Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty-Eight Years  June 28, 1958-2026

 

SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person
Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
The Frank Olean Center
93 Airport Road
Westerly, RI 02891
United States of America
Phone:
(401) 315-5868
Please call ahead if visiting. Dinners are ordered by Saturday and delivered just before meeting. Contact Jeff at 518.469.6988 or Derin 401.787.5575
Home Page Stories
 
Linda Wilkinson was our guest this past Monday evening. She shared an update on the work taking place at Chikumbuso. Linda was the founder of the project just over twenty years ago. In the years since that fateful day when she felt the call to do something, it has grown and touched the lives of thousands of children, widows, and whole families. Today it serves over 300 students in the K-7th grade school. 150 of those students receive scholarships. The Chikumbuso Project also supports 109 students in college. The project has also helped 300 single mothers get trained in making baskets, handbags and clothing. A number of them have formed micro-businesses and raised themselves out of poverty. One of the latest ministries to emerge is the grandmother outreach program which provides visits and support along with the basic necessities to members of the elder population. 
 
Linda said that the contributions made to the project achieved the following results in 2026;
  • Educated and supported 400 primary and secondary students
  • Continued the fight against hunger, serving 40,000 healthy lunches annually
  • Supported 94 college and trade school students; 196 have graduated as of this year
  • Expanded our Buehler Farm's contribution to food security and healthy lunches
  • Provided safety and stability to 18 girls in our Safe Haven
  • Created opportunities for 50 artists to create and sell their handcrafted products
  • Cared for 18 grandmothers with food, medical assistance, and well check visits
 
Alcino Almeida, Veteran of the US Air Force and Civil Air Patrol AND former Rotarian, was introduced this evening by Rona Mann at the Westerly Armory's Annual Appreciation Evening.  Other honorees included William Bruce Tuckerman (US Navy), Raymond Capalbo (US Marines) and George Greer (RI National Guard).  Al served our Club as President 1988 to 1989 and is also a Paul Harris Fellow.
  Stonington Rotary Club, Nov2025
This year our annual Football Night dinner for Stonington and Westerly Football Teams will be hosted by Stonington Rotary.  The venue will be held on Monday 23 November, 6pm,  at The Hounds on Route 1 and dinner will be catered by the Dog Watch Cafe.  Cost will be $30 per person.  Please advise Steve or Rose if attending by Nov 18.
Meetings will be in person 
2 Nov:       Board meeting 4:00 (Annual visit from PPG); dinner 5:30
9 Nov:       Pasta Dinner to benefit Jonnycake Ctr's Fuel Assistance Fund
11 Nov:     Veterans Day - Remembrance and Honor
14 Nov:     Foundation Showcase 12:00pm, Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket
                  Westerly/Pawcatuck Veterans Day Parade
16 Nov:     NO meeting 
18 Nov:     Pot Luck Area11 Dinner with DG Nicole at S Kingstown Elks Lodge
                  60 Belmont Ave, Wakefield, 5:30pm
23 Nov:     Football Night at The Hounds, 6pm, $30 pp, advise Steve by 18 Nov
30 Nov:     David Zapatka, Dir of Photography for US Lighthouse Society
7 Dec:       Board meeting 4:30/ Annual Meeting at Shelter Harbor Inn
14 Dec:     Nov & Dec Students of the Month
23 Feb:     Jan & Feb Students of the Month
3 May:      Mar & Apr Students of the Month
Steve, John and Bob leading us in The Rotary Welcome Song written by Rotarian Ed Smalley
 
Rotarian Bob Boughner is at home in Kalamazoo with Hospice Care.  Please keep Bob and Marty in your prayers.  
 
Food Collection Program
Remember those in need and bring canned goods either to meeting or to Avie's Ski/Sport by month's end.   These items will be distributed to The Jonnycake Center of Westerly and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.   Since 18 March 2020, we have assisted local residents with transportation issues by making home deliveries of food and medicine through the Jonnycake Center.  To date we have made 366 deliveries.
 
Club Home -   We are meeting at The Frank Olean Center next to Rotary Park, Monday, 5:30pm.   Rose will send the sandwich/salad menu on or about Wednesday for the next Monday meeting; respond to ra.russo@cox.net by Sunday Noon.  If you don't receive a reply within 24 hours, please contact her again.  Please respond whether ordering or not as it will help us to know how many will be attending meeting.
 
Wishing Well at McQuade's Marketplace
Latest trip to empty the wishing well on 4/7/26 garnered a total of $995.64, bringing total registered since 2009 $16,100.59.
 
Brick Walk
Also in process is the Brick Walk at Rotary Park.  We have partnered with an organization called Bricks R Us.  The committee met 15 January 2025 to outline a plan - a brick walk pathway from parking lot to entrance of Children's Garden - about 900 bricks.  Website to purchase:  bricksrus.com/donorsite/rotaryclubofwesterly and brochures and flyers are available from Club members and at member stores.  The flyer is also available on our website - see "Download files".  First phase of installation will begin early November.  
 
Since launching the PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary and our partners have made incredible progress toward eradicating polio. We’ve celebrated vaccination milestones, cheered as regions of the world were certified polio-free, and contained wild poliovirus to just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

But polio anywhere will always be a threat to children everywhere. We made a promise to the children of the world: One day, they won’t have to fear being paralyzed by polio.

This is why it’s so important for Rotary and Rotaract clubs to use World Polio Day on 24 October as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds. Explore the resources below and use them to inform your community about the incredible progress we’ve made toward eradicating this disease.

World Polio Day is only a few weeks away, and we want to know what your club is doing. Whether you’re hosting your own activity or participating in a district or zone event, tell us about it! To eradicate polio, we need everyone’s support.

Together, we end polio.
 
      Peace & Justice Committee of Rotary Club of Westerly     
Our Vision:  We seek to create, locally and globally, a culture of peace in which the inherent worth and dignity of every living being is honored and respected and conflicts are resolved nonviolently.
                                                                                                                             
Our Mission:  To create activities, programs and projects focused on creating a culture of peace as well as working with other community groups and organizations engaged in similar endeavors.
Link to Frank Thacker's Daily Peacemaker:  www.DailyPeacemaker.com - https://youtu.be/zEoUjaT7Ng8
 
International Day of Peace Program at the Westerly Library - 21 September 2026
      
 
Peace Pole dedication 22Oct2018
  
  at Rotary Park
 
"Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are and Something you give away."
   
The lockbox above was installed on John Street -  it's location must be easy to find and close to the front door for quick access by First Responders.  Happily I was working in my garden last week when two officers stopped by to check on my lockbox.  All was well there.  They told me that they have "rescued" a few lockboxes that were no longer needed so they could be reused at another residence.  How very efficient!!!
If you know of someone who is "at risk" and can benefit from having a lockbox installed at their home, please contact the Westerly Police Department at the non-emergency Phone Number 401.596.2022.  Our lockboxes are provided to residents, as needed, free of charge.  Also, if other groups wish to donate lockboxes to the Westerly Police Department, please purchase them from McQuade's Ace Hardware.  We are being awarded special pricing and have delivered 93 lockboxes.
      
We began our Food Collection Program during the covid crisis in 2020.  Our purpose was to help to keep the Jonnycake Center of Westerly and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center stocked with canned goods and other non-perishable food products during that difficult time.  We even made deliveries to homes when necessary.  But, we didn't stop when the crisis was over because there are still folks who need our help.  When you are shopping, please keep our neighbors in mind.  Watch for sale items and set some aside for the food collection.  Bring them down to Avie's Ski/Sport Shop and Ted will get the goods collected to the centers monthly.
 
18 Mar 2025 marked five years that our Club "had been making food and health item deliveries to area residents who are elderly, infirm, or without transportation.  Although the pace has slowed a bit, the need is still great."  Rona reports that 363 deliveries have been made since the program began in 2020. 
Your generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to securing and growing Rotary programs throughout the world. Consider making your Every Rotarian, Every Year contribution of $25, $100 or more as early as possible. If you send your contribution directly to Rotary Foundation, please let Rose know.  The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating - FOUR STARS - from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. - ranked #4 in the top ten best charities list. 
 
The Polio Plus Society of District 7950
Pledge to help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute $100 or more each year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated because Until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.  Society members will received a PolioPlus Society membership pin and certificate.  Your contribution qualifies for Paul Harris Recognition and Major Donor Credit.  To make your tax-deductible donation go to my.rotary.org/donate and click on "Polio Fund".  Payment should be made payable to Rotary Foundation and give to Rose for proper handling.      
 
15 Rotarians have already contributed to EREY and 18 to Polio Plus this current year.       
Rotary strives to create and maintain an experience for members and participants that reflects our fundamental values, empowers people to contribute at their fullest potential, and celebrates people as they are.  Our core values - service, fellowship, diversity, integrity and leadership - align with our commitment to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment for all.
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Immediate Past President
Rotary Foundation
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date:
  • John Hall
    November 1, 1986
    40 years
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Rotary projects around the globe – November 2026
Rotary projects around the globe – November 2026
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Canada, the Cayman Islands, Wales, India, and Indonesia.
The RYLA effect
The RYLA effect
A weekend in the Wisconsin woods sparks new perspectives on leadership for dozens of high school students in District 6250.
Picturing polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann
Picturing polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann
For years, polio pioneer Dorothy Horstmann stood in the shadow of great men like Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin. Now she’s ready for her close-up.
Cross-generational club in Barcelona feels like extended family
Cross-generational club in Barcelona feels like extended family
The Rotary Club of Barcelona-Diagonal is focused on building bridges between generations.
Fight online misinformation this World Polio Day
Fight online misinformation this World Polio Day
Members of the International PolioPlus Committee seek to counter false narratives
Mailing Address:  Rotary Club of Westerly, PO Box 407, Westerly RI 02891