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President's Message

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Hillsborough website. On these pages you’ll learn more 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. Traditionally, we meet every first and third Wednesday evening at 6:15 PM at The Landing Restaurant (311 Amwell Rd., Hillsborough, NJ) to share a meal and friendship, plan service projects or hear interesting speakers. Temporarily, we are meeting virtually via Zoom. 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 me by email at richsalem@comcast.net and we will respond by phone or email. Additionally, you can learn more about the worldwide reach of Rotary at www.Rotary.org. Thank you for visiting our website. We hope to meet you soon.

Rich Salem,

President

Rotary Fair Cancelled

As a result of COVID-19 related risks and restrictions, the Rotary Club of Hillsborough decided to cancel this year’s annual Rotary Fair, held each August at the Hillsborough Promenade, 315 Route 206 (adjacent to the Lowe’s parking lot).

“We are greatly disappointed to have to cancel this year’s Fair,” commented Rotary President, Tricia Marciano. “The Fair is not only a highly anticipated annual tradition for Hillsborough families, it is our major fundraiser. However, we look forward to bringing the Fair back better than ever in 2021.”

Steps Together Founder to Receive Jean Harris Award

Pictured above: Courtney with husband Mike Newman

Rotary International District 7475 will honor Courtney Newman, founder of Steps Together, with its prestigious Jean Harris award. Newman was nominated by the Rotary Club of Hillsborough for the extraordinary community service that she offers through her Hillsborough-based 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring the community to pay their blessings forward and support Somerset County families facing a medical crisis. The award will be presented in a virtual ceremony on June 24^th.

“The Jean Harris Award is the highest honor that Rotary can bestow on a non-Rotarian, explained Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Tricia Marciano. “Though not a Rotarian, we believe that Courtney truly embodies the ideals of Rotary, as well as our motto, “Service Above Self.”

Formed in 2013, Steps Together, with the support of the community, provides families facing a medical crisis with needed financial relief, while also bringing awareness to the conditions that impact them. Their stories and needs are shared within the local community by creating pages for each family on the Steps Together website. The site is then used to centralize fundraising efforts to create a “one-stop shop” for anyone wishing to help. Steps Together has raised over $800,000 since its inception, which has covered a wide spectrum of costs for families facing their most difficult challenges.

Courtney and Mike Newman became inspired to help families after experiencing medical scares with both their young children. During that brief time, the couple learned about the complete disruption to life that occurs, the true cost of medical care and the overwhelming feeling of isolation that can be helped tremendously by the smallest act of kindness. Courtney decided to find a way to pay her blessings forward and encourage the local community to join her in this endeavor.

Serving Those Who Serve

As part of a joint project with the Rotary Club of Watchung/Warren, Rotary Club of Hillsborough members Al Catalina (left) and Josh Riding (far right) delivered 80 lunches to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lyons, New Jersey. Al and Josh are joined by Kim (center), an employee of the hospital. Assisting in the project, but not pictured above, is Rotarian Ben Rozenblat.

Community Collaboration

Pictured above helping to deliver meals for Hillsborough families in need are (L to R) Rotarian Bob Wagner, Ben Green of the Greater Somerset County YMCA, and Rotarians Rich Salem and Abed Medawar. (Taking the picture is Club President Tricia Marciano). Qualifying families were able to pick up a week's worth of groceries at Hillsborough High School on Monday, May 11. The project was the result of a collaboration between the Greater Somerset County YMCA, the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, the Hillsborough School District and the Rotary Club of Hillsborough.

Rotary Responds to Families in Need

In its ongoing effort to address community needs during these challenging times, The Rotary Club of Hillsborough worked with other area Rotary Clubs to secure a district-wide grant to purchase meals for families in need. For Hillsborough, that resulted in an allocation of 936 meals that were delivered on Saturday to the Hillsborough Food Pantry by Rotary Club of Hillsborough President, Tricia Marciano (pictured attached)., and Club Board Member and head of the Township’s Parks and Recreation Department, Bob Wagner

“Our current economy has led to a substantial increase in the number of families qualifying for assistance,” commented Club President Marciano. “Not surprisingly, the Hillsborough community has generously responded to the need with both monetary contributions, as well as with bags of groceries. We are doing our part as well.”

The Rotary Club of Hillsborough’s response has included organizing a community grocery drive and purchasing meals for medical workers at RWJ University Hospital in Somerville and New Brunswick, as well as for the children and caregivers at the Hillsborough YMCA daycare center. Additionally, to honor those working on the front lines of the Coronavirus crisis, the Rotary Club of Hillsborough displayed banners around town thanking all of our essential workers.

Serving Those Who Serve

Rotary Club of Hillsborough President Tricia Marciano (left) and HIllsborough YMCA Director Ben Green (right) are seen here delivering a special lunch for very special people - the children of essential workers and the YMCA staff caring for them. The Rotary Club purchased the lunch from Just Subs in Hillsborough as a way of thanking those residents who are performing the services that keep our community operational.

Overwhelming Community Support for Rotary Grocery Drive

Rotarians ( L To R) Bob Wagner, President Tricia Marciano and Rich Salem stand before groceries donated by generous Hillsborough residents who responded to the Club's Food Pantry Drive, which ran from Thursday, April 16, to Sunday, April 19. The Township's Food Pantry serves HIllsborough families in need and is supported entirely by monetary and in-kind donations. The Rotary Club wishes to thank all those who contributed to the successful drive.