In this story, I hope to answer some of the deep, dark and mysterious things about Rotary that perhaps you were afraid to ask or maybe just didn't know who to ask!
Click this link to get some in-depth information about Rotary. But I will also give you some real Rotarian insights!
Who is Rotary?
Every year, 1.1 million people around the world work hard to improve their communities through Rotary. Rotary is people. Plain and simple. People who want to get together and do something for their community. Rotarians are people of actions who want to become part of a larger group to make a bigger splash in a big pond.
What is Rotary?
Rotary is broken down into clubs. Each club is a local organization that is made up of local people who want to do good in their community!
In the age of making money and the soft sell, let me confirm to you what it is NOT! It is not a pyramid scheme or way to make money. We are not going to ask you to sign up a friend, so they can sign up a friend. We don't sell makeup, groceries or anything else.
We perform service. It is an organization that wants to give back to the community. To join, you must be committed to helping your neighbors, friends, and community and make that fabric stronger, tighter and more connected through service tasks, fundraisers and community outreach.
Our particular club meets on Tuesdays for breakfast at 7:30 am. If you asked any of our 30 something members what Rotary is, you might get 30 answers. We would, however, all agree on one thing - it is a place where we start off our day laughing, hooting and hollering about something - sometimes meaningless and trivial and other times serious. I've been in this Rotary for a few years now and I was hooked from day one. Mostly because I left the meeting laughing and giggling. People have often told me - "that's insane, 7:30? I can't do that". But in the few years I have been a member, almost everyone who has expressed an interest leaves laughing and comes back to join. Of course, each club determines when and where they meet. Some for dinner, others for lunch. Find a club that meets in the time frame you need!
Where are these "so called" clubs?
Ok, let's not get the wrong idea. There are no secret passwords. No funny hats. You do get some very fine pins though. There are tens of thousands of clubs worldwide. In the US, there over 7500 clubs! You can always find one at Rotary.org, but as you drive around - look for signs with the Rotary wheel on it! They will usually tell you where and when the club meets. Our little club meets at the Patterson Rec Center with a great breakfast!
Do I have to sell cookies or raffles? Do I have to tell you the name of all my friends? What are you going to ask me to do?
The short answer is - you do have to be engaged in what your club wants to achieve. You give what you can. For me, sometimes I make a joke or I laugh. I don't claim to have any special talents so I volunteer to keep our events clean by taking out the garbage. It might not be glamorous for sure - but you would notice if you came to an event and it was strewn with junk! Ok..I digress.
What do you have to do? We don't want any of your friends and families names. The fact is, some clubs may sell cookies or raffles. Others have events like dinners, music events with food or something to raise money so that we can give it back to the local non-profits that need it. You will be asked to help at those events - wherever your talent lies! Of course, if you want to take on a club function you can! If you join our club, you may even become president by just looking presidential - so watch out!
Whatever club you join - your role is governed by what YOU want to do - but you will have to do something. In reality, when you see the reward of giving away money or personal assistance to those that need it most - you will want to do more! And because it is local, you really feel connected to what is happening.
So What Else?
If I haven't convinced you to go to your local club or you have any unanswered questions - contact us! We are always looking for new members. Send an email to pattersonrotaryny@gmail.com or just show up Tuesday morning if you are in Patterson, NY or at ANY rotary club. You will be welcomed and ready to start on something big!
For more information about Rotary, see the link below:
Thanks for reading! Bob D..
Why join Rotary? What good can I do? What does Patterson Rotary do with the money they raise?
There are a lot of reasons why you shouldn’t show up at our 7:30AM meetings on Tuesdays. You could sleep in after all! Perhaps you are just to busy.
But when you give that hour a week you become part of a infectious group that strives to be People of Action. If that sounds like something of interest - take a look at what we did for our community during our Fall Giveaway.
Our small club is all about making our community stronger. To do that, we vet qualified groups that help our community and neighbors. These are all staffed by special people that want to help and feed the homeless in our community, provide resources for battered women, offer camp scholarships for those that can’t afford it, help our environment, stock a food pantry and so much more. Our giveaway may indeed touch thousands of lives in our community. Because of the funds we raise through our events, The Patterson Rotary was able to provide funds to the following groups:
Carmel FBLA
George Fisher Middle School "Camp Herrlich" Scholarships
Hospice Care of Putnam/Visiting Nurses
Love Holds Life
Matthew's Hearts of Hope
Matthew Patterson Elementary School "Camp Herrlich" *5 students*
Patterson Community Center Church Food Pantry
Putnam County Sheriff's Cadets
Putnam Dental Associates - Putnam Dental Missions
Putnam Ridge Christmas Gifts
Xeroderma Pigmentosum - Camp Sundown
We are proud to provide support to these many great causes and the people they help. Just as important to us is to keep our community involved. Come join us for breakfast on Tuesday’s! If you can’t - contact us at pattersonrotaryny@gmail.com to see what you can do to help. It takes a lot of effort to organize, staff and make our great events happen to raise money for these very worthy causes.
We are an all volunteer organization that wants to do good things and are always looking for new members to help!
Congratulations to all recipients of our Fall Giveaway. We thank you for all that you do for our community.
Little Kids, Big Kids, and Kids-at-Heart Showed Up to See the Trucks at Patterson Rotary’s TOUCH-A-TRUCK FOR HEROES
PATTERSON, NY - (10/11/2018) The Rotary Club of Patterson held it’s 4th Annual Touch-a-Truck for Heroes on Saturday, October 8th at Thunder Ridge Ski Area. Little kids, big kids, and kids-at-heart showed up to view, climb on, and honk the horns of big trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more!
“We’re grateful to Thunder Ridge Ski Area for allowing us to hold the event here for the third year in a row,” said Jason Maxwell, Patterson Rotarian/Touch-a-Truck Committee Chair. “Patterson Rotary’s goal is to provide a real ‘hands-on’ event for all members of the family and to help local veterans organizations raise awareness of all the good they do for local veterans and serving men and women. It’s a great day for families and for the community.”
Touch-a-Truck for Heroes provided free admission for all who attended, however donations were graciously accepted from kind and generous attendees. All proceeds collected will go directly to support local veterans projects. Patterson Rotarian, Penny Byron, brought the idea to the Club in 2015. “We wanted to host a community event specifically to raise funds for Veteran projects and programs in our area as a 'Thank You' for the freedoms we have because of their service.”
The veterans came out to show their support as well. PFC Joseph P. Dwyer - VET 2 VET of Putnam County, Brewster High School Semper Fi Club, My Brother Vinny, and the New York Riders were on-hand to meet attendees and share about their valuable organizations.
Patterson, Brewster and Pawling Fire Departments were onsite with their bright red trucks ready for action, and conducted a very realistic jaws-of-life car crash rescue demonstration for the crowd. Tremson Land Clearing also wowed onlookers with the skidder demonstration as the giant truck wielded its massive pincers to lift up a pile of fallen trees and moved them (and a car!) across the Thunder Ridge Ski Area field.
Event sponsor, Titan Concrete, brought their cement mixer and provided free face painting for very excited young attendees. The “Amaxx Children’s Construction Zone Play Area” was back again this year, with lots of toy trucks and sand to dig and doze.
“We’re grateful to Thunder Ridge Ski Area for allowing us to hold the event here for the third year in a row,” said Jason Maxwell, Patterson Rotarian/Touch-a-Truck Committee Chair. “Patterson Rotary’s goal is to provide a real ‘hands-on’ event for all members of the family and to help local veterans organizations raise awareness of all the good they do for local veterans and serving men and women. It’s a great day for families and for the community.”
Touch-a-Truck for Heroes provided free admission for all who attended, however donations were graciously accepted from kind and generous attendees. All proceeds collected will go directly to support local veterans projects. Patterson Rotarian, Penny Byron, brought the idea to the Club in 2015. “We wanted to host a community event specifically to raise funds for Veteran projects and programs in our area as a 'Thank You' for the freedoms we have because of their service.”
The veterans came out to show their support as well. PFC Joseph P. Dwyer - VET 2 VET of Putnam County, Brewster High School Semper Fi Club, My Brother Vinny, and the New York Riders were on-hand to meet attendees and share about their valuable organizations.
Patterson, Brewster and Pawling Fire Departments were onsite with their bright red trucks ready for action, and conducted a very realistic jaws-of-life car crash rescue demonstration for the crowd. Tremson Land Clearing also wowed onlookers with the skidder demonstration as the giant truck wielded its massive pincers to lift up a pile of fallen trees and moved them (and a car!) across the Thunder Ridge Ski Area field.
Event sponsor, Titan Concrete, brought their cement mixer and provided free face painting for very excited young attendees. The “Amaxx Children’s Construction Zone Play Area” was back again this year, with lots of toy trucks and sand to dig and doze.
Attending for the first time, was the Clock Tower Grill food truck which was a hit for hungry truck fans. Thanks to Brewster Pastry for providing the fresh, deliciously fragrant apple cider donuts and French Baguette Hot Dogs.
The Rotary Club of Patterson offers congratulations to all the winners of the toy raffles and 50/50 Draw and they look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s Touch-a-Truck for Heroes.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/touchatruckforheroes/ or www.PattersonRotary.org.
The Rotary Club of Patterson takes their motto, “Do Good and Have Fun”, very seriously.
Just a few days after donating thousands of dollars to the Brewster Emergency Shelter Partnership (BESP) and the Putnam County SPCA (to help with the purchase of a much-needed police vehicle), they hosted another successful Blues & BBQ Festival on September 15th & 16th.
And now they’re gearing up for the much anticipated Touch A Truck for Heroes on Saturday October 6th from 10:00am - 4:00pm at Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson. This year’s Touch A Truck is expected to be the club’s biggest, with more trucks and big rigs for kids (and kids-at-heart) to climb on - and more horns to honk! Local veteran support organizations will have informational display booths, and there will be a flag decommissioning ceremony for worn flags. The public is invited to take part by bringing worn flags.
Patterson Rotary began Touch A Truck in 2015 to raise money to purchase a shed for the local Putnam County Veterans’ home. It is now an annual event producing big smiles and a day of fun for the whole family. All proceeds support local Veteran projects. Entrance is FREE. Donations are welcome and there will raffles and a 50/50 draw.
At the end of October Patterson Rotary will load up a dump truck full of pumpkins and a carload of pumpkin donuts and apple cider for their Annual Fall Pumpkin Festival for children at The Fairmont School and Samara Community School in The Bronx. The event began as an idea that club member and Putnam residents, Jason Maxwell and his wife Hilda Delgado, brought to the Rotary Club of Patterson. Delgado teaches Pre-K at The Fairmont School. They felt that the children attending those particular schools were missing out on the childhood experience of pumpkin picking. The majority of children attending these schools live below the poverty line and would otherwise never have this experience. Many had never even seen a pumpkin outside of pictures and media.
Two days later Patterson Rotary Club will be at it again, this time for their Fall Giveaway on October 30th. The semi-annual event (formerly the February Giveaway) is one of the main reasons for all the fundraisers, festivals, and events that the club hosts. Twice a year, in spring and (now) fall, Patterson Rotary gives away thousands of dollars to local Putnam County charities and non-profit organizations. Past recipients include CoveCare Center, Putnam County SPCA, Women’s Resource Center, Help Our Military Heroes, NY Riders, local scholarships for high school students and summer camps, and many more.
To end the fall season, members of Patterson Rotary will come together again in November, to do good and have fun. This time the club will pack up about 35 dinner baskets filled with all the fixings for complete Thanksgiving meals, including home-baked desserts and gift cards for turkeys. Baskets will be distributed through Putnam CAP (Community Action Partnership).
Patterson Rotary Donates $5,000 to Brewster Emergency Shelter Partnership
Pictured above (Left to right) Dan Horkan, Norma Pereira, Carrie Hernandez and Charlie Germain
Several weeks ago, Deacon Charlie Germain made a presentation to the Patterson Rotary about the need to raise $30,000 to keep the Brewster Emergency Shelter open for the coming winter.
The Brewster Emergency Shelter Partnership (BESP) was formed by the congregations of the Brewster community to provide a safe sleeping environment during the coldest winter months for those that are in need. The congregations provide temporary sleeping sites for a week, evening meals, overnight hosts and other services. The sites include cots, bedding, sanitary supplies and winter clothing when available. A paid overnight supervisor is in charge and spends the night with the guests to provide a comfortable and safe environment.
"Keeping the doors open this winter has been our primary focus," deacon Germain told the Rotary. "We need to raise money from interested parties who want to help us and help people in need."
The BESP is modest and gets by on minimal costs by relying on volunteers when possible and donations.
"It is difficult to find a group with more purpose and need then BESP," responded Carrie Hernandez, who is the current Patterson Rotary president. The Rotary board responded quickly to their request with a donation of $5,000. "We knew we had to get them something quick so they could make plans to keep their doors open," she continued.
Norma Pereira, a BESP board member was on hand to receive the check and expressed her sincere appreciation for the donation.
The donation, coming days before their Blues and BBQ fundraiser, made the members proud. Rotary member Dan Horkan said it best - "I think we can all agree, that causes such as BESP are exactly why we work so hard to raise the money."
If you would like to find out more about the Brewster Emergency Service Partnership or provide a donation, contact them at 914-482-4656. They have a Facebook page at the link below
Are you getting ready for two days of fun, music, love and of course - great food. Save the weekend of September 15th and 16th. Click For Details.
Do you want to sponsor an event that attracts over 3,000 people? Are you an organization that is looking to have your name stand out in front of the local community? Want to find out more? Click Here for Sponsor and Event Information
It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our long time Rotarian and friend, Geoffrey Reinwald. Whether you remember him as the whistleblower at Men Who Cook, the guy manning the bratwurst grill at Blues and BBQ, or the king of the parking lot at Touch A Truck and the Putnam County 4-H Fair, he always had a smile and a ‘Geoffrey’ joke. He was always ready to help, whether it was ‘painting’ rooms (somehow painting everything except what needed to be painted) and pulling weeds (aka poison ivy). He was a Rotarian at heart and was a living example of ‘Service Above Self’.
Geoffrey was a special and unique personality that had a lot to do with shaping the personality of what our club and our local community has become. From sponsoring many, many members over the years to making our early morning meetings fun, he will truly be missed by his Rotary family and all that knew him.
Until we meet again Geoff. Keep those jokes ready for us.
Join us at Patterson Fire Dept. on September 16th and 17th for great music, delicious food and more at our 6th Annual Blues and BBQ Festival!
Click here for more details!
Then just a few short weeks after that comes our 3rd Annual Touch a Truck for Heroes! Come and explore your favorite trucks, meet the people who drive them and help us support local veteran groups. Join us on October 7th from 10 am - 2 pm at Thunder Ridge Ski Area.
Click here for more details!
At this past Tuesday's meeting we heard from Paula Miratello and her organization, My Brother Vinny. She started the organization as a way to honor her brother after his passing by assisting those with mental health issues find housing and support programs. Over the last few years the main focus of her work has turned to working with the local VA's and shelters to assist homeless veterans get into new homes.
Paula told us how most veterans qualify for housing assistance through the VA, but there is no program to assist them with furnishing their new apartments. My Brother Vinny provides them with everything from furniture, to housewares and even art work for the walls, so the empty apartment becomes a home. She and her volunteers, mainly veterans who she has helped that want to get involved, have helped over 435 veterans and their families in 9 counties in the Hudson Valley/Metro NY area.
For more information on My Brother Vinny or to find out how you can help, check out their website: http://www.mybrothervinny.org.
The Patterson Rotary Club celebrated the chartering of their new Patterson Interact Club. Interact is a branch of Rotary that teens from the ages of 12-18 can join. They do service projects in their community and around the world and learn how to live our motto, Service Above Self. We are so proud of these kids. We currently have students from 4 different schools, Brewster, Carmel, Pawling and The Wooster School in Danbury, CT. In just a few sort weeks, these kids and learned about each other and how to be a team. We asked them to bring one service project idea to a meeting and these amazing kids came up with over 20!
We have also be lucky enough to have a couple of kids who aren't quite old enough to join Interact, but want to do good, so we are also in the process of starting an EarlyAct club.
If you have a child that wants to get involved, send our advisers an email at pattersoninteract@gmail.com.
