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Are you interested in making positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share in your drive to give back. 
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SUPERBOWL2023ONLINESQUARES-HOSTED BY PARK RIDGE ROTARY
After this holiday weekend of NFL/AFC games projected teams headed for the play offs just got tighter with NY Giants making it to play offs ! Fans & Team players all excited & all revved up to Win! It's only 41 days out to Super Bowl Sunday , let's keep the momentum going by joining our club 2nd Annual hosting of Football squares game for Super Bowl Sunday 2/12/23. www.FootballSquaresOnline.com/game/723921. See details flyer below , selecting squares , to payment link. make it a family affair, share with friends! All proceeds go back into the community to alleviate food insecurity and our High School Scholarship program for advanced education.
Don't waste time as squares will go quickly be a part of the action !
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Club Meeting 11-4-2022
7 OCTOBER 2022 - CLUB MEETING
DEAN MANSION, PARK RIDGE NJ
 
Flag Salute:  Terry Ciulla
 
Four Way Test: Dan Antokal
 
Invocation: Pastor Marc Stutzel
 
Members Present:  Michelle Albergo, Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Terry Ciulla, Jan Doornbosch,. Steve Fox, Rob Guller, Steve Hopper, Pete Jacobsen, Harriet Kallet,, Brian Landy, Fay Logan, Vicky Meo, Marc Stutzel, Linda Wells, Peter Wells, Phil Wells
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Mia Forsberg-Villon, Anthony Rizzo
 
Announcements:
  • The fruit sale is live
  • The Food Pantry is in need of turkey breasts; they have over 130 families coming every week.
  • Bergen volunteers matches individuals and/or families to donors for gift giving at about $50 per person.; it is accomplished though different agencies
  • We are planning a meet and greet event at Hearth and Tap on November 30; potential new members will be invited; the event will also feature a speaker on elder law.
 
Sunshine:
  • Stuart is still in rehab
 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with
adversity of one type or another.
 
Program:
On November 4, 2022, at the Dean Mansion in Park Ridge, NJ, Rotary members welcomed Mia Forsberg-Villon, Executive Director and founder of Baby Bundle, Inc. and a fellow Rotarian in the Mid-Bergen Club.
 
The concept of baby bundle originated approximately 80 years ago in Mia Forsberg-Villon’s birth country of Finland. Originally designed for low-income citizens, it now covers all new mothers and babies in Finland and is a pilot program in many countries. Baby Bundle here provides kits to expectant or adoptive parents with low incomes. Organization based on the premise that every child deserves an equal start in life, Baby Bundle provides over 50 products at an estimated value of $300.  The products include clothing, sleep essentials, bath and hygiene products, and diapers, to cover infants 1st year along with personal care items for the mother. Qualifying Mothers who are pregnant or have recently given birth will receive this basket with basic necessities. Packages also include information on child care and local services available.
 
 
For more information or to make a donation, individuals can email info@babybundle.org or go to www.babybundle.org.
 
Left to Right: Anthony Rizzo(guest),Vicky Meo, Speaker Mia Forsberg-Villon, Terry Ciulla,Dan Antokal
Park RIdge Rotary meeting with DG-Ray Cywinski 
Park Ridge Rotary Club Meeting
October 14, 2022
DG-Ray Cywinski club visit
Dean Mansion Park Ridge
 
FLAG SALUTE – Led by Terry Ciulla
FOUR-WAY TEST – Peter Wells
INVOCATION – Pastor Marc Stutzel
MEMBERS PRESENT – Terry Ciulla, Steve Fox, Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Harriet Kallart, Phil Wells, Vicky Meo, Marc Stutzel, Fay Logan, Pete Jacobsen, Linda Wells, Peter Wells, Diane Saccoccia
VISITING ROTARIANS AND GUESTS – District Governor 7490 Ray Cywinski
ROTARY UPDATES - President Terry Ciulla gave a brief Club report on who we are as a club to DG Cywinski. We stand out as being one of the most welcoming Clubs-whether it is a new/potential member, other visitors or our guest speakers, many leave with the desire to join Rotary. We are an extended family. Efforts result in new members. One of our key Focuses is branding our club so that “Everybody knows ore name” within the community. Collaboration or sponsorship of events like Bergen Passaic Walk to End Alzheimer’s and the school backpack drive increase our visibility and help keep our name in the public eye.   Terry discussed how our club is using good accounting practices, financial transparency and maintaining set budget.
 
GUEST SPEAKER – DG Cywinski began by asking everyone to introduce themselves and provide a brief bio, stating that he is a 25 year member of Rotary.  As District Governor his main focus is working towards financial transparency for the entire District.  He is taking a hard look at finances to clean up redundancy, maintain a tight rein on spending with a lean budget.  DG was happy to hear that our club is working on our branding, as doing events gets the Rotary name out there and noticed.  Good branding can lead to increased membership – Oradell Rotary has been visiting senior citizens, and Fair Lawn has increased the number of events they do.  The key is to grow – retaining members while adding new ones.  Maintain club growth by 1-5% of your club’s current membership.  The Governor mentioned Rotary International will withdraw club charters if membership not maintained.
Education and mentorship of members to become leaders is how to keep clubs strong.  Institutional knowledge needs to be shared and passed down.  Rotary offers opportunities for members to learn and become leaders.
The Rotary Foundation is a key component of Rotary.  Every member should be encouraged to donate to the Foundation – this money can flow back to the individual club and communities via grant opportunities. Donating to the Foundation allows us to do more!  As an example, Polio has been confirmed in nearby Rockland County.  Rotary International is working to combat Polio and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are matching donations for Polio eradication.  Up until April 30 of this year, Foundation funding was used for assisting Ukraine and refugees.  After April 30th money is going into the General Fund.  District is looking into connecting with hard hit disaster areas by reaching out to Rotary club in the disaster locality, Rotary to Rotary - we would facilitate a collection of basic needs or money  into the   right hands . This would be a way to help victims in Florida hurricanes and flooding.
Our District and District 7475 were planning a joint conference, but there were issues with 7475 being un-districted by Rotary.  Governor Cywinski was pleased to announce that the joint conference will be going forward and held in Skytop PA, on May 5-7 2022.  A District Directory is being worked on and he will let everyone know when it is available. 
Club members showed appreciation for DG’s visit and his narration of our District Goals, Budgeting, Education, and membership..
 
 
Park Ridge Rotary meeting Oct 7th with Ron Gold
7 OCTOBER 2022 - CLUB MEETING
DEAN MANSION, PARK RIDGE NJ
 
Flag Salute:  Terry Ciulla
 
Four Way Test: Dan Antokal
 
Invocation: Pastor Marc Stutzel
 
Members Present:  Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Terry Ciulla, Jan Doornbosch, Pete Jacobsen, Vicky Meo, Marc Stutzel
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Ron Gold, Anthony Rizzo
 
Announcements:
  • The October 14 meeting will include a visit from our District Governor, Ray Cywinski
  • The next Board meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person session at Steve Fox’s Office at 6:30 and Zoom at 7 PM on Tuesday, October 18
 
 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with
adversity of one type or another.
 
Program:
On October 7, 2022, at the Dean Mansion in Park Ridge, NJ, Rotary members welcomed Ron Gold Cofounder & CEO of Lean On We who spoke with us about his company, Lean on We.
Our past Rotary club President Dan Antokal and his wife has been friends with Ron and wife for 25 years
Ron described his journey from successful Wall Street career to a life-changing tragic accident embarked on one last bicycle ride before winter. Near the end of their 50-mile ride, a sleeping driver in an SUV came barreling upon the group, Ron was struck head on, leaving Ron a paraplegic.   In facing the challenges of his new life, Ron realized he needed a new purpose in life.  That realization led to the founding of Lean on We.
 
Lean on We is designed to help patients and their families navigate and better afford home care. The organization helps clients identify the type of care they need. They offer a database of pre-qualified and highly vetted home care professionals and help identify suitable candidates. Company has an innovative pricing strategy to slash costs by cutting out the middleman. As a result, clients can choose the caregivers they like best with a high degree of confidence. In addition, Lean on We has an innovative pricing strategy to slash costs by cutting out the middleman, i.e., agency overhead.
Lean on We has helped more than 800 families in the tri-state area. Ron concluded urged everyone to plan ahead with the following comment:  “preparing for the future is an act of love”. 
The video at the URL/link below will provide you a sense of Ron’s incredible story and fortitude. https://youtu.be/NEcM4VG2P4M
Park Ridge Rotary Sep 16th
16 SEPTEMBER 2022 - CLUB MEETING
DEAN MANSION, PARK RIDGE NJ
 
Flag Salute:  Terry Ciulla
 
Four Way Test: Bob Bustard
 
Invocation: Terry Ciuuylla
 
Members Present:  Michelle Albergo, Dan Antokal, June Bertini, Bob Bustard, Terry Ciulla, Steve Fox, Pete Jacobson, Brian Landy, Fay Logan, Diane Saccocia
 
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Jeanne Martin
 
Announcements:
  • The next Board meeting will be hybrid, with the in-person session at Steve Fox’s Office at 6:30 and Zoom at 78 PM
  • Next Thursday will be a social event, time and place TBD
  • The October 7 meeting will feature Ron Gold of Lean on We
  • The October 14 meeting will include a visit from our District Governor, Ray Cywinski
  • The October 18 meeting will feature Frank Squeo of Baking Memories 4 Kids
 
Sunshine: 
  • Stuart is in the hospital with several issues
  • Dan’s mother is in the hospital
 
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with
adversity of one type or another.
 
Program:
 
On September 16, 2022, at the Dean Mansion in Park Ridge, NJ, Rotary members welcomed Jeanne Martin, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels North Jersey.  She is currently a member of the Oradell-Emerson Rotary Club and was a past President of the Westwood Rotary Club.
 
Meals on Wheels is a  501(c)(3) organization that provides both nutritious meals and a daily well visits to home-bound neighbors. It was founded in 1972 by Margaret Cook. In North Jersey the program began with $250 seed money from the Rotary Club of Park Ridge.  The organization’s current budget is now about $550,000. They serve approximately 300 people and 200 meals a day with food provided by Rockland County Meals on Wheels. They cover 31 towns and villages in Bergen County. The COVID epidemic put a big strain on the program, during which timer frozen (instead of fresh) meals were delivered and clients faced increased isolation.
 
People who need Meals on Wheels services are mostly seniors as well as some veterans. Those who can’t afford to pay for the meals are helped through individual, group, and government donations. With rare exceptions, it is required that clients live alone and are unable to drive.
 
Meals on Wheels serves people who are more than “clients”. They are considered friends and neighbors. As a result, volunteers do more than drop off a meal. Volunteers have been known to contact social workers for a client having a hard time, notify police if a client doesn’t answer the phone or door, and simply be there for those experiencing isolation and needing face to face contact.
 
Meals on Wheels is now celebrating its 50th anniversary with a gala on Thursday, September 22. Some of our members will be in attendance.  A Ragtime theater fundraiser is also coming up on October 18.
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P.O. Box 265, Park Ridge, New Jersey 07656
Park Ridge

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Fridays at 12:15 PM
Dean Mansion
122 Noyes Dr.
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
United States of America
Club # 5591 fellowship meeting the first and Second Friday of every month at 12:15pm Luncheon and last Thursday of month club Social See Calendar for events, times and meeting locations Learn more parkridgerotary@gmail.com
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