Home Page | Rotary Club of Westerly

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Westerly
Celebrating Sixty-Seven Years June 28, 1958-2025

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

Email:

ra.russo@cox.net

Please call ahead if visiting. Dinners are ordered by Saturday and delivered just before meeting. Contact Derin at 401.787.5575 or Suzanne at 401.374.4359.

District Site

Venue Map

Scholarship Award Recipients

Our seventh Scholarship Award Recipient, Margaret Scanapieco, is a Business Major at Providence College. Aside from her studies, she continues to keep a busy schedule on the Tennis Team, volunteering with Best Buddies, Business Club, preparing a Fundraiser "Friendship Walk" and creating a Wellness Society Club at PC. We were very impressed with this young woman. She will do great things.

Robin Wildman, Exe Dir of NonViolent Schools RI

Robin Wildman, Executive Director of NonViolent Schools Rhode Island, was our speaker this past Monday evening to tell us about her organization and how it came into being. She is a former teacher at South Kingstown schools.

This organization's mission is "to ensure that all educators, primarily in Rhode Island, have the knowledge and skills to practice, model, and teach Nonviolence conflict reconciliation, to improve the climate culture of our schools and communities. Nonviolent Schools RI and trained educators will teach and empower students to practice the principles and steps of conflict reconciliation in their daily lives."

VISION: "All students and school personnel are educated in Kingian Nonviolence, based on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as they practice the skills to reconcile conflicts at school, home and in the outer community, thereby leading humanity towards a more peaceful and harmonious existence."

GOALS: "To train educators, staff, administrators, and families in the philosophy and practice of Kingian Nonviolence; to provide post-training support in the transformation of the climate and culture in all schools in Rhode Island, and elsewhere, by assisting in the implementation of the philosophy and practice of Kingian Nonviolence; to assist in the creation of a network of educators in each school, who will communicate with each other and exchange ideas, thereby creating a professional Nonviolence community"...... and more

Kingian Nonviolence "is a philosophy of nonviolent conflict reconciliation, based on the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the organizing strategies he used during the Civil Rights Movement. It is a holistic view of conflict that includes the study and analysis of conflict (how to understand conflict), the Principles of Nonviolence (the values of a community), and the Steps of Nonviolence Conflict Reconciliation (how to address conflict and restore relationships)."

You can learn more about the organization by going to www.nonviolentschoolsri.org.

Scholarship Award Recipients

Abigail Donato is a 2025 Scholarship Award Recipient. who was unable to meet with us in person due to final exams and swim team training obligations. So, she wrote a wonderful letter about her first semester - following is part of this letter:

"I am writing this letter to share my experience during my first semester of college, and it has truly been an exciting and rewarding transition. Coming into the semester, I was both nervous and eager about balancing academics, athletics, and making new connections, and I am happy to say that the experience has exceeded my expectations in many ways.

One of the highlights of my semester has been being a member of the Husson University Swim and Dive team. I absolutely love being part of the team and competing at the collegiate level. The commitment, discipline, and support from my teammates and coaches have helped me grow not only as an athlete but also as a student. We work hard every day, and it has been incredibly motivating to be surrounded by people who push me to be my best. After the new year, our team will be traveling to Florida for a training trip, which I am very excited about. This trip will be a great opportunity to bond as a team and prepare for our championship meet in February, which we have all been working toward throughout the season." She is attending Husson University and currently has a 4.0 gpa.

At our January 5th dinner meeting we had the pleasure of welcoming a former Student of the Month - Sara Arnold - who was also one of our 2025 Scholarship Recipients. Sara is attending the University of Rhode Island, majoring in Biology. She has embraced college life by joining a Sorority and several clubs along with maintaining good grades.

Also joining us for dinner January 5th, another former Student of the Month - Easton French - who also is a 2025 Scholarship Award Recipient. Easton is attending Sacred Heart University with a double major Sports Management and Communication. He had a great semester while working 2 jobs, one which involved playing and working with young kids.

Dr Chen Wang in Concert

2026 Rotary Rose Bowl Parade Float

Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee: "Even though we did not win an award at this year's Rose Parade, our float was a true triumph that indicates what happens when we come together to 'Unite for Good.' It's beauty did not come from a trophy, but from the countless hands that lovingly brought it to life. From the dedication of our Rotarians, to the craftsmanship of Phoenix Decorating Company, to the tireless decorators and generous sponsors who believed in the vision - this float was a reflection of community, passion and heart. A real win is in the 'Magic of Teamwork.' "

Participating in the Rose Parade began in 1980 at a cost of $35,000 sponsored and funded by 7 Southern California Rotary Districts for the purpose of communication to all "Service above Self". The 2026 float, with a budget of $165,655, included giraffes, zebras, flamingos, a hippo, a toucan, Tiger Mom with two cubs, a green snake - symbolism of animals (and people) working together in harmony in nature or the world - surrounded by thousands of flowers.

ACGOW Holiday Art Drive

Derin received a note from Dr. Helen M Roy from the Artist Cooperative Gallery of Westerly informing that 11 bags of art supplies had been delivered to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. She said that most of the supplies were gone and will "be bringing joy to a lot of little ones." Thank you to everyone who donated supplies to this cause.

Students of the Month Nov, Dec

November - Abiageal Emery

Introduced by Assistant Principal Cronin, Abby "has blanced academics, athletics, leadership, work and service with incredible energy and heart." She served on Student Council, as President of Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse, placed nationally in the Voice of America essay competition. She excelled i softball and volleyball earning varsity letters and state championships. She has volunteered many hours mentoring younger students and welcoming new Bulldogs to the high school.

December Student of the Month - Kailyn Gabriele

Mr. Cronin presented Kailyn as a "student who truly represents the best of Westerly High School with an outstanding 4.3 GPA." She pairs academic excellence with remarkable leadership. Kailyn is President of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Varsity Athletes Against Substance Abuse. She leads by example both in and out of the classroom - mentoring peers and elementary students, supporting school events and giving back through countless hours of community involvement. Kailyn is a varsity lacrosse athlete and state champion.

Scholarship Award Recipients

Our June 2025 Scholarship Award Recipients are:

Sara Arnold

Abigail Donato

Easton French

Makenzie Gabriel

Margaret Scanapieco

Addison Serra

Dylan Tallardy

Aaliyah Terras

Aaliyah, Addison and Makenzie visited with our membership December 15 and received their awards.

We hope to see Easton and Sara on January 5 and Dylan on January 26. Finally, Abigail will be sending a letter about her first college semester because she has college swim team responsibilities.

Annual Meeting

Annual Meeting -

The Nominating Committee announced the proposed slate of officers for the 2026/2027 Rotary Year.

President-Elect Jeffrey Wendth

President Nominee Steve Cofone

Vice President Dora Hellner-Vasquez

Secretary Kathryn Taylor

Treasurer Rosemarie Russo

Immediate Past President Suzanne Lane

Member at Large Frank Thacker

Membership (22 mbrs) in attendance voted unanimously to approve the slate. Steve Cofone made a motion that the Secretary record one ballot.

As Acting Secretary Rosemarie Russo accepted. Motion seconded and Slate approved.

MLK

Other Notes

Meetings will be in person but spaced appropriately

23 Jan: Murder by the Book at Westerly Library

26 Jan: Jessica Mowry, Exec Dir of WARM Center, & one Scholarship Award Recipient

31 Jan: District Mid Year Session, 8am/12:00, NE Institute of Technology E Greenwich -

register at Rotary District 7950

2 Feb: Board 4:30, dinner meeting 5:30

9 Feb: Addison Roush & Wylette Selvidio - Granite Theatre

Jan, Feb Students of the Month

16 Feb: President's Day - NO meeting

23 Feb: Social dinner at location tbd

2 Mar: Board 4:30, dinner meeting 5:30

8 Mar: Women in Rotary/Int'l Womens Day 12-3 $50, at 947 Vet Mem Pkwy, Riverside RI

9 Mar: Christine King, Director of Behavioral Health, at Wood River Health

16 Mar: Luis Viquez, Director of Orchestral Studies & Asst Prof of Conducting at URI

23 Mar:

30 Mar:

6 Apr: Board meeting 4:30; dinner meeting 5:30

13 Apr: Sue Ogle of The Westerly Village; Mar/Apr Students of the Month

20 Apr:

27 Apr:

Steve, John and Bob leading us in The Rotary Welcome Song written by Rotarian Ed Smalley

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.

5K -Brian Daigle Foundation Fundraiser

The organization provides programs for grieving families who have lost someone to suicide. Kathryn Taylor completed the walk for a friend who lost a daughter.

Club Home - We are meeting at The Frank Olean Center next to Rotary Park, Monday, 5:30pm. Angie will send the sandwich/salad menu on or about Wednesday for the next Monday meeting; respond to aswain@navigantcu.org by Sunday Noon. If you don't receive a reply within 24 hours, please contact them again. Please respond whether ordering or not as it will help us to know how many will be attending meeting.

Covid Aid Goes On....

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 357 deliveries, as of 19 Jan 2026, have been made since the program began in 2020.

Wishing Well at McQuade's Marketplace

Latest trip to empty the wishing well on 4/7/25 garnered a total of $995.64, bringing total registered since 2009 $15,100.59.

Creative Opportunity

Take responsibility for website and newsletter. Excellent tutorials in Clubrunner. Contact Rose at ra.russo@cox.net or 401.315.5868

New Projects

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". Installation will be delayed until Fall 2026.

Peace & Justice

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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfaAEU9rl&t=2s

Peace Pole dedication 22Oct2018

2025

"Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do, Something you are and Something you give away."

Food Collection Program

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 354 deliveries, as of November 24, have been made since the program began in 2020.

Westerly's Lockbox Program

Posted on Jul 21, 2025

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 63 lockboxes.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.