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Recent Impact

During the first quarter of our new 2024-2025 Rotary year, we hosted our July Camaraderie for a Cause at the Green Parrot benefiting A Love for Life, a pancreatic cancer non-profit.

Our August Camaraderie for a Cause at the Clubhouse Bar benefiting the United Way’s “Stuff the Bus” program. In addition to monetary donations, members brought backpacks and school supplies to donate.

September, 2024:

9/11 Memorial Event at Pickering Field. Rotary collected donations collected for Shamrock Reins, providing equine assisted activities and therapies for veterans, active duty & reserve service members, first responders, their families, and the families of fallen heroes. Across the street friends (and a daughter) of a Rotarian sold lemonade and raised an additional $135 for Shamrock Reins!

9/18- We were visited by DG Katie Farrell and met at the Fire Dept for a large group photo! Two of our members received the prestigious Paul Harris award. Congratulations to Lillian Beeman and Steve Sabel.

9/22- Newtown NextGen Rotary’s 3rd Annual State Street Fundraiser. Benefitting Alpha Bravo Canine. A fun, carnival style event with games and prizes at each vendor's tent. We even had the Alpha Bravo Canine kissing booth!

Our August Camaraderie for a Cause at LaStalla benefiting the Friends of Washington Crossing Park.

9/29- We held our annual Pancake and Waffle Breakfast at the American Legion Post 440. Prepared by Chef Joe Garvey, we had an amazing turnout this year and raised a good amount for the American Legion.

January - July, 2024

The last quarter is always the busiest for the Newtown Rotary Club. We re-instated our quarterly happy hours with “Camaraderie for a Cause.” During our inaugural event, held at Relic, we raised $1,000, which we donated to a local breast cancer non-profit Main St.

Our first ever Casino Night Fundraiser was held on February 3, benefiting the Chandler Hall's Hospice and Memory Care Services.

On February 21, Newtown NextGen held its own happy hour to attract young community members and raise money for upcoming service projects at the Newtown Brewing Company.

Council Rock North Interact held their 11th annual 3v3 Charity Basketball Tournament on March 2nd. Proceeds raised will be donated to Nyaka, committed to working with communities in Uganda to provide comprehensive care for vulnerable children. We look forward to this bright young club visiting us in May to present the check to Nyaka.

We held our first monthly dinner meeting at Relic on State on March 6^th. Served buffet style, the dinner was a welcomed chance to gather with members and spouses who can’t normally make our lunch meetings. We were also joined by several members of the neighboring Yardley Morrisville Rotary Club.

Our 3^rd Annual Easter Egg hunt was on March 24. A longstanding tradition in town that we are proud to be able to continue. In addition to our normal categories ranging from babies up to grandparents, the Montgomery County Bomb Squad brought their beeping eggs for the blind and visually impaired. We had to pivot from our plan due to the weather forecast, but we had a great day.

On April 3, we were joined by a very special guest speaker, the “Voice of the Eagles” Mr. Merrill Reese. Each year he joins us to update the club on “The State of the Eagles.” Even non-sports fans are easily captivated by his gentle voice and humble demeanor. (Shown with Alex Petsis and Mick Petrucci.)

We held our Annual Spring Food Drive on April 20^th at McCaffery’s Market benefiting the Wrightstown Food Bank. We had a great turnout thank to generous community members.

On April 26^th we held our Hope on the Vine Fundraising Gala. This event is the Newtown Rotary’s biggest fundraiser. Unlike our other events where we raise money for a specific cause, all the proceeds from this event go back to the Newtown Rotary so we can disperse among the local community and abroad. The event held at Rafter’s Venue in Newtown was catered by Chef Joe Garvey. Also featured were a DJ, a full bar, a cigar bar, Iron Hill brewery beer, and KLYR rum. This year we raised over $31,000!!!

On May 8^th our club was joined by the "Student's of the Month." These exemplary individuals not only earn impressive grades in school, they embody our "Service about Self" attitude. We would love to congratulate them again for their achievements, and wish them the best on their college endeavors. Two of five the students couldn't make our meeting, we congratulate and wish them well also.

Our Annual Road Cleanup was held on May 11^th. Newtown Rotary adopted the road in front of Newtown Middle School and holds a cleanup twice a year, in Spring and Fall.

On May 22, Interact Officers from Council Rock North and Council Rock South visited our lunch meeting. Each gave an impressive presentation on the state of their club. Afterwards, the students presented Nyaka Global with a check for $1,000 raised by both Interact clubs throughout the year.

June 10^th was our 33^rd Annual Golf Outing to benefit Pickering Manor. Spearheaded by Paul Salvatore and Tony Petsis, the event raised an estimated $31,000 for Pickering Manor!

On June 11 we celebrated our Presidential Changeover Dinner and the passing of the gavel from Mick Petrucci to Debra Porter beginning on July 1.

Thank you to Relic On State for hosting us and serving us a delicious meal. The event serves not only to pass the gavel but to recognize Rotarians for their achievements throughout the year.

President-elect Debra Porter receiving the gavel from President Mick Petrucci.

President Mick Petrucci receiving an award in recognition of his two years of service as President of the Newtown Rotary Club.

Kyle Davis receiving the “Unsung Hero” award for all the work he does behind the scenes to make the club run smoothly.

Stephanie Eubanks receiving the “Rotarian of the Year” award.

Dr. Jerry Agasar receiving the “Lifetime Achievement” award. This special award is not given yearly, it celebrates a lifetime of service.

On June 19^th, we held our last lunch meeting of the calendar year. During this meeting, President Mick Petrucci officially swore in President-elect Debra Porter, gleefully reminding us he only had 11 days left in office. Mick did a “show and tell” with new pieces we inherited from the now defunct Morrisville-Yardley Rotary Club. Then as a surprise, Mick gave his classification speech after 9 years in Rotary.

On June 27^th, we held our monthly “Camaraderie for a Cause” at Triple Sun Spirits in Newtown. We collected $700 in donations by attendees that has been sent to Rotary International to benefit those affected by the recent events in Brazil.

The last quarter is always the busiest for the Newtown Rotary Club. During the fourth quarter 2024, we re-instated our quarterly happy hours with “Cocktails for a Cause.” During our inaugural event, held at Relic, we raised $1,000, which we donated to a local breast cancer non-profit Main St.

Next up was our annual Pedal for Progress bike and sewing machine collection. Rotarian Jerry Agasar began this collection 21 years ago and has spearheaded it since. This year we collected 291 bikes, 27 portable sewing machines, and raised around $4,000. The money raised helps offset the large shipping costs for getting the bikes and sewing machines to developing countries. The bikes aid in traveling to communities with better job opportunities, while the sewing machines offer the chance of an entire business venture.

One of the most exciting collaborations we’ve ever done…Newtown Rotary teamed up with Warrington Rotary and Warwick Farm Brewing for a special beer release "Race to Victory," a hazy IPA, to benefit Rotary International's “End Polio Now” campaign. The beer release night was epic, a great time with two clubs coming together in fellowship.

Our Fall Food Drive, headed up by Rotarian Shari Donahue, took place at McCaffery’s Market in October. In addition to the food donations collected for our local Wrightstown Food Pantry, we also raised $1,250 to donate to their efforts.

November 4th, members rolled up their sleeves for our annual Fall road cleanup, picking up trash on our adopted highway in front of Newtown Middle School.

Later the same day our NextGen leaders were speaking at the Bucks County Community College Emerging Leaders Summit, spreading the word about Rotary.

Another tradition we hadn’t done in a while was resurrected this year, “The Million Dollar Lunch.” In lieu of our normal meeting, we met at the historic Newtown Theatre and Rotarians brought their own lunches, donating the normal lunch fee to the Wrightstown Food Cupboard.

Our annual holiday luncheon was held at the American Legion Hall and catered by a great friend to Rotary, Chef Joseph Garvey. We feasted on delicious prime rib, and an assortment of other delectable foods while being serenaded by the Goodnoe Elementary Children's Choir. After the choir sang, we had a special surprise in store for them! Santa came out to say hello and deliver special treats to each of them.

December is a month of service…and one of our busiest. We’ve dubbed Rotarian Paul Salvatore, “Mr. December” as he heads up our holiday events. Kicking off our December festivities, we won first place for our float in the Newtown Holiday Parade! Our local interact clubs were also at the parade volunteering ahead of time to make sure things went smoothly as the parade was set up. Our President, Mick Petrucci, was also the emcee for the parade!

The Annual Santa Breakfast takes place the first Saturday in December. Each year, the local school district sends a list of deserving students in the district. This year we served approximately 190 people between the students and their families at the Washington Crossing Inn breakfast with Santa, complete with a wrapped present for each child.

We also really enjoy our work with the Angel Tree, the school district helps by giving names of those that could use help during the holiday season. Each Angel represents a wish, and we are blessed to help fulfill them. Drop off locations are at the Newtown Post Office and the Northampton Library. This year we collected over 1,600 gifts for the angels, including children and parents- the gifts were sorted into their families, and each family received wrapping supplies to wrap their own gifts.

We provided a Thursday night Christmas party for the children at the Lower Bucks Homeless Shelter with ice cream donated from Zebra Striped Whale (owned by Rotarian Shari Donahue) and photos with Santa. (Photos with the children can not be used due to confidentiality.)

This year, one of our newest Rotarians, Donna McCormick-Miller, led the charge to garner volunteers to lay wreaths at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery. All who attended said it was a breathtaking experience and sight to behold.

On December 24 we packaged and delivered meals to the 93 people living in the motels on Route 13 and Route 1.

Ending our season with a bang...Christmas day we served the 80 residents of the homeless shelter, offering another exquisite Chef Joe Garvey meal- complete with shrimp and clams. (Resident faces have been blurred.)

Written by: Stephanie Eubanks, Newtown Rotary Club