The Rotary Club of Asbury Park cordially invites you to "Red, White & Brew" Tasting Dinner & Fundraiser on Friday, May 20, 2022 at Deal Golf & Country Club. 

Proceeds To Benefit Deal Lake Watershed Alliance. Honoring Don Brockel, Deal Lake Commission

TO PURCHASE TICKETS & SPONSORSHIP, CLICK HERE. 

Former Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno relishes her job as the new CEO and President of Fulfill.

Guadagno explained the name change from the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean counties to Fulfill saying the food bank seeks to fulfill all the needs of county residents including mental health, tax preparation as well as food.

Guadagno also said hunger is as much of a problem at the Jersey Shore as any county in the state.

She  said one in 10 residents are food insecure.

“You have to believe that message in order to address the issue,” she said, adding that the problem exists across all races, genders, locations and even among those who are employed. 

There are people she said with one or two jobs who still can’t afford enough food.

Guadagno said her reasons for taking the position at Fulfill are complex but involve a strong desire to help people get off food lines, or if not possible at least live a dignified life in Monmouth County.

Fulfill, she said, has been cited for its financial efficiency, reporting that for every dollar donated, 96 cents is spent on programs.

Fulfill also provides hot meals after school to children attending the Boys and Girls Club in Asbury Park.

Guadagno also said Fulfill is planning monthly dinners at Asbury Tower for residents, whose income must be less than $18,000.

“And it is done in a non-stigmatized way,” she said.

Guadagno was very excited about the new Back Pack program where children are given a food pack and their own backpack to take home to get them through the weekend.

“They are given food for two full days,” she said.

The pack includes cereal, shelf milk, juice and Spaghettios with a pop top. She explained that many poor families don’t have can openers.

Fulfill began collecting can openers to hand out with Thanksgiving baskets.

The food bank distributes one million pounds of food monthly. 

Jim Lenskold, Chairman of the Board for Asbury Park Music Foundation, joined our meeting to share the work that this foundation has done to ensure the art of music is present in Asbury Park. Originally established in 2011 to ensure that AP’s rich history in the music industry was not lost during the revitalization of the community, it has evolved to be more inclusive of the residents, particularly the children of the west side of Asbury. Their mission now: Our life-changing music programs provide under-served youth with confidence, discipline and relationships that improve their future success and economic mobility. And they are serious about this mission having served more than 3,000 youth in the past year with opportunities to learn an instrument, play in a band, record a song, and learn other aspects of this industry. They have regularly scheduled in-school programs in Long Branch, Asbury Park and Neptune school districts, but they also park their Beat Bus in strategic locations that allow children to explore and be creative with sound and rhythm. In addition to this they organize events that bring music to the community. New this year was the Holiday Show. While they were hoping for an audience to fill a quarter of the auditorium, their artists performed to a full house. Throughout the 10 weeks of the summer months, you can enjoy free concerts on Mondays at Springwood Park, on Wednesdays on the Boardwalk in front of MOGO’s (emerging artist series), and/or on Thursdays with the Asbury Park Concert Band closer to Robinson Ale House. Did I mention these are free events? Hope to see you at one or more of these this summer.

• Don't forget that we are helping the Salvation Army Bell Ringing this weekend.  Contact Roger Stein for details if you are signed up.
• We will not have a Program Speaker on December 27th, come and enjoy fellowship with your Rotary friends!
• There will be no bulletin next week!  The editor is taking a break :)

• Food Drive for Emmanuel Cancer Foundation--food collected each week at our meeting.  See Events for details and list of items needed
• Raffle tickets are for sale and the drawing will be held on October 25th at 12:30pm, please be sure to bring in sold tickets prior.  50% to the winner  25% to American Cancer Society and 25% to Asbury Park Rotary Foundation.  Help sell tickets for a great cause.
• October 28th Rise Against Hunger  Sign up for a shift or if you can't make it please consider making a donation.  Details and links in Events tab.  Our club Foundation is donating $500 to the event.  Please consider signing up for a two hour shift or donate if you can't make it.  Every dollar counts!
• October 28th Deal Lake Clean-up  

Leslie Nolan, owner and founder of Leslie Nolan Design, began her presentation by sharing her definition of “mojo” as the inner power of an individual that releases creativity.  As a motivational speaker, Leslie works with creative entrepreneurs who need to reclaim their mojo in order to move forward with their vision.  Through inspirational workshops and painting techniques, these creative individuals navigate the darkness to find new ideas.   Leslie offered a free consultation to our Rotary club members.  Contact her at leslie@leslienolan.com or through her website www.leslienolandesign.com.

Explore the World of Rotary in the Rotarian

April is Magazine Month, a time to celebrate the global network of Rotary’s official magazines which provide valuable information to 1.2 million Rotarians. The RI Board of Directors has designated April of every year as Magazine Month. It is a time to recognize the role that our Rotary publications play in our Rotary lives – and the role that we should play in our publications. For the magazines to live up to Paul Harris’ original vision, it takes more than just an editorial staff; it also takes the good work of Rotarians.  The best part of reading any Rotary publication is the opportunity to find out what other clubs are doing. Each issue, each article is a chance to be informed and inspired.

Rotary Fights Illiteracy One Person at a Time

Combating illiteracy has been a focus of Rotary since 1986 -- and for good reason. UNESCO estimates there are 862 million illiterate adults in the world and about two thirds of them are women. Millions more are functionally illiterate, without the reading and writing skills necessary for everyday life. The United Nations has identified illiteracy as a major obstacle to economic, political and social development. March is the month we showcase literacy. Our efforts are twofold. All across the world Rotarians note the importance of reading and we publicize the needs in the form of poor literacy rates and the lack of resources. Around the world we support numerous programs that help children and adults to gain the ability to read. CLICK ABOVE TO READ MORE

Rotary Promotes Goodwill, Peace and World Understanding

February is "World Understanding" month on the Rotary calendar and it is most appropriate at this time that we revisit an article in the January 1946 Rotarian Magazine written by Rotary Founder Paul Harris. Although Paul Harris wrote this article in the shadow of World War II and some of his comments may be dated in the light of the 21st century, the central truths of his comments about peace are timeless. Following is a short excerpt from that article.

"When a certain distinguished scientist was asked what coming invention would mean most to mankind, he answered, 'I don't think that any invention will mean so much to mankind as the discovery of a better way to get along together.' But how can we find a better way to get along together?

There is the Golden Rule, but every nation believes its way is the Golden Rule way. Sir Norman Angell has wisely observed that no nation, however aggressive and inhuman its course may be, is conscious of guilt; its people are taught that they are superior to all others and that destiny calls them to lead. Most nations are overeducated in their virtues and undereducated in their vices. Open-mindedness and tolerance are earmarks of the Rotary approach to the problem. Clubs exist in some 60 nations and opportuni- ties for discord abound. But though membership includes representatives of all religious and political parties, discord is rare in Rotary.

The Rotary way works! But Rotary has no patent on it, for it is but the Golden Rule in action. Any person, any nation, can apply it by displacing negative hatred and fear with goodwill based upon understanding. Peace among nations is not impossible of attainment; they can find peace if they will."

CLICK ABOVE TO READ MORE

Mid-Year Assembly Means Rotary Year is Half Over

Asbury Park Rotary was represented at the Mid-Year Assembly by five of its members as District Governor Sheila reported on the first half of the Rotary year in District 7500.  Our group attended and participated in the various workshops to help build a well-functioning Rotary club.  The event was held January 27, 2014 at La Bove Grande in Lakehurst and included a raucous  keynote speech by famous Rotarian John T Capps of North Carolina.  Gov Sheila characterized our club as "crazy" to the group of other Rotary clubs because of our Polar Plunge she witnessed two days previously.  Traudy, Brenda, Robin, Tom P and Gary picked up some good tips to bring back.  The one thing that was stressed was something we already knew -- successful Rotary clubs are the ones that have fun!

Front row: Brenda, Robin and Traudy.  Back row: Gary, John T Capps and Tom P

We Plunged for Mya and the Vision Impaired

The rush to the sea after Jeff yells, "This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy."

The only thing angry at the 6th Annual Polar Plunge was the Atlantic Ocean as over a hundred people of all ages used their better judgment on how far to venture into the rough surf.  With the air temperature about freezing, the ocean a constant 41 degrees F, and the 6th Avenue Asbury Park Beach covered in snow, it's a wonder there were so many happy faces. They turned out on January 25, 2014 to remember Mya Lin Terry, the young Ocean Township girl who fought a valiant but losing battle to cancer and to raise money for the new foundation in her name.  Rotary Eye Rescue, the program that provides corneal transplants to the poor in developing countries, will receive the other share of the proceeds. Traudy and the Plunge committee did another great job and the "Rotary Divas" were out in force. 

Click MORE below for more photos:

2013 Scholarship Awards Presented to Excellent Students

Our projects and fund raising work were shown to be worthwhile when we had a chance to meet the exceptional young students from our local high schools receiving last year's Rotary Scholarships.  The recipients were Karen Lopez of Academy Charter H.S. and attending Richard Stockton College of NJ; Sarah Sanclementi of Neptune H.S. and attending Fairfield University; and Sarah Abdelaziz of Ocean Township H.S. and attending Rutgers University.  Herling Valesquez Domena of Asbury Park H.S. was not present because she had to return to school at Florida International University.   All the students showed not only high academic achievement but much time involved with service to their community -- one of the requirements to receive the Rotary Scholarship.  Each student spoke to us about her first semester in college. The program was presented by HJ Abrecht, chairperson of the Scholarship Committee, who did a great job running her first Rotary event. This is why we are Rotarians.

From left to right Rotarian Brenda, Sarah Abdelazizi, Karen Lopez, Sarah Sanclementi, Rotarian HJ

Celebrate Rotary Awareness Month

January is Rotary Awareness Month, an ideal opportunity to enhance the public image of Rotary. Let's tell the public about Rotary. Even though the organization is over 100 years old, many people still are not familiar with Rotary’s purpose or humanitarian mission. To enhance awareness in our community, work with the local media to cover our efforts. Promoting Rotary to the general public can be as simple as wearing our Rotary pin or as elaborate as organizing an integrated marketing campaign. By increasing the public's understanding of Rotary, we're strengthening our ability to make an impact in communities around the world.

Holiday Party Filled with Spirit

The Growney's new home was properly christened with a fun-filled Rotary Holiday Party. Sean and Barbara were gracious hosts as Asbury Rotarians gathered on December 28, 2013 for our annual event featuring home cooked food, holiday cheer and great friendship.  Tony Ch won the most festively dressed award and Robin's Beef Bourguignon was as sumptuous as ever.  The Growney kids took part in the fun and ended up in their pajamas.  And, like all proper Rotary parties, Hunt and Gary were the last to leave.  Although this was one of the few times they didn't have to be asked to leave!

Holiday Party hosts Barbara and Sean

Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army

It's surprising how enjoyable bell ring for money in front of the Neptune Walmart can be. Of course, when it's the holiday season, and we're with our Rotary friends and the shoppers are so generous and friendly and we're working for a great organization like the Salvation Army, we knew we put in a worthwhile two hours of service to the community.  It didn't hurt that the temperature was unusually warm on December 21 and 22, 2013. Major Kevin Stoops, SA director and Rotarian, reports $1350 was raised from our efforts.  Roger Stein, chairman of the Asbury Park SA advisory board and Rotarian, thanks our club for the much needed support.

Tom G and Colin showing their Rotary enthusiasm and spirit while ringing their bells

Read a Book and  Support the Hungry

President Tom G presented Ariane with a donation to the Mercy Center to support their food pantry to feed the hungry at our December 18, 2014 Rotary meeting.  It was part of a challenge initiated by Sandy when the club received the book 40 Chances by Howard Buffet on poverty in the world.  For a chance to read it, make a donation of food to the Mercy Center although Tom says it will probably take him another month to finish reading the book.

Ariane gives President Tom a hug for his generous donation to the Mercy Center's food pantry

Starlite Chorale Sings for the Season

For the 27th year, the Starllite Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Tony Godlefski, performed a wonderful concert to benefit our Rotary Scholarship Fund.  Since they first visited us in 1987, over $100,000 has been raised for the education of the youth of our community.  Traditional, favorite and beloved Christmas songs from around the world filled the West Grove United Methodist Church in Neptune, NJ on December 15, 2013.  Many thanks go to the Rotarians who helped. Rev Jeff with the invocation; Tom and Patti G selling tickets; Traudy was an usher and Gary introduced the group.  Special thanks go to Rev Park, pastor of West Grove for the use of his beautiful church.  Watch for the Stalite Chorale's return in September for an Ocean Grove Tabernacle concert.

Dr. Tony Godlefski leads the Starlite Chorle

Expand the Rotary Family this Month

In the Rotary calendar December is Family Month, a time when we pay special attention to Rotary's large and expanding family. Rotary is not just 1.2 million Rotarians in 34,558 clubs.  We're 365,125 Interactors, 133,860 Rotaractors, and 174,547 Rotary Community Corps members. Our family includes the spouses and children of Rotarians. It also encompasses the dozens of community nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations that Rotary had forged partnerships with. The family of Rotary is millions strong -- and it continues to grow as we keep developing new ties. During this busy holiday season not only connect with your immediate family but bring in people who need our help to make them a part of the Rotary family.

10 Filipino Children Receive Gift of Life

Our District 7500 Rotary Clubs sponsored a pediatric cardiac medical mission to the Philippines during the week of September 29 to October 5, 2013 and as a result 10 precious Filipino children received the gift of life.  This $60,000 project was conducted as a Rotary Global Grant mainly from monies donated 3 years ago to The Rotary Foundation by individuals and Rotary clubs of District 7500 and the Gift of Life Foundation of District 7500.  The medical operations were performed at the Philippines Children's Medical Center by medical teams from the Philippines and Miller Children's Hospital of Long Beach, California. The Rotary club partners, necessary for the grant, were the Rotary Club of Maki West, Philippines and the Rotary Club of Brick Morning, NJ. The administrative work was done by Gift of Life International and its executive director Rob Raylman. Special thanks goes to PDG Kathy Hiltner of Morrestown Rotary for completing the new Global Grant requirements in record time.  Asbury Park Rotary was involved through our donations to TRF and to District 7500 GOLF by way of the blue buckets on the lunch meeting tables. This is how we promote world understanding and peace, not to mention save lives.

Our Foundation does "good in the world"

The Rotary Foundation transforms our gifts into projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. As the charitable arm of Rotary, it taps into a global network of Rotarians who invest their time, money, and expertise into priorities, such as eradicating polio and promoting peace. Foundation grants empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact. Strong financial oversight, a stellar charity rating, and a unique funding model mean that we make the very most of each contribution.

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of $26.50 only to more than $55 million. It is one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world. Take time to learn more about this most worthy organization, CLICK ABOVE.

"Tiger" Taylor Dominates Mini Golf Event

Playing with his kids, Matt Jr and Gracie, Matt T shot a sizzling 41 and ran away with victory in the Rotary Mini Golf Outing on the Asbury Park Boardwalk held October 3, 2013.  An enthusiastic group of Asbury Park Rotarians enjoyed an evening of family fellowship that included challenging golf with good food and camaraderie.  After the competition, we gathered at Debbie's famous Wonder Bar for Jeff's Chick-fil-A nuggets, Gail's beef Wellington, pizza and assorted desserts.  Brenda's husband, Dan S, finished second with a score of 44 and Mike F's wife, Sandy, won most honest golfer award. 

Mini Golf champ, Matt T, playing with future champs Gracie and Matt Jr

Vocational Service:  One of Rotary's Founding Principles

Rotary was first started as a Club based on vocations. This continues today. This month is a great time to celebrate, explore, understand the vocations of our Club members, and to explore the possibilities of membership from other vocational groups in our community.  Promoting integrity through ethical behavior is an essential part of what it means to be a Rotarian.  The Four-Way Test provides a road map for ethical behavior in the workpalce and other areas of life:   

THE FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

CLICK ABOVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VOCATIONAL SERVICE

New Generations: The Future of Rotary, our Communities, the World 

The month of September in the Rotary calendar is New Generations Month.  It reminds us to continue our commitment to youth.  It is important to recognize the positive contributions youth and young adults can make to society and Rotarians have provided that support and encouragement for much of our organization’s existence.  If Rotary is to grow and survive, we must continue to expose young people to the magic of Rotary.  Beside individual club youth projects, Rotary International has established significant New Generations programs: (CLICK ABOVE to view)

"Don’t spend your precious time asking 'Why isn’t the world a better place?”'It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer.”

TBI Thanks Rotary for Restoring Sight for Three

Three young people in Yemen have had the miracle of restored sight due to our efforts at this year's Polar Plunge in February, 2013.  Traudy Grande, Plunge Chair, presented our check for $6000 to the Tissue Banks International (TBI) foundation trustees.  This was the 5th year of the Rotary Eye Rescue Program, and the Polar Plunge that supports it, and brings our total donation since 2008 to $40,000.  Halima, 16, Rahma, 25, and Saleh, 22, all of Yemen, were relieved from a condition called Keratoconus.  Dr. Mahtouth A. Bamashmus, Associate professor of Opthamology, performed the operations at Yemen Magabi Hospital.

 
Traudy (3rd from left) presents check to TBI Foundation Trustees

Click below to learn more about Keratoconus, meet the young ladies we helped and read the TBI Letter of Thanks:

Make New Friends Around the World

June is Rotary Fellowships Month.  Rotary Fellowships are international, independently organized groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who share a common vocation or recreational interest. Rotary Fellow­ships give their members the opportunity to have fun, make new friends around the world, and enhance their experience in Rotary. Examples of Rotary Fellowships are: bird watching, golf and lawyers.  Wine is a Fellowship group but not Heineken beer. Why not start one?

Rotarians Participate in Career Day

Members of the Asbury Park Rotary shared their personal story by answering questions about their vocations at the Academy Charter High School Career Day on May 3, 2013 in Lake Como, NJ.  The students circulated the gym asking what we liked and disliked about our profession and why we chose it.  Each one, very impressively, introduced him or herself with a handshake and concluded with a thank you.  Taking part from our club in this Rotary Vocational Service project were Adrienne Gnassi for dog rescue and teaching; Brenda Skinner for insurance; Tom Price for financial and college planning; and Gary Siciliano for dental careers. 

Adrienne with her best friend Scooby Doo counsels a student  on the Dog Rescue career

Rotary Magazines: Getting the Word Out

April is Magazine Month, a time to celebrate the global network of Rotary’s official magazines, which provide valuable information to 1.2 million Rotarians. Established in 1911, The Rotarian is the official magazine of Rotary International and is circulated worldwide. Each issue contains feature articles, columns, and departments about, or of interest to, Rotarians. Seventeen Nobel Prize winners and 19 Pulitzer Prize winners – from Mahatma Ghandi to Kurt Vonnegut Jr. – have written for the magazine.

Rotary Board Bans Heineken Beer

The Asbury Park Rotary Club board of directors has decided not to permit the use of Heineken Beer at all future club functions due the recently disclosed unsafe effects of the beverage.  Heineken has been found to contain dangerous chemicals that are harmful to a person's health, as well as, damaging to the environment.  It has been discovered the beer is manufactured with the use of child slave labor under horrendous working conditions that goes against all of Rotary's principles.  The motion was put forward by Roger Stein, CPA, club vice president and political activist, and passed by a vote of 9 to 1.  Roger stated, "There are many other delicious beers out there like Schlitz, Iron City and Old Milwaukee that will do just fine, and they are made right here in the USA. Be patriotic, drink American !!!"

For more information on this breaking story, CLICK BELOW:

Membership Mixer Draws Attention

More than a dozen (mostly young!) Asbury Park area business and professional people joined us at the Asbury Ocean Beach Inn on Asbury Avenue, March 21,2013, to socialize, learn about Rotary and meet Rotarians from the best Rotary club in the Universe.  Phyllis Maffucci organized the wonderful event that brought together great food, drink and information in the Rotary spirit.  Interest in joining the club was evident.  Chip and Betsy were great hosts and even gave tours of their fabulous accommodations. We will hold more mixers in the future in the hope of expanding the reach of Rotary in Asbury Park. Many thanks to Phyllis for a job well done.

Rotarian Phyllis (left) with Mixer guests and host Betsy (2nd from right)

Lombardi Banquet Honors Linemen

"Be Invincible" was the message at the 41st Vince Lombardi Awards Banquet held March 7, 2013 and sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County. The featured guest speaker was Vince Papale, former Philadelphia Eagles walk-on player, special teams captain and inspiration for the Disney movie INVINCIBLE, who told his story of living a dream. But, he told the honored high school linemen, it takes hard work and determination in the tradition of the great coach Vince Lombardi.  Representing Asbury Park Rotary on the awards committee were Tom Price, Vince Alvino and Gary Siciliano.

Award winners from Asbury Park Rotary service area: Peter Askew, Neptune; Matt Hicks, Ocean Township; Domingo Perez, Asbury Park

2013 Rotary Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Asbury Park is happy to announce the doubling of its annual scholarship award from $1000 to $2000 in the form of a direct award to the recipient to pay for books, electronic support devices and other college expenses.  There will be four awards given, one each to the prospective graduate of the four high schools in our service area: Asbury Park, Neptune, Ocean Township and Academy Charter.  These awards will be dispersed at the successful completion (with 2.5 GPA or above) of the recipients first and third semester of school. 

 Rotary Sends Assistance to Newtown, CT

Rotary is described as a global network of business, professional and community leaders who serve locally and around the world.   This became cleary evident as the Newtown Rotary Club has witnessed tremendous charitable support from across the nation and around the world in their efforts to assist victums of the Sandy Hook School tragedy. With our $500 donation, Asbury Park Rotary is one of over 261 Rotary clubs  that have contributed over $100,000 to the newly formed "Newtown Rotary Foundation Sandy Hook School Fund."  This support will go to assist individuals and groups directly involved in the tragedy.

Click below to view the thank you letter:

Rotary Sponsors International Peace Forum

Proving how small the world really is these days, Asbury Park Rotary took part in an International Peace Forum to discuss world peace on February 24, 2013 at Lenape High School in Medford, NJ.  Interact students from Serbia, Israel and the Philippines engaged in a live exchange via the Internet with students of the Interact Club of Lenape H.S. about the effects of war and violence in their countries.  Before the youth group's discussion, Rotarians from District 7500 related stories about themselves or family members during armed conflicts of the past involving the United States.  The forum proved to be an incredible experience.

Peace Forum participants (Lenape High School Interact Club in fromt row) join, electronically, with students from the other countries as the Philippine students lead in singing "We Are the World."

How can Rotary Clubs Help with Hurricane Disaster Rellief?

Rotary District 7500 Governor Joan Vas has been working hard to coordinate the efforts of the Rotarians and clubs of Dist 7500 in helping those in Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington Counties devistated by Hurricane Sandy.  Click above to read her request. 

Polar Plunge, Another Cool Event

The sun was bright...the sky was clear...the ocean tranquil.  But, the air temperature was 23 degrees F and the water 43 degrees F as the dedicated supporters of our 5th Annual Rotary Polar Plunge hit the surf off the Asbury Park beach on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013.  Rotarian Traudy Grande put together another successful event which raised money for Hurricane Sandy relief and Rotary Eye Rescue corneal transplants.

Plungers return from the figid Atlantic Ocean