Carole Heaney has agreed to coordinate this year’s Easter Basket collections for the Circles of Mercy. Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane will purchase 25 baskets.
Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include:
coloring books, crayons, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals (age appropriate for 1 to 12 years old), toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped traditional candy.
We need the items for the baskets by Thursday April 10th. Richard had requested that we deliver the donations by April 14th so that Circles of Mercy can get them to their client families before the Easter holiday. Easter is on April 20th this year. If you cannot get your donations in by April 10th, Debbie Rodriguez will pick up your donation between April 11th and the morning of April 14th and deliver the donation to Circles of Mercy on April 14th.
Members in Attendance (11): Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Ray Hannan, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Andy Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Carol Heaney and Debbie Rodriguez.
By Zoom(0): Ruth Russell
Guests (1): Richard Zazycki
President Roberto Martinez called the meeting to order.
Theme for the year: Grow membership, do good in the world, leverage social capital, & have fun!
Meeting Notes:
Website Updates: The website needs some updating. Kevin is fixing the information.
Grant Update: The Global Grant was submitted on time under the previous district. Peter Brown received questions from Rotary International. The answers are to be provided by Jennifer Grymm of the Rotary Club in Kenya. He hopes to have the questions answered over the next two weeks and then receive final approval.
East Greenbush and Social Capital: The Club is proposing a cornhole tournament to raise funds for a school project. Peter Brown reached out to Jeff Simon, Superintendent for the East Greenbush School District regarding some potential projects. Terry Brewer, Jim Leyhene, Roberto Martinez and Ron Annis will meet on 9/25 to discuss the project.
Tax Status: No update this week.
Member Dues: According to Murray Forth, there are 2 outstanding.
Viking Gym: The Grand Opening was Saturday 9/14/24 at 1 pm at the Schodack Town Park. Kiwanis and Top Form, Rotary and Charles Peter, Schodack Town Supervisor, along with other Town employees were present. See the post on 9/14.
Rotary Leadership Institute ( rlinea.org ): The next training is in Verona, NY. Per Roberto Martinez, the Club will pay the $75 fee for any member who wants to attend.
CNY Event: Took place this evening at Huck Finns. The Rotary Area 22 Event included Albany, Cohoes, Colonie-Guilderland, Southern Rensselaer and the Delmar Club.
Gift of Life Golf Tournament: The Club will follow-up with Dean and Doris Calamaras.
Membership: Membership is ongoing.
Speakers: Needed for this year.
World Polio Day: It is on October 24th. Roberto Martinez will check with the School of Public Health.
Benefit Concert: Phil Kellerman has a local and a band from Florida. He is looking for a venue.
Cafe Capriccio: Andy Leyhane and Jim Leyhane are contacting the Cafe regarding a fundraiser.
Rotary Presidential Peace Conference: To be held February 20-22, 2025 at the Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel and Conference Center in Istanbul, Turkey. Register at rotery.org/istanbul25.
Next Meeting: Thursday, September 26 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. RPI Professor Dr. Chris Bystroff will speak about voting machines.
Entry Choices will be Rustica Salid, Eggplant Pharm and Spaghetti and Meatballs
Circles of Mercy
Richard Zazycki
Richard Zazycki is President and CEO of Circles of Mercy, a not-for-profit located at 11 Washington Street in Rensselaer. Mr. Zazycki is the only full-time employee. There are approximately 75 to 100 volunteers. They have a budget of approximately $165,000 per year. The funding is raised through donations and fundraising activities. Established in 1997, September 24th will mark their 26th year of providing services and programs to the Rensselaer Community.
SRC Rotary participates annually in the Circle of Mercy’s three main outreach programs: back to school supplies, adopt-a-family, and Easter baskets. Over 165 students received new back packs and school supplies. Other programs include: Catherine’s Closet and VITA. Catherine’s Closet thrift store is open Monday through Friday from 10 am until 2 pm for shopping. Donations can be dropped off between 10:30. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Program begins the last week in January. Last year, 38 volunteers donated 2,700 hours of service and saved clients over $299,000 in commercial prep fees.
Circle of Mercy’s three main fundraisers each year are the Irish Night in June, the Taste of Mercy gala in June and the Walk for Mercy with Maria College this month. To find out more about Circle of Mercy to go http://www.circlesofmercy.org.
Thanks to Debbie Rodriguez for setting up this week’s Summer Casual: A Night at the Joe with the Valley Cats. Unfortunately, the event was cancelled at the last minute because of the weather. We will check on rescheduling the event for maybe the 22nd of August since that date is open.
On Thursday, August 15, Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez are hosting a Pizza Party as a fundraiser at DEBBIE’s house. Start time will be 6pm. Family members are invited and the pool is open. If you plan on attending, please contact Debbie or Pat and let them know you will be coming.
For August 22, 2024, we are still seeking an event or host for a Summer Casual.
Other:
SRC Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday August 13th at 6pm at Roberto’s. Sandwiches will be served.
Thanks to all who have submitted their annual dues! There are a few who have not, and we will be reaching out to them.
Please don’t forget the Circles of Mercy Back to School Program. This is an annual event and collections end on August 18th. Carole Heaney is collecting at our events so that you don’t need to deliver to Circles of Mercy in person. Roberto and Jim have also agreed on the collections. 48 backpacks have been secured so no need for more backpacks at this time. The list is below.
The Gift of Life CNY Golf Tournament is September 9th.
We are thrilled to invite you to participate in our upcoming CNY Gift of Life Golf Tournament, taking place on MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 at the picturesque Fairways of Halfmoon. This special event is more than just a day of golf—it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children who need life-saving heart surgeries.
Gift of Life is dedicated to providing cardiac care to children in need, and your participation in this tournament will help us continue this vital mission. Every swing, putt, and cheer will contribute to saving a child’s life and giving them a healthier, brighter future. For questions: https://www.giftoflife7190.org/events/
Lois Hannan has agreed, once again, to coordinate this year’s Easter Basket collections for the Circles of Mercy. Roberto and Jim Leyhane purchased 25 baskets and delivered them to the YMCA. Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include:
coloring books, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals, toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy.
Lois will be in Moscatiello’s parking lot this Thursday, February 8th, at 6 pm to collect any donations.
Shannon needs the items for the baskets by March 18th so she can get the baskets to Richard by March 22nd. Easter is on March 31st this year.
Lois Hannan, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Jim Leyhane, Richard Zazycki (Executive Director of Circles of Mercy), and Roberto Martinez.
A delivery of gifts donated to our adopted family was made last Wednesday, December 13. The final delivery was made today. Thank you to all who donated this year. A special thank you to Debbie Brown for all of her help with collecting the donations and to Kevin Leyhane for posting the wish list and keeping it updated.
Once again, SRC Rotary and the East Greenbush YMCA are partnering to support Circles of Mercy and their annual Easter Basket Program. We would like to provide for 25 baskets this year.
Circles of Mercy is asking that cellophane wrapped Easter baskets include the following items: coloring books, crayons, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste and toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs and brushes, age appropriate (1 to 12 years old) small stuffed animals, toys, small games, or reading books, and of course various different types of traditional wrapped candy.
Items may be dropped off at the YMCA or collected at each Club meeting. The last collection day for our Club will be the regular Club meeting on Thursday March 30, 2023. Circles of Mercy will also take monetary donations which they will use towards this project.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (13): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, and Dick Drumm, By Zoom: Murray Forth.
GUESTS (1): Richard Zazycki
President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.
MEETING NOTES:
Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.”
Hybrid Meeting: Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.
Proxy Votes: If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.
Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family: Once again, members provided all the gifts from both family’s lists along with additional gift cards. All gifts were delivered to Circles of Mercy on December 19, 2022. We are looking forward to continuing this Holiday tradition in 2023.
Holiday Party: Thank you to everyone that invited guests and supported the gift basket auction. The auction raised $675 dollars.
Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Tickets for a dinner for 12 at Cafe Capriccio are still available from Andy Leyhane. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. The drawing is planned for January 19th. The dinner will be held sometime in February on a date mutually agreeable with the Restaurant and the raffle winner.
Student Exchange Program: Peter Brown and Jim Leyhane will be meeting with Jeff Simons, Superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District, next week.
Guest Speakers and Calendar: The calendar has been updated and we are looking to book speakers for the upcoming year: If you know someone that would be interested, please reach out to Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown or Becky Raymond.
Next Meeting: Thursday, January 12, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page.
Entree choices will be Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Caesar Salad or Chicken Marsala.
Circles of Mercy
Richard Zazycki, Executive Director of Circles of Mercy, spoke about the services and programs provided to the Rensselaer Community.
During 2021, Circles of Mercy assisted “over 1,600 clients who required over 7,000 service transactions.” The thrift store Catherine’s Closet provided more than 150 grants for clothing for adults and children and for baby supplies. For every dollar donated, 87 cents go directly to programs and services. Due to COVID, they were unable to conduct the Walk for Mercy and the Irish Night Out, two of their major fundraisers.
Through the Cate’s Kid Program, Cirles of Mercy collaborate with other non-profit agencies such as the Rensselaer School District, the Rensselaer Boyes and Girls Club, the Rensselaer Street Soldiers, and the CEO Rensselaer Family Resource Center’s Head Start Program. They are able to share resources and/or donated materials.
Eight grade students from the Doane Stuart School in Rensselaer participate in the “First Friday Club” where they come to Circles of Mercy once a month to perform community service.
In partnership with the IRS, the annual VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program will begin on or after January 23rd. Low-income clients and seniors will be able to access both in-person and virtual tax preparation services. Last year “377 tax returns filed resulted in combined refunds and tax credits of $524,565.”
A collection of Easter baskets created from donations to SRC and the Greenbush YMCA was delivered to Circles of Mercy headquarters today.
A team of volunteers from the club and the Y finished assembling the baskets on Thursday at the Y. Thanks to all who were involved including Lois Hannan who headed up the club’s effort and Shannon Romanowski who headed up the Y’s effort.
Part of the basket assembly brigade. From left: Jim Leyhane, Lois Hannan, Charlie Foote, Roberto Martinez, Shannon Romanowski.Volunteers parcel out basket items.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 