterans This Holiday Season
Posted on Dec 02, 2019
 
This holiday season please consider making this year much brighter for a Veteran at Lyons Hospital.  The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights is collecting adult coloring books, crossword puzzle books, word find books, Suduko puzzle books, sketch pads, colored construction paper, colored markers and colored pencils, crayons and ultra-find point black markers. 
 
New items can be dropped off through December 5th at:
 
The Berkeley Heights Public Library - 110 Roosevelt Blvd.
The Berkeley Heights YMCA - 550 Springfield Avenue
 
 
Any questions please feel free to contact Tiffany Escott 908-723-0573.  Thank you in advance for making a Veterans holidays a little more special.
 
 
Rotary and the BH Senior Buddies Rake Leaves
Posted on Nov 23, 2019

A Job Well Done

 
On Saturday, November 23 the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club and the BH Senior Buddies broke out the rakes, strained muscles and huffed and puffed and raked leaves for a local resident in need of a little assistance.  Thankfully, everyone survived to do more good deeds another day!!
 
 
Another Successful Pancake Breakfast
Posted on Nov 22, 2019
On Saturday, November 2 the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club ran another successful Pancake Breakfast at Mt. Carmel Hall.  The Rotary Club was assisted by local Boy Scout Troops.  The Rotary Club is extremely grateful for all of the support and allowing  us to continue doing good deeds in Berkeley Heights.
 
 
Executive Functioning for High School Students
Posted on Nov 14, 2019
On Thursday, November 21, Private Prep will be presenting "Executive Functioning for High School Students" at the Berkeley Heights VFW Hall, 15 Locust Avenue in Berkeley Heights.  Private Prep, a premier academic support company, that has developed a successful Executive Functioning Program that gives students tools for organization, time management, and self-regulation, enabling students to stay on track and learn to thrive—in the classroom and throughout life.  This free program will begin at 7:00 PM with light refreshments. Pizza & soft drinks & water; program will start at 7:30 and end at 8:30. Both Parents and students are invited. 
 
Topics to be discussed:
 
Organizational systems and time management
Metacognition, working memory, and mental flexibility
Study strategies, problem-solving and note taking
Goal-directed, persistence, sustained attention, and task initiation
Response inhibition and emotional control
 
To register for the program either email Jim Ramentol at j.ramentol@graarchitects.com or at the Registration Page
 
Berkeley Heights Police Visit Rotary
Posted on Oct 27, 2019
On Wednesday, October 23 the Berkeley Heights Police paid a visit to the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club lunch meeting at the Chimney Rock Inn.  Chief John DiPasquale, Sergent Ed Gaffney and Lt. Jason Massimino gave a very interesting presentation on a variety of topics including modern policing, legal and illegal drug use and keeping your property secured with the use of Ring Doorbells, etc.  A sincere thank you to our local police department.  We learned lots!!
 
A Night with the Somerset Patriots
Posted on Aug 29, 2019
On Tuesday, August 27 both the Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains Rotary Clubs attended the Somerset Patriots baseball game at Somerset Park in Bridgewater.  It was a perfect evening for baseball!  The icing on the cake was the Patriots came from behind to win the game 7-1.  A fine time was had by all....
JOIN IN THE FUN!! ROTARY SOCIAL AT THE BALLPARK!!
Posted by Mike Del Duca on Aug 12, 2019
It's not summer unless you've been to a ballgame!!  Join the Berkeley Heights and Scotch Plains Rotary Clubs on Tuesday, August 27 for a night at the TD Bank Ballpark to see the Somerset Patriots take on the Lancaster Barnstormers.  The gates open at 6:35 pm and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm.  The cost is $28 per person and includes your ticket to the game along with food and soft drinks on the Ballpark BBQ Deck inside the park on the third base side.  The menu includes; hot dogs, hamburgers, pulled port, veggie burgers, mac and cheese, coleslaw, chips, cookies, soft drinks and all the condiments.  Please note beer and wine are additional cost.  
 
Tickets must be purchased in advance.  Please make checks payable to "The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights" and get them to any Rotary member by Friday, August 16.  Tickets will be distributed the day of the game.  Checks may also be dropped off to GRA Architects, 310 Springfield Avenue #12, Berkeley Heights or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New Jersey Properties, 1260 Springfield Avenue #12, New Providence.  
 
All are welcome!!  You need not be a Rotary member to attend.  We hope to see you there!
THE RUBBER DUCKS ARE COMING!!
Posted on May 23, 2019
Save the date to come out and cheer on thousands of participating rubber ducks as they race down the Passaic River in support of the initiatives of the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights and local Boy and Girl Scout Troops on Saturday, June 8 at 12 noon.
 
The owner of the winning duck will receive a BIG prize and there will be music, fabulous food from Grain & Cane, a car show, children’s games and plus much more. This event has become a favorite tradition of both young and old in Berkeley Heights and the surrounding area.. Held annually in May, thousands of community members purchase their duck to compete in the big race with hopes of winning fantastic prizes, especially the two tickets to see Hamilton valued at $1,200!  (Donated by the Rotary Club).  Other prizes include four box seats plus parking to a 2019 NY Yankee home game (Investors Bank), Flat Screen TV (Colonial Appliance and GRA Architects, Inc.),  a three-month membership to the Berkeley Heights YMCA (Berkeley Heights YMCA) and 12 Months of Flower Arrangements from Hall's Garden Center.
 
Where: Passaic River Park, 151 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
When: Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 12 noon - 4 pm
Cost: Buy a duck to race or just come to cheer them on! The event itself is FREE. Ducks are $5 and can be purchased at the event!
 
BEEF DOGS BEAT TURKEY DOGS 4-1
Posted on Apr 13, 2019
The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights once again supported "Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweep".  Almost 1,000 turkey and beef hot dogs were served along with chips and drinks.  One lesson learned is beef hot dogs are preferred over turkey hot dogs 4-1!!
 
In 1985, COA launched the region’s first Beach Sweeps program to rid beaches of unsightly and harmful debris.  COA's Beach Sweeps is one of the longest running cleanups of its kind in the world.  The program has grown from 75 people at one site in 1985, to over 9,000 volunteers in 2018.  Volunteers gather from Raritan to Delaware Bays and along the ocean to clean beaches and waterways, as well as underwater sites.  They join as groups (community, school, business, and organization), families, or individuals.  Participants collect and record valuable data about debris, which is presented in annual reports and used to advance federal, state, and local programs to reduce litter.
 
Fish, whales, birds, and other animals often mistake litter for food.   As a result, animals get entangled in or ingest items, such as plastic bags, cigarette filters, and fishing line, with deadly results.  Cigarette filters mimic fish and have been found in the stomachs of birds and larger fish, blocking and affecting their digestion.  Also, the filters are made of plastic fibers and trap carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals that are introduced into animals’ bloodstreams.  
Moreover, plastic litter takes a few years to several hundred years to break down, thereby threatening wildlife for decades.  Litter in waterways can also foul boat motors and propellers, resulting in costly repairs.  Finally, littered beaches can ruin a day at the beach.  Garbage slicks and wash-ups close beaches to swimming and are detrimental to tourism and the coastal economy.
 
GIFT OF LIFE NEW JERSEY COMES TO BERKELEY HEIGHTS
Posted on Mar 27, 2019
Jim and Susan Allison joined the Berkeley Heights Rotary Club's lunch meeting and made a very informative presentation on the Gift of Life.  Gift of Life NJ is an all-volunteer organization, which was founded more that 40 years . ago.  Its mission is to provide resources for the treatment of children . with congenital heart defects throughout the world.
 
Read more...
2019 District Conference
 
 
 
 
I would like to invite and encourage  all Rotarians to participate in the District Conference, May 3 – 5, 2019 at the fabulous Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg.  This celebratory event highlighting the accomplishments of the Rotary year and enables clubs to demonstrate their achievements.
 
This year’s theme of “GET INSPIRED AT GETTYSBURG” plays on R.I. President Barry Rassin’s theme of “BE the INSPIRATION.” We are sure that the program will keep you informed about Rotary in the world and the historic nature of the town gives you great opportunity to explore the battlefields. Moreover, we have arranged a Saturday afternoon guided tour for those who choose to participate. Seating on the buses is limited so please act fast to reserve a place.
 
This will be the first District Conference of our new district and we are joining with our colleagues in District 7490 (Bergen, Hudson and Passaic counties,) to make the conference a memorable event.  I hope you will consider being with us in May. Bring your family as Gettysburg lends itself to being a wonderful travel destination just a three hour drive from the center of our district.
 
Cordially,
John Wilson, District Governor
 
TREX Recycling Program
Posted on Feb 03, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You may have noticed collection bins for the TREX Recycling Program around Berkeley Heights.  Trex is proud to sponsor local recycling programs in communities throughout the country. If your yown can collect more than 500 pounds of plastic refuse in a six-month span (about 40,500 plastic bags), TREX will donate a high-performance composite bench to your community.
 
Collection containers can be found at the Berkeley Heights Library, the YMCA, Police Department, Pet Supplies Plus, Columbia School and Governor Livingston High School.
 
 
Rotary Donates To Lyons Veterans
Posted on Jan 16, 2019
As part of the holiday initiative, the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights collected arts and crafts supplies for the Veterans housed at the VA Hospital in Lyons.  Members of the Berkeley Heights Club donated, collected and organized the effort and Tiffany Escott delivered the supplies to the hospital where they were distributed under the auspices of the Women's Treatment Program.
 
 
 
District Governor John Wilson Visits Berkeley Heights Rotary
Posted on Jan 09, 2019
Rotary 7475 District Governor John Wilson joined the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights luncheon meeting on Wednesday, January 9 at the Chimney Rock Inn.  Mr. Wilson discussed various Rotary initiatives and projects such as END HUNGER 3.6 and the Rotary strategic plan.  Membership, Humanitarian Services and the public image of Rotary.  If you are interested in becoming a member of the Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights please reach out to us.  
pictured l to r:  Carmella Resnick, Alan Feigenbaum, Lynn Galanga, George Kraemer, District Governor John Wilson, President Jim Ramentol
Mike Del Duca, Mary Ann Cusack, Stephanie Bakos, Pam Steiner, Mike Higgins, Laura Fuhro and Jim Kwan
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Posted on Dec 31, 2018
 
The Rotary Club of Berkeley Heights wishes you and yours a
 very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!!
Please feel free to visit us at our regularly scheduled lunch meetings.
New members are always welcome.
 
 
Upcoming Events
Club Officers
President
Jim Ramentol
President Elect
Mike Del Duca
Treasurer
Jim Kwan
Secretary
Stephanie Bakos
Rotary Foundation Chair
Gerry Harris
Membership Chiar
Mary Ann Cusack