Home Page | Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch

"Service Above Self"

We meet In Person

Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m.

Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant

100 Ocean Ave. N
Long Branch, NJ
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

July 1, 2025

Pres. Dave (L) and Club Foundation Chair Walt present check for $3,000

to Long Branch HS scholarship recipient Christopher Reyes.

President Dave Brown presented the Rotary Scholarship check to Long Branch High School recipient Christopher Reyes. Christopher was accompanied by his mother Hazel and sister, also Hazel. Christopher related that he will be enrolled at Monmouth University to major in biology. His ultimate career goal is to become a Physician’s Assistant. President Dave explained to the recipient the mission and functions of the worldwide Rotary organization.

(L-R) Club Pres. Dave Brown, Christopher Reyes, his mom Hazel and sister Hazel,
Club Foundation Chair Walt Thistlewaite.

June 24, 2025

President Dave congratulates and gives well wishes to Shore Regional HS recipient Jazmin Obuszko standing by her father, Joseph.

President Dave Brown presents Rotary mugs to Rich (L) and Brenden (Ctr)

in appreciation of the informative presentation they gave about Shore House.

Speakers - Rich Ampesingo and Brenden Fennell of Shore House
Highlights: Shore House -Making Waves for Mental Illness
Rich explained that Shore House is a non-profit clubhouse whose mission is to make the world a better place by helping people with mental illness to reclaim their self-worth by providing recovery opportunities, resources, employment, and support as a means to integrate with society. Shore House is New Jersey’s first and only accredited clubhouse and is celebrating 15 years of existence. Members are diagnosed by doctors and therapists.
Brenden continued the discourse by relating that traditional and conditional employment programs are available. Job training is provided along with helpful accommodations for the disabled. Tax breaks are available to employment partners.
Brochures were distributed to everyone at the Rotary meeting.

June 17, 2025

Matt & Malena receive citations for their contributions to the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch.

President Dave informed everyone that Melena and Matt Henderson will be moving to St. Augustine, Florida. He thanked them for their dedication and service to the Club. They are planning to join the Rotary club in St. Augustine, Florida. Matt has published a book titled “The 9% Club” which has received Best Seller status on Amazon. The proceeds will be going to the Amvets organization. The President and Club members raised a toast to honor and wish success to the Hendersons.

Rotary Responds

April 25, 2025 - Club Welcomes New Member

Welcome Sean Keating who was inducted into the club by Pres. Dave Brown.

April 4, 2025: Welcome to the Club Anthony Mauro

Pres. Dave inducted Anthony Mauro as a new member of the club

Rotary District 7505 Gift of Life Gala

Club member Melanie Matlosz-Hon received a well-earned Michael's Heart Award for her hard work and dedication to the Gift of Life.

Supporting her is Mika Hon, her husband. A Michaels Heart Award was awarded posthumously to William C. Fox as well.

The event held at the Lobster Shanty in Pt. Pleasant was attended by 175 club members, family and friends.

The mission of Gift of Life is to provide lifesaving cardiac treatment to children in need from developing countries regardless of gender, creed or national origin. Their goal is to develop sustainable pediatric cardiac programs by implementing screening, surgical and training visits which are supported by autonomous Gift of Life programs, Rotary global grants and generous donors from around the world'

March 28, 2025

Speaker - Annalisa Leite, Director of Development and Marketing for ARC of Monmouth County

being presented with $500 donation by club president Dave Brown.

ARC was founded in 1949 by a group of families. This non-profit organization works to improve the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Funds are provided by Medicare, the State and donations. The speaker described in detail the many services offered such as the following; Individual and family support health services, recreation programs, education, help with learning skills, seeking employment and residential programs. The Monmouth County ARC serves 1600 individuals within 20 locations. A fundraiser is planned for April 5, 2025. The speaker distributed literature describing the mission and the programs offered by the organization.

3/18/25 Mar Belo Recognition Dinner

President Dave inducting his son Michael Berry into the club.

Al Peskoe (center) gives presentation on the Jersey City Korean War Memorial. Al's friends Diane Merla and Dave Grusko sit by his side.

An estimated 163,000 from the state of New Jersey served during the Korean War era. In total, 836 from the state never returned home from Korea, including 165 POW/MIAs who still remain unaccounted for.

(L-R) Gordon Heggie & President Dave Brown present Al Peskoe with the Community Service Award for his many years of dedicated service to the club and the community. Mayor John Pallone congratulated Al for receiving the award.

Joe Ferraina (r) stopped by to congratulate Al

March 14, 2025

Speaker: (L)Kevin McMillan, Deputy Mayor, Neptune, N.J.
Topic - Diversity being thanked by Club President Dave Brown

Highlights: The speaker related his history of growing up in the Bronx. During his youth he helped his father with his plastering business and also helped when the family moved to New Jersey. During his work he learned about people of diverse races, cultures and religions. He has an M.A. in economics and an M.B.A. He had decades of Customer Relations experience at JCP&L, 20 years' experience as a pharmaceutical rep. and presently works for Pfizer. He has been mayor of Neptune 3 times. To help achieve diversity he expounded on the following: work with investors to determine destiny, be your best self, don’t mistake confidence for competence, analyze financial situations, have faith and be empathetic to the less fortunate. His mantra is “Be All You Can Be, Read”.

Students from Monmouth University Volunteer Club with Pres. Dave Brown

March 7, 2025

Club president Dave Brown (L) presents Tom with Rotary mug in appreciation of his presentation.

Speaker- Tom Gilmore, President. Monmouth-Ocean Development Council
Asbury Park Rotary Member
Highlights: The MODC is a non-profit organization that brings together business leaders, community advocates and government officials representing diverse groups
from Monmouth and Ocean counties. The mission is to derive regional prosperity by sharing expertise with members. There are 300 members, 11 committees, 2 social/fundraising committees and educational seminars. In 1965 the organization was founded by Kendall Lee as the Shore Area Development Council. In 1969 the name was changed to the Monmouth-Ocean Development Council to encompass both counties.
There are luncheons, workshops and business publications. Some topics that are addressed are land and water conservation, environment, community improvement and economic development. The speaker informed everyone about the new taxes proposed by Governor Murphy.

February 28, 2025

, 2025

Amber Cunha

Speaker - Amber Cunha from BriefCam Company
(Advanced surveillance systems)
The company was founded in 2008 at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and developed as a video synopsis. The mission is to improve everyday lives by transforming video surveillance data into variable insights by using innovative solutions powered by advances technologies. The video analytics can track , search and identify people and objects of interest. BriefCam , a global company, has helped Fortune 500 companies, the police, transportation hubs, hospitality and entertainment centers and stadium events in real time. For example, recently this surveillance system identified the perpetrator of the United Health crime. The technology enables customers worldwide to review hours of video in seconds.

Amber being thanked for her highly informative presentation by club president Dave Brown,

with husband and Rotarian Peter Cunha standing beside her.

January 10, 2025

Pres. Dave thanks Tabatha Dalponte, Youth Exchange Officer for District 7505 Youth Exchange,
with a Rotary mug for her wonderful presentation

Highlights: The mission of the Youth Exchange program is to promote world peace and understanding of different cultures. Over 40 countries are involved in the program. U. S. high school students travel to foreign countries (outbound) and foreign students come to the U.S, (inbound) to live with host families, attend local classes and monthly Rotary meetings. There are Rotary Club counselors to handle details and advocate for the students. Host families receive orientation training, are responsible for accommodation, meals and to include the student in family activities. The students stay with different families for three, 3month periods. The Students receive a monthly stipend from Rotary. The speaker related her experience as an exchange student in Brazil. She built lifelong friendships and helped build a positive world view of the U.S.A. She distributed detailed literature about the program and invited members to consider hosting a student.

President Dave Receives Paul Harris Award

Tasha Youngblood Brown, President Dave Brown, and Paul Peacock

Paul pinning Dave with the Paul Harris pin.

Tasha Youngblood Brown and Paul Peacock spoke about President Dave Brown's commitment to serving the club and the community before presenting him with a prestigious Paul Harris Award.

(L-R) District 7505 Governor Elect Michael Thompson Club President Dave Brown, DGA Mark Morro, District Governor Nominee, William Mercantini

DGA Mark Morro opened the presentation with introductions. District Governor Nominee William Mercantini began the discussion about the proposal to merge the three districts into one unified district

By collaborating among the 4800 members the districts will be empowered to move forward. Many other states have already consolidated. 7505 District Governor Michael Thompson discussed the advantages - such as more power to receive increased funds from the foundation and from corporations, have the ability to offer more services and reduce costs. N.J. will then be the largest in the U.S.A. The Governors will be meeting with all the districts to discuss the consolidation.

Club Delivers Turkeys to Food Pantries

Club members pick up turkeys and fixins from Tower Hill Church in Red Bank to deliver to

local Long Branch food pantries for Thanksgiving.

Wall Speedway Fundraiser

Amazingly successful freezing day at the races. All time high for money raised. Hardworking super team.

Rotary Supports LB Toy Drive

November 22, 2024

Speaker: Taharka Sankara, founder and Managing Member of Counseling Support Services,LLC

Taharka related his transformational life’s journey from a troubled youth to a motivated adult with a Masters Degree in social work. He is also licensed and certified for clinical social work in N.J.
Counseling Support Services - The organization was established in 2013 to provide culturally and responsive clinical support services in a safe, secure and healing environment to individuals and families impacted by traumatic life experiences. The mission is to provide affordable and accessible care, to empower individuals to develop a renewed perspective on life with a sense of purpose and self-awareness. The speaker authored a transformational, self-healing workbook , Six Critical Strategies. The book discusses healthy and unhealthy strategies for diet, rest, exercise, relationships, mindfulness and therapeutic counseling.

(L) Pres. Dave thanking Taharka for his inspirational presentation

Rotary Participates in FinFe$t

The Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch participated in the dfree FinFe$t at the Long Branch Middle School on 11/9/24. This was a free financial festival teaching families how to make money, manage money, and invest money, empowering families through financial and health literacy. The event was sponsored by Prudential and RW Barnabas Health.

(rear L) DeForrest B. Soaries, Jr., Board Chairman CEO of Dfree Global Foundation
Club President Dave Brown,
Members Terry Janeczek and Marianne Powers

Club members Ken Gittell & Paul Peacock

(L-R) Club member Terry Janeczek, Ebike raffle winner Dr. Watts from NYC, and club President Dave Brown.

E-bike was donated to dfree FinFe$t for their raffle by the Rotary Club of Greater Long Branch.

Rotary at Long Branch Halloween at Jack-O-Lantern Woods

Congratulations to the City of Long Branch for a spooktacular Halloween event at Jackson Woods.
Great costumes, BBQ, refreshments and DJ provided by the city. The attendance seemed to be much more than last year.

We all had a fun time volunteering at the event. The kids got loads of candy and there were plenty of frightening moments. The joy on their faces made it worthwhile. Below are some photos of Rotarians, family and friends.

Rotary Halloween at Jack-O-Lantern Woods event chairperson Marianne Powers and club president Dave Brown

October 25, 2024

Pres. Dave Brown with guest speakers Rev Shaunda Sutton, youth pastor for the Clearview Baptist Church, Newark. N.J, and Tasha Youngblood Brown, Board Trustee and

Vice-chair at Monmouth University, Finance chair for L.B. Board of Education.

Ms. Brown and Ms. Sutton discussed in length the urgent need to educate the community about financial and health awareness and services available. FinFest, an admission free event is sponsored by the Monmouth County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and supported by Prudential and RWJ Barnabas. The mission of the festival is to empower attendees to create “Wealth Protected by Health”.
Reverend Sutton related some of the free details of the event. Along with the free admission is free food, raffles and door prizes, financial advice, many health workshops and linkage to care and social services. A $500 cash prize will be awarded to the organization or individual that brings the most attendees. Flyers about the event were distributed to everyone.

FINFE$T

Copy of Festival of Trees

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 15TH

To purchase your tree click on link below:

https://www.crsadmin.com/eventportal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=c55704b5-3cd7-4acc-b61f-20ad2f105dae

Power In Our Connections

October 11, 2024

Speaker: (L)Anthony P, Mauro, SR - author, entrepreneur and songwriter being thanked by Pres. Dave Brown

for his eye-opening presentation

Highlights - Anthony Mauro’s book “Caring for Carol by Caring for Me” is a memoir recounting the emotional journey of caring for his wife Carol through her battle with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), a form of dementia. The memoir highlights the couple’s struggles with misdiagnoses and the profound loses caused by this form of dementia. The narrative explains the emotional, physical, social and financial challenges they faced. The memoir shares his personal method of dealing with the sorrow, illness and changes we all encounter. The memoir also relates his remarkable journey of overcoming his battle with anxiety, depression and panic disorder during his youth. The narrative is a resource for anyone seeking solace and guidance while navigating the adversities of dementia.