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President's Message

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Hillsborough website!

On these pages you’ll learn about how our club fulfills our mission of service above self while enjoying the fellowship of a diverse group of men and women who come together to make a positive and lasting impact in our community and the world. Our Club meets at 6:15 PM at The Landing restaurant (311 Amwell Rd, Hillsborough) on the first and third Wednesdays of the month to share a meal and friendship, plan service projects and hear interesting speakers. For those who cannot attend in-person, we also Zoom our meetings.

We welcome new members who share our commitment to our community and wish to participate in local service projects, as well as fun social events. If you are interested in joining us, or simply learning more about our club, please contact us by email at Rotaryclubhboro@gmail.com, and we will respond by phone or email. Additionally, you can learn more about the worldwide reach of Rotary at www.Rotary.org. Please call ahead of the meeting to confirm your visit with us.

Thank you for visiting our website. We look forward to seeing you at the Rotary.

Shawn Lipani

President

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough

Service Above Self

Rotary Fair Ribbon Cutting

The wait is over! The 25th Annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair was officially opened Tuesday, August 15, with a ribbon cutting ceremony presided over my Hillsborough Mayor and Rotary Club of Hillsborough President Shawn Lipani.The Rotary Fair will run through Saturday, August 19th during which time over 15,000 visitors are expected to enjoy the annual event this year.

Rotary Fair and Business Expo Go Digital!

The 15^th annual Hillsborough Rotary Fair kicks off Tuesday, August 15, with new thrill rides, more food vendors and an updated interactive digital map allowing fairgoers to plan their visit in advance and link directly to the Expo’s local businesses.

Located at the fairgrounds adjacent to the Hillsborough Promenade (315 Route 206 next to Lowes), the Rotary Fair draws over 15,000 visitors annually from Hillsborough and surrounding communities. Many fairgoers are second and third generation attendees, and consider the family-friendly fair a family tradition. With 20 amusement rides, fireworks, games of chance, food vendors, and a local business exposition, there is something at the Fair for everyone. Fair hours are 6-10 PM on Tuesday through Thursday, and 6-11 PM on Friday and Saturday.

The updated digital FAIR MAP , which was developed by Pinnacle Health and Fitness of Hillsborough, has undergone a number of improvements, and continuously uploads new and valuable information for attendees.

Cashless Ride Payment System

The Rotary Fair will once again feature a cashless payment system for all Fair rides. Patrons will purchase a special wristband at kiosks available throughout the fairgrounds. The wrist bands are then used in place of tickets to gain entry to the rides. The cost of each ride will be automatically deducted from the amount of money on the wristband. A $35, all-night-long ride access purchase option is available every night, or patrons may choose a different dollar amount appropriate for only select rides. The food and game vendors will continue to accept only cash.

As in years past, there will be a Giant 50/50 Raffle that has resulted in a multi-thousand-dollar payout to a single winner. The winning ticket will be selected Saturday evening, August 19, at the Fair. The winner need not be present at the time of the drawing. Tickets will be available for purchase throughout the Fair dates for $5 each. As always, all proceeds raised at the Fair are used to fund a wide variety of contributions and service projects benefitting the local community.

This year, the Fair welcomes Newark-based Construction Pros, LLC, as its “Gold Sponsor,” joining Petrock’s Bar & Grille and Petrock’s Liquors, who jointly sponsor the spectacular fireworks display that will light up the Hillsborough skies on Friday evening, August 18, at approximately 10 PM (rain date of Saturday August 19, 10 PM).

Business Exposition

There are a few remaining spots for those businesses interested in advertising and exhibiting at the Fair. Signs priced at $300 each will be displayed at the Fair throughout the week, and tented exhibit spaces for $600 each provide businesses an opportunity to meet and talk with attendees. For those business owners interested in advertising or exhibiting, please contact Ken Genco at 908-229-5045, or by email at kgenco48@gmail.com

About the Rotary Club of Hillsborough

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.

Celebrating With Rotary Scholarship Winners

Five Rotary Scholarship winners joined the Rotary Club of Hillsborough at a special July 19 evening ceremony to share their college plans with Club members and to receive their scholarship certificates from Ashley Rose (far right), who served as Club president during the 2023 scholarship program. Joining Ms. Rose, from left to right, are Amrik Sahota, Rotary member who oversees the Club's scholarship program, current Club President and Hillsborough Mayor, Shawn Lipani, and the five winners - Maeve O'Sullivan, Ria Giri, Samantha Flaim, Emily Cao and Taleb Haji. Each scholarship winner previously received a $2,000 check from the Rotary Club of Hillsborough at their high school awards ceremony.

Helping to Save Strays

Rotarians Tricia Marciano and Susan Woods (middle and right) were proud to present a check on behalf of the Rotary Club of Hillsborough to Hope Valenti (left), President of Amwell Animal Rescue Group. The group operates out of Amwell Pet Supply on Route 206. They are a charitable organization that rescues unwanted, lost and stray small animals and works to find them new homes.

Helping Our Seniors and Caregivers

Pictured Above: Surrounded by several Adult Day Center of Somerset clients, Rotarians Ben Rozenblat (right) and Rich Salem (left) recently presented a donation check to Diann Robinson, the Center's Executive Director (not pictured). The Adult Day Center, which serves Somerset County adults and caregivers, is a non-profit adult daycare facility. The Rotary Club of Hillsborough has provided both financial contributions and volunteer support at the Center's annual family barbecue.

Hillsborogh Community Joins In Annual Event Supporting Troops Abroad

Hillsborough Community Comes Together to Help Military Abroad

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Rotary Club of Hillsborough and Operation Shoebox Host Annual Holiday Packing Event

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough, Operation Shoebox and the Hillsborough YMCA once again teamed up with community volunteers on Saturday, December 10, to host their tenth annual holiday packing event to assemble boxes of donated goods and holiday messages for military serving abroad.

Joining in the event this year as a major sponsor, was Magnate Worldwide, a diversified supply chain management company that provided both logistical and monetary support to Operation Shoebox.

“It must be particularly difficult for our troops to be away from family and friends during the holidays,” commented Ashley Rose, President of the Rotary Club of Hillsborough. “These snacks and toiletries are a welcomed touch of home. And, along with cards and letters from local community groups, including Girl and Boy Scouts, they remind our troops that we are thinking of them and appreciate their service.”

With the help of approximately one hundred community volunteers, five hundred boxes were assembled in two hours at the Hillsborough YMCA, and will be shipped abroad in time for the holiday season.

Supporting Our Veterans

Photo: Rotarians and General needs staff distributing boots, socks and winter coats to veterans.

Veterans are not shown due to privacy concerns.

Four New Jersey Rotary Clubs together with General Needs, Inc. delivered needed winter clothing to 205 veterans living at Lyons VA Hospital and nearby Valley Brook Village on Saturday, December 3, 2022.This coalition does a distribution almost every month.