September 2026
Three elementary school students receive Good Citizenship Award at April meeting
Please join us for an evening of cocktails, delectable hors d’oeuvres, tapas, and a sumptuous Viennese dessert table as we confer Scholarship awards to
3 SPEECH CONTEST WINNERS
from Union High School
We will also present the Rotary Excellence in Education Award to two of the Township of Union Public Schools'
Farmer's Cafe
a student-run cafe providing real-world job training in food service and hospitality
Corey Baker, Lauren Kohn, Keyla Puerto Sevilla.
Copy That
A student-operated print shop + copy center offering hands-on learning and training in graphic arts production.
Thomas Green, Dayana Langley, Dana Meixner
Posthumously to Salvatore Dovi
honoring his commitment to education & our community, and his longstanding support of
ROTARY’S MARVIN ORELLA
SPEECH CONTEST
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
at 5:30 p.m.
Galloping Hill Caterers
Five Points, Union, NJ
Donation: $95 per person
GUESTS CAN BUY TICKETS HERE
RSVP by May 26, 2026.
Super 50-50. (Click option below to purchase)
Super Cash Raffle Book
Super Cash Raffle Individual Ticket
Sponsorships available (Click option below to purchase)
Full Page Journal Ad, Half Page Journal Ad, Quarter Page Journal Ad
This event is open to the public to hear the speeches and celebrate as the winners are announced. To help raise additional funds, there will be a 50/50 raffle and an Ad Journal. Members can register on the left with the Red Box. Guests, please use the payment link under event links to complete your registration and payments. You can even order raffle tickets and pay for sponsorships with the links on our event page.
UNION, NJ - The Rotary Club of Union chose Union's Senior Citizens Center as the focus of its January benefit drive. After Senior Center Supervisor Maria Terrezza said that ShopRite gift cards are especially helpful for seniors, Rotary Club members donated $280 in gift cards. Additionally, Jodi Pelano of the Wellness YMCA donated 50 pairs of Bombas socks to help keep the seniors warm this winter.
During a recent meeting, Rotary Club members also wrote Valentine’s Day cards to brighten the seniors' season.
Terrezza expressed her gratitude for the kindness and generosity shown by the members of the Rotary Club of Union.
Julian Hurdato-Marquez, Dakota Johnson and September Keleher were the recent elementary school recipients of the Herb Singe Good Citizenship Student Awards award. This recognizes students who consistently demonstrate kindness, respect, fairness, and selflessness. Recipients are known for putting others first, being truthful and respectful, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment through their actions and words. These students go above and beyond to care for the needs of others, earning the admiration of peers, teachers, and administrators alike.
Dakota Johnson was introduced by her principal, Dr. Baskerville-Williams of Franklin School, who said Dakota is a leader through and through, always ready to suggest and follow through on ideas.
Julian Hurtado-Marquez's teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Watanabe of Battle Hill School, said Julian is full of positive energy and makes a great difference in the school.
September Keleher impressed her teacher, Mrs. Andrea Vaynberg of Hannah Caldwell School, because of her upbeat outlook on everything. When the students and staff had to relocate, September viewed it as a positive adventure and spread that positivity to others.
Donna Steinmetz, president of the Rotary Club, asked the children what compels them to be so kind and giving. Responses varied from the example set by their parents to doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. She stated that both parents and the community should be so proud of these young leaders.
Pictured are Dakota Johnson, September Keleher and Julian Hurtado-MarquezBernadette Griswold and Josh Bradley of Community Access Unlimited shared with members of the Rotary Club of Union many of the good works CAU performs in Union County. Since 1976 CAU, a 501(c)3 organization, has supported adults with disabilities ranging in age from 21 to 90+. In Union County alone, they have 270 housing units for those in need and 63 group homes. CAU educates youth at risk who will age out of the foster care system, offers a GED and Day Care program as well as employment services. Through CAU, adults with special needs are able to live as independently as possible and contribute to the community. Through housing, employment, community support, continuing education and advocacy, CAU helps families and caregivers as well as those with disabilities. One of many offerings is a culinary hospitality training program, T*eat*ch Cafe, 80 West Grand Street, Elizabeth, which is open to the public. The members of the Rotary were so impressed with the work and passion of the CAU that they hope to hold a meeting / social evening at the Cafe to support this organization.
Our club sent one member from Union High School Interact this year. Check it out...
The Rotary Club of Union, following the motto of Service Above Self, holds monthly drives. During November, Club members held a food drive to benefit the Union Food Pantry. Members collected food at their places of business or sent it to Hillmann Consulting, who also support Rotary drives. A generous Rotarian donated $500 so that 50 ShopRite gift cards could be purchased. So much food was donated that the bags filled a pick-up truck! The food was delivered to Nicole Leavey and Mary Fox, pictured, at the Clerk's Office at Town Hall for distribution to our township residents who are in need during the cold winter months.
The Socktober Drive of 2023 was a phenomenal success!
The Interact Club at Union High School, under the direction of Dr. Ed
Boffa, is a club of students dedicated to active service for the good of
the school and community. The Socktober drive began in 2019 when
the UHS Interact Club decided to hold a sock drive for a homeless shelter in Orange.
Boffa, is a club of students dedicated to active service for the good of
the school and community. The Socktober drive began in 2019 when
the UHS Interact Club decided to hold a sock drive for a homeless shelter in Orange.
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Download the website sponsorship guide
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1980 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
United States