Martha Elder, a longtime volunteer with Second Chance Foods (pictured on the left next to Fishkill Rotary President Mindy Potter), visited Fishkill Rotary on Wednesday, November 8 to share her organization's goal: to connect the fresh, healthy available food in our area to people who need assistance - before it goes to waste. The volunteers follow a basic process to achieve this goal which consists of three steps: collect, cook and connect.

Second Chance Foods first collects fresh foods from orchards, local farms, grocery stores etc. that have a surplus. The next step is to prepare the food and pack it in containers. Finally, the containers of food are delivered to those in need through local relief organizations, food pantries and Second Chance Foods' own weekly distribution. This is a wonderful organization doing work that is critical to the health of our community. Interested in volunteering? Visit www.secondchancefoods.org.  

Fishkill Rotary Club helped helped the Fishkill/Fishkill Elementary School Community celebrate Halloween this past week. Rotary participated in the Trunk or Treat celebration on Saturday, October 28. On Halloween morning, Rotarians handed out bags of candy to Fishkill Elementary School students as they took part in their Annual Halloween Parade from the school through the village. A good time was had by all and the students were MOST POLITE and VERY THANKFUL for the treats and the chance to "show off" their costumes. Good manners and appreciation are qualities that are quite alive and well among all of the Fishkill Frogs. See slideshows below! 

Virgil Capollari (pictured above with Fishkill Rotary Club President Mindy Potter) addressed the club concerning his role as Veterans Advisor and Advocate. Virgil stressed the importance of educating veterans about the benefits they are afforded on the federal, the state and the local levels. Virgil also serves on both the Dutchess County Veterans Affairs Committee and the Town of Fishkill Veterans Committee. Virgil, a vet himself, emphasized the importance of the task of educating veterans so that they may gain access to the benefits they most richly deserve.  

(Above) Aimee Taft and Todd Bowen, representing Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, flank Fishkill Rotary President Mindy Potter. Aimee and Todd discussed the number of initiatives undertaken by Habitat for Humanity, especially the organization's upcoming 4th Annual ReStore ReDo. This event features local community members "re-doing" furniture items of their own or an item selected from the ReStore. All projects will be sold at auction and the funds raised will support Habitat's mission to build safe and financially sustainable housing in Dutchess County.The finished pieces may be viewed in the ReStore location in Wappingers Falls from October 15th - 25th. There will be a live auction preview night on ReStore's Facebook page on October 15th at 5:30 p.m. By the way, Todd is a proud member of the Wappingers Rotary Club! 

The meeting held on Wednesday, August 16 at I-84 Diner proved to be a very busy and worthwhile one. As the slideshow below illustrates, Fishkill Rotary was joined by two of the John Jay High School students who attended RYLA earlier in the summer. First, the two sophomores picked the winning raffle ticket for the Billy Joel concert on August 29, 2023. The lucky winner will receive two tickets to the show and limo service both to and from MSG. Following the drawing, Hiroyuki and Shayleen spoke to the club about their experiences at RYLA. They both shared their favorite activities and expressed thanks to the club for giving them the opportunity to participate in the leadership conference.

The next speaker, also pictured below, was Pedro Almondo, General Manager of Sam's Club in Fishkill. Pedro expressed his willingness to work with Fishkill Rotary on projects to benefit the community. Sam's Club works with a variety of communities on beneficial projects throughout the country. Members also heard from Branca and Amanda (not shown) from Grace Smith House, an organization dedicated to supporting and safeguarding, families in crisis. Overall, a very informative and interesting meeting!! 

On Wednesday, March 8 at their regularly scheduled Rotary meeting at I-84 Diner, Fishkill Rotary inducted three new members to the fold. Longtime community volunteer Eddie Colon, Town of Fishkill Board Member Carmine Istvan and the Wappingers Central School District (represented by Superintendent Dwight Bonk and Board President John Lumia) took the Rotary oath as recited by Fishkill Rotarian Roberta Theiss. The new members then received a Rotary pin from their respective sponsors. After each of the new members addressed those at the meeting, it became very clear that Fishkill Rotary had become, due to the various talents of the inductees, an even more energetic and enthusiastic organization committed to doing good in the greater community!  

Fishkill Rotary Club inducted Steve Soper (below right) to the Club at its weekly meeting on Wednesday, September 7. Steve brings a good deal of experience and energy to Rotary. Among other business ventures, he currently works with the Hudson Valley Renegades and can be seen at Dutchess Stadium during many Renegade home games. Steve has already shown a willingness to contribute ideas and become even more actively involved in the Fishkill community. Steve is shown in the picture below being welcomed by Club President, Mindy Potter.   

Again this winter season, Fishkill Rotary Club has partnered with Operation Warm Coats to provide high-quality warm, winter coats to needy youngsters in the area. This year, Fishkill Rotary was able to order and distribute nearly 1,000  winter coats to students in the Wappingers Central School District, Beacon City School District, Catholic Charities and Astor Services for Children and Families. The impressive number of coats donated this year was due, in large part, to a Learn, Play, Create Grant from Dutchess County.The purpose of the grant is to support children in a variety of ways due to needs that have arisen from the impacts of COVID-19 in our area.

This year marks the twelfth consecutive year that Fishkill Rotary has provided warmth and support to elementary school-age children in an effort to enhance both student self-esteem and school attendance, especially during the coldest months. This project also addresses two of Rotary International's Areas of Focus: Saving Mothers and Children and Supporting Education.

AS YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF FROM THE IMAGES BELOW, A PICTURE CAN   INDEED SPEAK 1,000 WORDS!!!