Newtown Rotary Spotlight
January 23, 2026
"Service Above Self" since 1953

Presidents Message

 
"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame but greatness, because greatness is determined by service."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
Last Wednesday's meeting was special as we honored 5 Council Rock North Students and parents as Students of the Month.  A special shoutout to Rob Brown who facilitates this event on a bi-annual basis and Jerry Agasar who pinch hit for Rob that afternoon.  For all of our Students of the Month, the main theme heard was "service' in the community.  We always welcome our Students of the Month to our future meetings and inform us of their endeavors. A few days ago we held our monthly committee reports as we march on into the 2026 year.
 
Our C4C is back on Thursday evening January 29th, 2026 from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the Triple Sun located on South State Street in Newtown.  Our non profit spotlight is AARK Wildlife Rehab.  We ask all members and their guests to register for the event to provide an accurate count.  Also, we ask of a minimum donation of $10 which goes directly to AARK Wildlife Rehab.  At our dinner meeting Wednesday February 4th, 2026 Steve Kendra of District 7430 will do a presentation on the Rotoplast mission to third world countries and cleft palate surgery for children and adults.  
 
Our lunch fee is $16.00 and dinner fee is $25.00.  We ask members and their guests to register for the events/meetings so an accurate count for food can be given to Joe Garvey at the American Legion.  You can always request from Joe a take home tray of lunch or dinner food depending on the meeting.  
 
Any members interested in setting up a speakers committee for the club?  Please feel free to reach out to me at either sec103ru85@gmail.com or via cell at 267-907-4179.  
 
Our club has a number of exciting activities in store over the next 6 months.  Please make sure to read the newsletter for the events that are being planned.  As always, thank you very much and service above self!
 
Steve Sabel
President, Rotary Club of Newtown, District 7430
Camaraderie for a Cause - 1/29
The Newtown Rotary Club is proud to announce a "Camaraderie for a Cause" on Thursday, January 29th in support of AARK Wildlife Rehab and Education Center​, an organization that rehabilitates injured animals and educates about harmonious coexistence. Their primary goals are rehab, release, and education. We invite our community to join us at Triple Sun from 5:30pm-7:00pm to help this fantastic organization that helps more than 5,000 birds mammals, reptiles, and amphibians annually, making it one of the busiest wildlife center in Pennsylvania!  Bring a $10 donation and a bunch of friends, see you there!
Dinner Meeting - 2/4
Please join us for our dinner on Wednesday, February 4th from 6:00pm-7:30pm at the American Legion when we will welcome Steve Kendra, from Rotary District 7430.  Steve will speak to us about "Rotoplast" whose mission is to provide free reconstructive surgery and comprehensive care for children with clefts and other birth defects in regions lacking access to such treatment. Bring $25 and we'll have a nice dinner catered by Joe Garvey.  See you there!
Lunch Meeting - 2/11
Please join us for our Lunch Meeting on Wednesday, February 11th at the American Legion at 12:15pm.  We will welcome Dawn Wright and Dawn Haaz from Girls Empowered.  This organization seeks to empower girls by providing them with the knowledge, skills, confidence, and resources to stand up for oneself, make positive choices, and be in control of one’s future.  They do this through summer camps, customized workshops and programs that promote empowerment.  Bring $16 for lunch with Joe Garvey and we'll see you there!
SAVE THE DATE!
Hope On The Vine - 4/24/26
 
Special Thanks to Paul Salvatore!!!
"December to Remember" 2025
Thank you, Rotarian Paul Salvatore, for spearheading an extraordinary December dedicated to serving our community with heart, purpose, and impact. Under your leadership, the month began with our Santa Breakfast on December 6, welcoming over 180 guests with the help of 30 volunteers and ensuring every child from Council Rock, A Woman’s Place, and the Family Service Homeless Shelter received a gift.
 
You then led the collection and sorting of more than 1,600 gifts for the Angel Tree, delivering them to multiple organizations in need. The holiday shelter Ice Cream Party—complete with ice cream from The Zebra Striped Whale, a visit from Santa, and family photos lovingly developed and gifted on Christmas Day—created memories that will last a lifetime.
 
On Christmas Eve, you organized the Assembly of Meals for more than 250 people, enough to feed them twice, and ensured food was delivered to the homeless shelter. Finally, on Christmas Day, you were there again, providing a warm Christmas Feast and a powerful reminder of what Rotary service truly means.  We are truly grateful to you for all you do along with help from others like Shari Donahue, Joe Garvey and all of our many wonderful Newtown Rotary volunteers.  Thank you very much!!!
Rotarians Recognizing Students!!!
Lunch Meeting - 1/14
The Newtown Rotary Club was thrilled to recognize five outstanding Council Rock students as our "Students of the Month" during our lunch meeting this week! These students exemplify leadership, dedication, and a strong commitment to their school and community. It is always inspiring to see the next generation making such a positive impact and we are proud to celebrate their achievements and hard work. Congratulations to all of our honorees, Kieran Ward, Alexa Pikul, Marlena Duchnowski, Owen Rodowicz and Jouad Barouki. Special thanks to Jerry Agasar for leading the celebration!
Rotarians Collecting Wreaths in the Snow!!!
"Wreaths Across America" Pick Up - 1/19
Special thanks to three brave and hearty Rotarians, Donna Miller, Jim Miller and Susan Schino, for showing up to help the Wreaths Across America team collect the wreaths from the gravesites of our Veterans on January 19th.  Your dedication ensured these sacred spaces were treated with the respect they deserve and your service honors their sacrifice and reflects the very best of Rotary’s commitment to community and gratitude.  Thank you!
Community Involvement Opportunities!
This section provides Rotarians the opportunity to volunteer and / or attend community events outside of Rotary in the spirit of "Service Above Self"!
Upcoming Speakers
Feb 04, 2026 6:00 PM
Rotoplast Support Efforts

On Wednesday, 2/4, we will welcome Steve Kendra, from Rotary District 7430 to our dinner meeting.  Steve will speak to us about "Rotoplast" whose mission is to provide free reconstructive surgery and comprehensive care for children with clefts and other birth defects in regions lacking access to such treatment. 

Feb 11, 2026 12:15 PM
Girls Empowered
Feb 18, 2026 12:15 PM
Mar 04, 2026 6:00 PM
Bucks County Association for the Blind
View entire list
Newtown Rotary Giving Summary!
Committee Updates!
Lower Bucks Action Committee
The Lower Bucks Action Committee meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Garden of Eatin Restaurant in Levittown, PA at 7:30AM.  These meetings are also carried over zoom, and here's the link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83025874518?pwd=cm9lblJ1RllSVENyUng0am92eW5Sdz09
 
ALL members of the club are welcome - particularly if you can't make a scheduled lunch or dinner meeting and a breakfast meeting or meeting on Zoom works better.  Any member who has interest in service projects in Bristol, Bensalem, Middletown, or Falls Townships would also want to check us out.  For more information, please contact Kim Praria kdboice@hotmail.com
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Member Birthdays
Roxanne Fitzgerald
January 1
 
Jack Erickson
January 3
 
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January 16
 
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January 18
 
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January 26
 
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January 31
 
Join Date
Bill Kolenda
January 1, 1986
40 years
 
Dan Schaffer
January 1, 1900
126 years
 
Kyle Davis
January 7, 2015
11 years
 
Mark Byelich
January 13, 2011
15 years
 
Alex Petsis
January 15, 2014
12 years
 
Robert Howell
January 16, 2024
2 years
 
Karen Platts
January 20, 2025
1 year
 
Ginny Kownurko
January 30, 2022
4 years
 
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