Often, meeting these needs involves partnering with other Rotary clubs—locally and in other parts of the world—as well as with other organizations here in the Princeton area. Over the years, the Rotary Club of Princeton has joined hands with a number of local organizations—as wide in scope of service from the Boy Scouts of Princeton to Habitat for Humanity to Mercer Alliance for the Mentally Ill to S.A.V.E. in order to improve our communities and the lives of all the people of Central New Jersey. Over the past several years, we’ve partnered specifically with the Princeton organizations listed below. Rotary projects serve all ages, from infants to senior citizens, and work to alleviate problems from illiteracy to drug abuse to hunger and homelessness.
1. Sponsorship and support of the Interact Club at Princeton High School, offering high school students the opportunity to complete community service projects which further international understanding and goodwill
2. Sponsorship of the Rotaract Club at Princeton University, as these college students address physical and social needs in the community while promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service
3. Community Works: an annual program for nonprofit organizations, attended by over 300 people each year—see www.princetoncommunityworks.org
4. Annual scholarships for Princeton High School graduates, with a focus on vocational and technical programs
5. Joint program with The Crisis Ministry of Princeton and Trenton to contribute personal care packages at Holidays
6. Multi-year “First Library” program in the Princeton Nursery School and YWCA Nursery School, providing books for the children to take home
7. Purchase of classroom computers for the Princeton Nursery School
INTERNATIONAL
1. Fundraising for Children’s Chemotherapy Center in Bangalore, India
2. Funds donated to ShelterBox USA to provide emergency shelter to more than 70 families in response to earthquakes in Haiti and Japan
3. Multi-year “Your Children Our Children” project in Tucuman, Argentina to equip a maternity hospital and provide books to the area schools
4. Raised funds to purchase materials to build 350 ecotoilets in Oaxaca, Mexico (one of the largest projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Princeton in 2001-2002)
5. Contributions to Casa de las Mujeres, a health and education center for women and children in Managua, Nicaragua, Princeton's sister city
6. Fund raising for sister Rotary Club in Bangalore, India for school lunches for several years
VOCATIONAL
1. Annual “Bridging the Gap” program for high school students on preparing a business plan
2. Vocational Service awards given to business professionals in recognition of their adherence to Rotary ideals
CLUB SERVICE
1. Fund Raising: Annual Pancake Festival, Friends of Rotary, Fundraising for special projects
