Stories

 

On September 27, our Rotary Club proudly joined forces for National Public Lands Day! We rolled up our sleeves at the Kennedy Park Rain Garden in Iselin, working side by side to clean, restore, and care for our local environment.

 

On October 9th, we had the honor of joining our fellow Rotarian, Steve Youngman, at the Chamber Awards Dinner, where he was presented with the prestigious Paul Harris Recognition one of the highest honors in Rotary.

 

Rotary Club President Isabel Munoz was unanimously nominated by the Club to receive the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Award for 2025, for her dedication and focus on growing the Rotary Club as well as fostering the spirit of volunteerism and "Service Above Self."

The Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy installed Walter Pearson from the Domestic Violence Response Team. He truly has a heart for service! The ceremony was led by our Assistant Governor, Tony Stainings .

The Rotary Club will participate in "Have A Heart Food drive again this year. 

 

 

In 2024, Mmembers of Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy collected nearly 600 lbs of food for the Woodbridge Township “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge, which replenishes local pantries after the holidays every year.  This year, each Rotarian will collect food from the list of items most needed by local pantries.

 

 

November 14, 2024, was an incredible day filled with community, service, and generosity.  The annual event honored one of the most active and impactful fraternal organizations in Woodbridge Township, the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks, which has two Clubs in Woodbridge Township, Woodbridge (Lodge #2116) and Colonia (Lodge #2282).  Mayor John E. McCormac gave the opening address. The dinner was a resounding success, and we are deeply grateful to the Elks for joining us to accept the awards. 

 

Sponsors of the dinner were: 

 

The tricky tray baskets were outstanding, and the grand prizes added an extra layer of excitement.  Every effort and donation contributed to support of a wonderful cause.  

 

 

 

Members of Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy collected nearly 600 lbs of food for the Woodbridge Township “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge, which replenishes local pantries after the holidays every year.  This year, each Rotarian gathered food from the list of items most needed by local pantries.

 

 

On Friday, November 3, the Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy celebrated 100 years of service. Keynote speaker and Acting District Governor Dr. Julie Phelps gave a keynote address with an entertaining historical perspective, and Mayor John McCormac presented Club President Amy Krysienski with Proclamations from Woodbridge Township and the New Jersey State Assembly and Senate. Two Paul Harris Awards were presented, one to Elroy Darden, Past President and Area District Governor, and a posthumous Paul Harris Fellow was accepted by Foy Cooley, CEO of Access Storage and the spouse of  award recipient Kenneth Wayne Cooley. Also recognized for longstanding Rotary service in Woodbridge and Perth Amboy were Ray Zirpolo, Ralph Winter, and John DeNoia with special mention of his role in the establishment and support of the Woodbridge Rotary Club Foundation scholarship fund.

 

The Rotary Club has accepted the annual challenge to a one-day fundraising challenge to take on the Kiwanis Club this holiday season.  Both clubs will have a day to ring the bell and raise money for the Salvation Army of Perth Amboy.  Visit Walmart in Woodbridge on Rt. 9 between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday, December 9th, and make a donation to help the needy--and help your fellow Rotarians defeat the Kiwanians.

Newly installed President Gordon R. McInally addressed Rotarians around the world with a challenge to create hope in the world with a focus on promoting peace and supporting mental health efforts.  View the 8-minute video to hear his address.

 

Members of Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy collected food for the Woodbridge Township “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge, which replenishes local pantries after the holidays every year.  This year, each Rotarian gathered food from the list of items most needed by local pantries.

 

 

 

Rotarian Amy Krsienski and WHS Interact Club Teacher Scott Semens added turkeys to the Thanksgiving basket deliveries in November.  The Interact Club has been running a food drive annually for several years, and this year they offered Rotarians a chance to contribute.

Woodbridge High School Interact Club Members organized a large donation of goods as well as baskets for their community in addition to their schoolwork, sports and outside activities, and exemplified "Service Above Self" for Woodbridge Rotarians who happily donated some turkeys to help complete the baskets.

 

Lieutenant Maihri Smeaton visited the regular meeting of December 2nd with Perth Amboy Kiwanis Club President, Ken Mayti, to challenge the Rotary Club to a one-day fundraising challenge to take on the Kiwanis Club of Perth Amboy.  Both clubs rang the bell to raise money for the Salvation Army of Perth Amboy on December 11th.  This year Rotary raised their Club best and exceeded the Kiwanian efforts, previous champions for 2020.

 

The Salvation Army is able to accept donations through this link:  https://salarmy.us/perthamboyredkettle if you, a friend or family member would have liked to join Rotarians in the challenge to assist the Salvation Army this season.

 

Middlesex Water Director of Communications and Vice President of Corporate Affairs Bernadette Sohler spoke at the regular meeting of Rotary WPA on November 4th.  Ms. Sohler is also Vice Chair of the Woodbridge Area Chamber of Commerce and exemplifies the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self" in her community involvement in Woodbridge Township.  Rotarians thanked her for sharing her time with lunch. fellowship and a classic, rotary mug.  Pictured left to right are Rotary Membership Chair Marta Darden, Bernadette Sohler and Club President for 2021-22, Monica Eppinger.

  

Area Governor and Past Club President Elroy Darden presented the Heroes Project Award to three Woodbridge Township first responders as part of the Township commemoration of 9/11 on Friday, September 10, at 6 pm, at the Memorial Grounds between Woodbridge High School and Woodbridge Main Library.

 

 

Raquel Minott from the Greenway Family Success Center was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of W-PA meeting on May 6th.  Raquel offered information on walk-in appointments that are now available at the Woodbridge Township Health Center.  Click HERE for more information.  

Members of Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy rallied in February to collect food for the Woodbridge Township “Have-A-Heart” Food Drive Challenge, which replenishes pantries after the holidays every year.  Special thanks go to Rotarian Ralph Winter for gathering two large donations of food that exceeded the 214 pounds.

 

Food was gathered by "We Feed Woodbridge," which replenished local pantries.  Peter Barcelona, Director of "We Feed Woodbridge," visited the Club in March to thank Club Members for donations over the years, as well as to update the Club on hunger in the Woodbridge and Perth Amboy area.

  

Dr. Robert Zega shared details of the Woodbridge Township School District Referendum that is the subject of a Special Election on March 10, from 2-8 pm.  Information is available on the School Board website by clicking HERE.

 

 

 

On December 14th, the Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy accepted the challenge to raise more funds than the local Kiwanis Club as both clubs assisted The Salvation Army of Perth Amboy.  Our Club raised $6 more, but more importantly, doubled the success of the day for the Salvation Army.  Thanks to Amy, Marta, Elroy and his beautiful Grands, Dov, Ray, Erin Zirpolo, Guest Speaker Michelle E. Dickinson, Riisa (who pulled a double shift) and Monica for taking time out of their busy holiday season to help.

 

Lieutenant Maihri Smeaton visited the meeting of December 5th to challenge the Rotary Club to a one-day fundraising challenge to take on the Kiwanis Club.  Both clubs will have a day to ring the bell and raise money for the Salvation Army of Perth Amboy.  Visit Wallmart in Woodbridge on Rt. 9 between 10 am and 6 pm on Saturday, December 14th, and make a donation to help the needy--and help your fellow Rotarians defeat the Kiwanians.

 

Michelle E. Dickinson, local author and a TED speaker, addressed the Rotary Club about Mental Health Advocacy and Strategy.  Her tactic was to discuss her own journey which started with growing up with a mother who was bi-polar. Visit https://www.michelleedickinson.com/ to learn more about Michelle's story and life.  A copy of  Breaking Into My Life (2018) by Michelle E. Dickinson was donated to the public library for all to read by Ray Zirpolo, and Michelle graciously signed the copy. 

 

 

Mayor John E. McCormac addressed the Rotary Club of W-PA as the first scheduled guest speaker of the year on Thursday, October 17th.  Rotarians and guests were informed on the progress of improvements to the schools, infrastructure, senior housing, and the Township's economic growth and development.  The Mayor was Club President Elroy Darden's first guest speaker of his term. Elroy has pledged to continue the tradition of connecting the Club with engaging monthly speakers in the metro Woodbridge and Perth Amboy area.

 

District Governor (DG) Ray Freaney inducted three new Rotarians this year on his Woodbridge-Perth Amboy visit during in ambitious tour of the 82 Clubs in Rotary District 7475.  The Rotary Club welcomed (left to right) Amy Krysienski, Business Development Officer for RSI Bank,  Nancy Drumm, Township Councilwoman-at-Large and Chamber of Commerce  Membership Director,  and Marta Lefsky Darden, Director of Planning and Development in Woodbridge Township.

Elroy Darden will serve as President of The Rotary Club of Woodbridge-Perth Amboy in 2019-20, having accepted the lead at an installation dinner on Thursday, June 20th.

 

Woodbridge High School's Interact Club helped set the table for over 60 Woodbridge families this Thanksgiving.