Holiday Party December 17th

Join us for our Annual HOLIDAY PARTY at the HARBOUR CLUB in HSBC Arena.
Cost for guests is $20, no charge for Buffalo Rotary members.
CASH BAR with beer and wine begins at 11:30 a.m.
Entertainment will be by the FRIENDS of HARMONY Barbershop Quartet.

Invite spouses, friends and prospective Rotarians.

Be sure to make reservations and let us know the names of your guests so we can have name badges ready. We must give Harbour Club the count by Tuesday December 14.

December 10th: Presentation of Community Grants

Dec. 10th meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. in the HARBOUR CLUB, HSBC Arena

Community Grants Chair, Rob Eck and members of the committee will make presentations about the organizations they have studied for the fall cycle.
Members of the committee include: Pat Cunningham, Don Enslin, Chip Ivins, Dave Knauss, Dolores McCarley, Carolyn Murray, Dale Schwenk and Deann Sheppard

Summary of Projects:
Hispanics United of Buffalo (HUB) was founded in 1989, and it's mission is to advance and improve the social, educational, cultural and economic status of members of the Latino community in Western NY through the rendering of advice, assistance and operation of programs. Currently, with the economy worsening, low and moderate income Hispanics are finding it more difficult than ever to secure and keep a job. There is a need for a program to give these people the training and assistance to help them compete in today's economy. HUB has recently established an Employment Center, which will help prepare these clients for employment and education opportunities. They are requesting $6,848 for the purchase of 8 new desktop computers/printers to help expand the capabilities of this new program.
St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1847, and it's mission is to seek out the forgotten, the suffering and the deprived, and treat them with dignity and compassion. Currently, they have seen a surge in demand for services for those in need, especially in the number of meals being provided. St. Vincent de Paul has been offering free meals since 1982 to over 8,000 clients each month. However, to continue this program, they are in need of replacing a 20 year old refrigerator. They are requesting $3,574 to help purchase a commercial refrigerator to store large quantities of food to support their existing free meals program.
The Olmstead Center for the Sight Impaired is 100 years old and was formerly known as The Blind Association. Their mission is to help individuals with visual impairments to achieve the highest level of independence possible. Currently, they provide a program to address the special needs of this growing population. The Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service was established in 1999 to create meaningful job opportunities in the Hotel and Call Center job marketplace for the sight impaired. They are requesting $5,280 for capital improvements to their classroom training facility to help maintain and grow this vital program.

Past speaker Dr. Fasula in the News

Dr. Vivian K. Fasula, who presented at the Buffalo Rotary meeting on November 25th, was recently featured in the Buffalo News. Click here to read.

December 10th Meeting: Fall Cycle Community Grants and ELECTION

The slate of officers and directors will be presented at the Meet the Candidates forum at Shanghai Red's, Noon on December 3.
Elections will be held on December 10 at the Harbour Club in HSBC arena from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Officer candidates include: Ron Caruso, President-Elect; John Bradley, Vice President-Director; Charles Telford, Secretary-Director; and Joseph Brennan Treasurer-Director, each elected for one year. Each Officer is also a Director for one year. President-Elect Caruso serves for one year and then automatically becomes President in the following year
There are Four Directors, each elected for two years: Bryce Bixby, Megan Burns-Moran, Carolyn Murray and Anthony Diina.
You will want to hear what their sponsors have to say about each candidate.
In addition we are welcoming 8 members of the Credit Valley A.M in Mississauga who are coming for the hockey game that night. They are: Steve Brown, Dale Scheerer, Jim Kitchen, Wendell and Dustin Stanley, Jim Joeseph, Paul Kuel and President Elect Tim Doyle
Come early and say Hello.  

Donate your used eye glasses through Dec 15

Our speaker on WEDNESDAY Nov 25 will be Dr. Vivian Fasula who will talk about her work at the Medical Missionary in Nicaragua. She has requested Rotarians donate eye glasses they no longer need so she can share them with those who do.
You can bring them to a Rotary meeting through December 15 or make arrangements with Barbara Campagna at 639-0630
Barbara has the posters, shown in the photograph, which can be displayed in offices and buildings now. See her at a Rotary meeting to obtain a supply.  

Youth Exchange Winter Weekend Dec 4 through 6

The Buffalo Rotary Youth Exchange "Winter Weekend" is being held Dec. 4-6th. All the exchange students within District 7090 come to Buffalo for a weekend of fun that includes tours of downtown and ice skating at Rotary rink.
We need "host families" for the weekend. Each host family typically will host 2 (or more) students for the weekend. What's involved? A host family simply picks up the students on Friday night after their scheduled function. The students stay with you Friday night and we ask that you drop them off downtown (usually around 12pm).
The students have a full agenda downtown until roughly 4pm. At 4pm we ask that you pick them up and they join you for dinner. That night we invite you and your family to join us for a party at Greg Norton's house (Elmwood and W. Ferry) with all the exchange students and "weekend" host families. It's a lot of Fun!! The kids spend the night with you on Saturday and we ask that you drop them off downtown usually around 12-1pm.
It's a great chance to participate in a weekend that exposes the youth exchange students to our wonderful city, the great people and the members of our Rotary Club.
Please call John Bradley at 626-9500 with questions and let him know if you would be interested in hosting.

Ring the bell for Salvation Army Dec. 12th

Did you see the picture page (C12) in the Buffalo News, November 5? Attached is the photo of Buffalo Rotarian Major Robert Dixon next to the kettle that we will be using on
ROTARY DAY
Saturday, December 12th
at Wal-Mart
5033 Transit Road, Clarence
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Following is the list of those who have signed up already
We have TWO for each hour BUT YOU WOULD BE WELCOME TO HELP AT ANY TIME. Just let us know. It's a great experience!
9:00 to 10:00 John McClive & Joe DePaolo
10:00 to 11:00 Dick Klepfer & Jerry Kelly
11:00 to Noon Pat Coviello & Tony Diina
Noon to 1:00 Andy Streng & Bill Keefer
1:00 to 2:00 Don DeMeo & Jim Sutherland
2:00 to 3:00 Susan Keefe & Dennis Buckley
3:00 to 4:00 Michele Longley & Lauren Solak
4:00 TO 5:00 Chet Dann & Bob Dixon  

Rotaract Information: Dec 15, from 5 to 7 at Pearl Street Grill

Are you, or do you know any young professionals or college students who would like to get involved in local community service or international humanitarian projects?
Would they welcome the chance to expand their circle of friends locally and around the world?
The Rotary Club of Buffalo is assisting the Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club to sponsor the formation of a community-based Rotaract Club in the Buffalo area.
So, what is a Rotaract Club? Rotaract is an international program for adults ages 18 to 30 who want to make a difference. It was founded in 1968 by Rotary International (www.rotary.org), an association of clubs made up of service-minded business and professional leaders. Today, there are more than 7,000 Rotaract clubs with some 170,000 members in over 160 countries.
Rotaract clubs enable members to grow personally and professionally, address community needs, and promote international understanding through friendship and service.
Rotaract clubs hold meetings, usually every two weeks, which feature speakers, discussions, and visits to other clubs. Rotaract members also get together for service projects, social activities, and leadership workshops. You can find out more about Rotaract at www.rotaract.org
If you are interested, or just curious, please join us for a free informational meeting:
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Pearl St. Grill & Brewery
76 Pearl Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
There will be a presentation by Jen Middleton, President of the Brantford (Ontario) Rotaract Club. Although there is no fee to attend this meeting, please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting Sue Spindler at violetakasu@roadrunner.com or by calling (716) 681-2136.  

December 3rd Meeting: Meet the CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION

The slate of officers and directors will be presented at the Meet the Candidates forum at Shanghai Red's, Noon on December 3.
Elections will be held on December 10 at the Harbour Club in HSBC arena from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Officer candidates include: Ron Caruso, President-Elect; John Bradley, Vice President-Director; Charles Telford, Secretary-Director; and Joseph Brennan Treasurer-Director, each elected for one year. Each Officer is also a Director for one year. President-Elect Caruso serves for one year and then automatically becomes President in the following year
There are Four Directors, each elected for two years: Bryce Bixby, Megan Burns-Moran, Carolyn Murray and Anthony Diina.
You will want to hear what their sponsors have to say about each candidate.
In addition we are welcoming 8 members of the Credit Valley A.M in Mississauga who are coming for the hockey game that night. They are: Steve Brown, Dale Scheerer, Jim Kitchen, Wendell and Dustin Stanley, Jim Joeseph, Paul Kuel and President Elect Tim Doyle
Come early and say Hello.  

Rotary Club of Buffalo Gives Grant to Gerard Place

The Rotary Club of Buffalo recently presented a check for $10,000 to Gerard Place, a transitional housing and supportive services program for homeless single parent families, announced Rob Eck, chair of Rotary’s Community Grants Committee. The funds were used to help purchase and renovate a building to house the organization’s Community Education Program, which will serve the surrounding communities.
    “The Education building is an integral part of Gerard Place programming for our homeless families,” says David Zapfel, MPA, executive director. “Rotary was a key contributor to this project, and we are extremely grateful for their generosity, which allowed us to expand our facility and better serve our clientele.”
    “Rotary was very pleased to be able to assist Gerard Place with its new building,” says Eck. “They do a wonderful job helping homeless families develop the skills they need to become employed, educated and self-supporting. Their mission fits in perfectly with Rotary’s mission, and we’re glad to see them settled nicely in their new building.” 

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

About Gerard Place
    Since 2000, Gerard Place has provided transitional housing and supportive services for homeless single parent families. We strengthen families by empowering parents to achieve greater self-sufficiency. For more information about Gerard Place, please visit www.gerardplace.org.

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Buffalo Blog

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Buffalo offiical news blog.

Buffalo Rotary Foundation Installs New Officers and Trustees; Paul J. Marzello Sr. to Serve as President.

The Buffalo Rotary Foundation announces the installation of its new board of trustees for 2009-2010. Paul J. Marzello Sr., president of D.F. Williamson Co. Inc., has been installed as president and will serve a one-year term.  Mr. Marzello has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 1984.    Richard B. Adams, retired general manager of SFC Adams Inc., has been installed as vice president; Antone F. Alber, Dean, Wehle School of Business, Canisius College, has been installed as secretary; Wayne D. Bacon, retired president of Mills Welding & Specialty Gases, has been installed as assistant secretary; Edwin L. Meyer, president, E.L. Meyer & Associates, has been installed as treasurer; Wayne M. Mertz, president, Goergen Mackwirth Co. Inc, has been installed as assistant treasurer and Robert J. Galdys, president, BCS, is immediate past president.
    Newly-installed trustees include: Donald A. DeMeo, chief financial officer, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Stanley Kaznowski, treasurer, Curtis Screw Company, and Wayne D. Bacon.
Ex-officio officers include: Sandra L. Yeater, executive director, Tonawanda Pediatrics and current president of The Rotary Club of Buffalo, and Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock and Barclays, LLP, president-elect of The Rotary Club of Buffalo.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

About Buffalo Rotary Foundation
    The Buffalo Rotary Foundation awards grants to tax exempt organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility and authority regarding grant approvals which are, after being acted upon, sent to the Buffalo Rotary Foundation’s Board of Trustees for their consideration and action.

Rotary Club of Buffalo Gives Grant to the Food Bank of WNY

The Rotary Club of Buffalo recently presented a check to the Food Bank of Western New York in the amount of $7,700, announced Rob Eck, chair of Rotary’s Community Grants Committee.  The funds will be used for new equipment as the Food Bank renovates its test kitchen. 
    “The Food Bank is offering very important programs that teach children and adults to prepare healthy snacks and meals,” says Eck. “The new equipment will help further the mission of the Food Bank, and also supports the mission of Rotary. We are pleased to able to assist this wonderful organization that helps so many of our fellow Western New Yorkers.”
    The two programs offered by the Food Bank in its test kitchen include Kids In The Kitchen, a unique program that puts kids in control in the kitchen.  Children throughout Western New York come to the Food Bank to learn about cooking and healthy eating.  Guided by the Food Bank nutritionist, kids get a chance to understand how their eating habits affect their health.  They learn how to prepare simple snacks and meals (many of the recipes use products available at the Food Bank) and how to choose foods wisely to benefit their health. Good Cookin’ is a program whereby a registered dietician teaches adults menu planning, budgeting and healthy meal preparation.
    “This generous grant from Rotary allows us to upgrade our facility so we can accommodate more of our clients into these two very important programs,” says Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. “We are very grateful to Rotary.”

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.


About the Food Bank of WNY
Each month, 91,000 hungry Western New Yorkers – 40 percent of whom are children – turn to soup kitchens, food pantries and other emergency food providers. The Food Bank of Western New York acts as a bridge between available food sources and the hungry. The Food Bank of WNY is a nonprofit clearinghouse for food solicited from the private sector. This food, deemed “edible but unmarketable” by the food industry, is safely stored in our 50,610 square foot warehouse and then distributed to qualified charitable agencies working to feed the needy. The Food Bank of WNY is one of more than 200 food banks nationwide affiliated with the America's Second Harvest Food Bank Network. For more information, visit www.foodbankwny.org.

Rotary Club of Buffalo Installs New Officers and Directors; Sandra L. Yeater to serve as 99th President

The Rotary Club of Buffalo announces the installation of its new board of directors, effective July 1, 2009. Sandra L. Yeater has been installed as the 99th president of Rotary Club of Buffalo and will serve a one-year term.  Ms. Yeater is the executive director of Tonawanda Pediatrics and has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 2002. Previously, she was a member of the Orchard Park Rotary Club.
    Ronald H. Caruso, president, R.H. Caruso & Co., Inc., has been installed as vice president; Michael J. Grimaldi, partner, Lumsden & McCormick, has been installed as treasurer; William P. Keefer, partner, Phillips Lytle, has been installed as secretary and Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, has been installed as president-elect.
    Newly-installed directors include John Bradley, sales manager, The Alcott Group; Joseph P. Brennan, commercial loan officer, M& T Bank; Anthony N. Diina, president, Metrodata Service, Inc.; Robert D. Eck, area manager, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.; Paul Hurley, Jr., president, Trocaire College; David E. Knauss, president, Lehigh Construction Group, Inc.;  Carolyn M. Murray, Hunt Commercial Real Estate; Donald Ogilvie, superintendent, Erie 1 BOCES; Charles Telford, partner, Damon & Morey, LLP, and past Rotary Club of Buffalo president Dr. Antone F. Alber, dean of the Wehle School of Business at Canisius College.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities.  For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

Anthony J. Baynes to Receive Service Above Self Award from Rotary Club of Buffalo; Nine Others to Receive Pride of Workmanship Award at June 11 Meeting

Rotary Club of Buffalo will present its annual Service Above Self Award to Anthony J. Baynes, founder and owner of A.J. Baynes Group, at its June 11, 2009 luncheon at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena.  The A.J. Baynes Group, headquartered in Buffalo, is one of the leading third-party logistics and freight management providers in the country.  The A.J. Baynes Group encompasses A.J. Baynes Freight Contractors Ltd., Extra Mile Transportation, LLC and Evolution Development.
    The Service Above Self Award is given out annually by each local Rotary Club chapter. The recipients must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. Service rendered by the recipients through Rotary must have been on a continuing basis. Baynes is receiving the award from the Rotary Club of Buffalo “in recognition and appreciation of his exemplary leadership and relentless dedication to serving our community.”
    Baynes, a graduate of Buffalo State College, resides in Williamsville, New York with his wife. Elaine.
    Also at the luncheon, nine individuals will be presented with the Pride of Workmanship Award, which “recognizes employees who are the unsung heroes of their companies, who get the job done right the first time, and who display talent and the positive attitude meriting the Pride of Workmanship.”
    Recipients of this year’s Pride of Workmanship Award are Judy Armantia, LPN, Tonawanda Pediatrics; Barbara DeMartino, Fernwood Capital/Leasing; Kathleen Diina, Metrodata Services, Inc.; Justin Guerin, Food Bank of WNY; Deborah LaBounty, City Mission/Cornerstone; John McEnroe, Goodwill Industries/WNY; Nancy M. Muroff, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, BSA; Cecilia Smith, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, and Christy Stoebe, Foit-Albert Associates.
    The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Rotary Club of Buffalo presents a variety of speakers at its weekly luncheon meetings. The public is welcome. For more information, visit www.buffalorotary.org.