News of this New York State club that practices "Service Above Self"
Author: SRCrotary
A volunteer service club located in Rensselaer County, NY, that is part of Rotary International, the 1.23 million-member international organization of men and women serving their community and their world.
We will be meeting again on Thursday October 9 at 6 pm. Carole and I will be guiding us towards finalization of selected service projects including fund-raising.
In other news, Friday, October 10 from 7-9 pm at the Hope Lutheran Church, 470 Winter Street Extension, Troy, NY 12180. This will be the second benefit by Enjoyous for the St. Paul’s Center. Light refreshments will be provided along with an array of raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction. Suggested donation: $15.
On Saturday October 18 from 9-12 A “Stuff the Bus” event will occur at Maple Hill School to collect food for the Anchor Food Bank.
In addition, to support the food bank, On October 25-26, Hoffman’s Car Wash in East Greenbush will be collecting food, and in exchange, you can get a free wash.
Members in Attendance (13): Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Laurie Pferr, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Carol Heaney, Charlie Foote, Dick Drumm, Mary Alice Calden and Terry Brewer.
By Zoom(0):Guests (0):
President Phil Kellerman called the meeting to order. Theme for the year: Unite for Good
Meeting Notes:
Community Project: Per Peter, members of SCR Rotary met with the East Greenbush and discussed the backpack project. They identified materials they want to purchase using the distract grant.
Food Pantry: Concerns-U needs volunteer drivers to pick up donations. On October 18th, Maple Hill will hold the Stuff the Bus food drive from 9 am until 12 pm. On October 25 and 26, Hoffmans will provide free car washes with donations of food.
Global Grant: Per Peter Brown, the participants in Kenya would like to redirect funding to a project to harvest water from the school’s metal roof. They have to produce a needs assessment, plan and estimate of cost. They will be meeting again in a few weeks. The Rotary Foundation would like to keep the focus on potable water.
Star of Hope: Terry Brewer gave an update on the project. He met with Dr. Kotes, Superintendent of the East Greenbush School District. He is still interested in moving the memorial to Columbia High School. Rotary needs to remove the existing stones.
Miscellaneous: Per Roberto Martinez: the Hatie Eye Clinic now has its tax-exempt status and is accepting donations. World Polio Day is October 24th.
Budget: Thank you to Carole and Terry for helping with this year’s budget. There was a discussion on projects and fundraising. Per Phil, be prepared to discuss your three priorities at the next meeting.
Next Meeting: The next meeting is Thursday, October 9th at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page.
This Thursday, September 25, 2025 we will be having our in person meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00pm. During the meeting a proposed budget will be presented and there will be time to discuss our service projects for the upcoming year and aligning those projects to Rotary’s seven major goals. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Our next meeting will be Thursday, September 25 at 6 pm at Moscatiellos. A proposed budget will be presented and there will be time to discuss service projects for the future according to Rotary’s seven major goals.
On Monday, September 22 a meeting about the East Greenbush Backpack Program will be held at 1 pm in the school district conference room. For more information, please contact Peter Brown.
Today, the 16th, I met with Paula Sancomb, Director of the Anchor Food Bank in Castleton. The food bank is in desperate need of the following: boxed instant mashed potatoes; egg noodles; soups; cereals; saltine crackers; and peanut butter. If you have any of these or other staples, please bring them our meeting on September 25, and I will make sure the food bank gets them.
On Saturday October 18th, Maple Hill School is having a “Stuff the Bus” event form 9-12 to fill a school bus with food donations for the Anchor Food Bank.
In addition on Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26, Hoffman’s Car Wash in East Greenbush will be accepting food for the food bank. In exchange, get a free car wash!
Members in Attendance (14): Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Laurie Pferr, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Carol Heaney, Charlie Foote, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane and Kevin Leyhane.
By Zoom(0):Guests (0):
President Phil Kellerman called the meeting to order.
Theme for the year: Unite for Good
Meeting Notes:
Rotary Areas of Focus: Carole Heaney spoke about our Club projects and where they fit into the areas of focus and about engaging the community.
Global Grant: Per Peter Brown, there were two meetings with the people from Kenya these past weeks. A school has been identified for the water capture project which will cost less than available funds. They have asked for toilets funded by the remaining funds. They need an assessment for the project, an agreement with the school and proof the dry hole was plugged.
St. Pauls Women and Children’s Center: the band is playing a benefit Ocr. 10th and Phil needs to speak to Lori.
Community Project: The next meeting for the backpack project will be on 9/22 at 1 pm.
District Grant: Per Roberto Martinez, the district grant for 2026 was approved.
CNY: Peter Brown will speak at the Ballston Spa/Burnt Hills Rotary about social capital.
Next Meeting: The next meeting is Thursday, September 25th at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page.
Our first official meeting of our new year will be this Thursday, September 11 at Moscatiello’s at 6 pm. Carole Heaney and I will be presenting on establishing projects to serve the community and world at large. Please remember that since we will be meeting every two weeks that our second meeting will be Thursday September 25.Hope to see you Thursday to start off a great year!
Correction, due to the Labor day Holiday we are off this week. Our much awaited return to Moscatiello’s will take place next Thursday, September 11, 2025 at 6:00 pm. Looking froward to seeing everyone next Thursday. Sorry for the confusion.
This Thursday, September 4, 2025 The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its first in person meeting following a very successful Summer Casual Event season. The meeting will take place at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant located on Route 4 in North Greenbush beginning at 6:00. We will try to make the meeting hybrid using the Zoom Link located on the calendar page. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
A good time was had by all who attended Game Night at the home of Carole and Tom Heaney. Delicious desserts were served and $210 was raised for the Backpack Program for the East Greenbush School District to provide needed weekend food for students. Thank you Carole and Tom!
September is right around the corner which means our first official meeting will be Thursday at 6 pm on September 11th at Moscatiellos.
Prior to this, tomorrow and Thursday, at Circles of Mercy, more backpacks with school supplies will be organized for needy students in Rensselaer. Once again, thanks to all club members who donated supplies.
On Thursday, August 28, Carole Heaney will be hosting a Family and Friends Social at her house featuring games, music and dessert beginning at 6:00pm. $25 suggested donation to support the East Greenbush Central School District Backpack. Program. Please Contact Carole to reserve your seat.
We have a new CNY Rotary president: Bob Balk. For more information, please visit www.cnyrotary.org.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 