-These powerful words—soon to be inscribed on our Rotary Peace Pole—serve as both a wish and a call to action.
Dear Rotary Friends,
Welcome to our final newsletter of the year. As 2024 ends, during this season of hope and celebration, Rotary’s mission to foster peace and create change is alive, both abroad and in our community. Amid global challenges, Rotary is stepping up—advancing peace through action, one project, one relationship, and one community at a time. Through impactful programs like the Rotary Peace Centers and partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations, we are equipping peacebuilders and addressing the root causes of conflict, including displacement, inequality, and climate-driven challenges.
Here in Newtown, we’re preparing to install a Rotary Peace Pole, bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages. This visible symbol will reflect our commitment to creating a better world. If you’d like to help lead or participate in this meaningful initiative, I’d love to hear from you!
While Rotary’s global initiatives inspire us, our recent local service projects have brought hope and connection right here at home. From honoring veterans with wreath placements led by Donna McCormick-Miller, to delivering holiday gifts with Paul Salvatore and 14 dedicated volunteers, to Donna McCormick-Miller, Susan Schino, and Charlie Quattrone delivering Kristen Smedley’s impactful book to elementary school children through our Grant and Literacy Committee's, to serving ice cream and kindness to the homeless with Shari and Tom Donahue of Zebra Striped Whale and her team of 14 volunteers—our club's efforts truly made a difference.
We also celebrated the season at our holiday party, where over 60 Goodnoe Elementary "Select Choir" school children filled the room with songs about peace, and Joe Garvey and his team treated us to an incredible meal. Special thanks to Stephanie Eubanks for her cookies for the kids and for arranging the performance, to Deborah Salvatore for preparing thoughtful gifts for the children, and to Rich Fekete for bringing Santa to life. Thank you also to everyone that attended our final Camaraderie for a Cause of the year at the Temperance House, raising money for Zeke and the special Bucks County Sheriff's team of awesome canines.
Do take a moment to explore Jenn’s wonderful collection of photos and details below. Please join me in thanking to our committee leaders and all the volunteers who made these efforts extraordinary!!!
Looking Ahead:
Tuesday, December 24: Join us at 9 AM at the American Legion to pack meals for the homeless.
Wednesday, December 25: Help serve meals to the homeless.
Tuesday, December 31: Is the final date to submit grant requests this year!!! Please send all grant requests to Charlie ASAP.
Friday, April 11: Hope on the Vine! Please gather auction items and sponsorships for our biggest fundraiser! If you receive holiday gift baskets and/or gift cards you don’t need this year, please bring them to our meeting on January 8th.
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, January 8 | 12:15 PM | American Legion
Celebrate with us as we honor our Students of the Month, an initiative led by Rotarian Rob Brown, and enjoy a Mediterranean buffet courtesy of Joe Garvey—please RSVP below!
As 2024 draws to a close, I thank each of you for the generosity and dedication that make our Rotary Club of Newtown truly exceptional. Together, we’ve nurtured hope and created a lasting impact in our community and beyond. A special thank you to our club sponsors, board members, NextGen Team, and committee and project leaders whose support makes our work possible. Please take a moment to show our appreciation by reaching out and recognizing the difference they make!
Wishing you all safe travels, joyful moments with loved ones, and a bright, impactful year ahead. A very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, with peace and happiness for all.
Warm regards,
Debra Porter President and proud member of the Newtown Rotary Club, District 7430
Lunch Meetings will be held the first three Wednesdays of each month from 12:15-1:30PM at the American Legion building. A Lunch Buffet catered by Joe Garvey will be served at a cost of $16 per person.
Camaraderie for a Cause events will be held the fourth Thursday of each month from 5:00-7:00PM. Locations and causes will vary but the donation of $10 remains the same
Our January schedule is as follows:
1/8: Lunch Meeting @ American Legion - Healthy Fare - Mediterranean
1/15: Lunch Meeting @ American Legion - Healthy Fare - Italian Coast
1/22: Lunch Meeting @ American Legion - Healthy Fare - Spanish Coast
1/30: Camaraderie for a Cause @ Ardana - Main Street
We appreciate the feedback that helped inform this change and look forward to getting into a rhythm! Thank you.
Weekly Lunch Meeting - 12/4
Please join us for an exciting Lunch Meeting on 12/4 @ 12:15pm at the American Legion building. Charlie Quattrone & Cindy Hornaman from our Grants & Allocations committee will speak to us about how to Nominate a Cause and what's available for nonprofits in our community. The theme for our lunch is "The French Connection"!
Please join us at the Washington Crossing Inn on Saturday, 12/7 from 8:00-10:00am as we serve breakfast to families in our community who are in need of some help this holiday season. There will be a special visit from Santa for the kids!
Please join us as we participate in the Newtown Annual Holiday Parade! Newtown Rotarians will proudly accompany our amazingly decorated parade float through the cheering crowd on Sunday, 12/8 from 2:00-4:00pm. We will meet in the Stocking Yards parking lot with all the other parade goers at 1:00pm sharp! See you there!
Celebrate Outstanding High School Students in Our Community
The Rotary Club of Newtown's Students of the Month program celebrates outstanding high school students for their achievements, leadership, and embodiment of Rotary’s ideal of "Service Above Self." This initiative supports students in their journey toward higher education while recognizing their exceptional contributions to their schools and communities. Each year, the Rotary Club honors students, including members of Interact Clubs, from local high schools. Awards are presented twice annually to students who exemplify excellence in a number of important areas. From September through May, students are carefully selected by their school administrators for this distinguished recognition. It’s our privilege to celebrate their accomplishments and support their bright futures. During this meeting, we’ll hear from the award recipients, and their parents and other family members are invited to attend.
We had the great pleasure to formally induct Grace & Steve Simco and Maureen Salvucci into our amazing Newtown Rotary Club on November 13th! Our very own Rotarian, District Judge Mick Petrucci, performed the honors and now we have three wonderful new members in our Club! Congratulations and welcome!
Rotarians At Work Again!!!
Weekly Lunch Meeting - 11/13
Our Fall Food Drive was a tremendous success! Our volunteers collected over 400 bags stuffed with food to benefit the Wrightstown Food Cupboard. In addition, we collected over $4,967 in donations thanks to a generous match by Gene Epstein and a donation from Joe Garvey. Special thanks to Shari Donahue and Paul Salvatore for their leadership on this very important initiative! Mitch and Nancy McIntire from the Wrightstown Food Cupboard are pictured here as well as Gene Epstein. Additionally, the Newtown Rotary Club was proud to bestow Gene with our very prestigious Paul Harris honor to recognize his generosity to us and our community. Congratulations, Gene!
By the way, look at the HUGE crowd we had at this meeting! We estimate that we had 43 people at this lunch - fantastic!!!
Rotarians Still Working!!!
Camaraderie for a Cause - Hurricane Relief Efforts - 11/21
Our Club held an event at the Newtown Brewing Company on November 21st to raise funds to assist in Hurricane Relief efforts as a result of Helene and Milton's destruction in many parts of our country. Our very own Brandon Valeri-Bruschini has personally given so much of this time, effort, supplies and aid to help others in need. He spoke to a group of 38 people about his personal experiences and we were able to raise $400 to assist in these important efforts. Thank you, Brandon, for all you are doing and inspiring us to play a role in these relief efforts as well.
The Newtown Rotary Club is proud to give back to our community, country and world to help make a difference in people's lives as we put "Service Above Self".
Our Newtown Rotary Club!!!
Who wouldn't want to join a Club full of this fun loving group!!??
Photo by Rotarian Brandon Valeri-Bruchini, Mediaology
Community & Volunteer Opportunities
In this section, you will find opportunities to volunteer outside of our own Rotary events.
In doing so, we expand our "Rotary Reach" into our community! Please sign up or even just attend these events if you can.
Order Rotary Apparel
Click Here to add to your "Rotary Wardrobe" and show your Rotary pride!
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