August: Back to School BBQ at Keane Elementary School
October: Trunk or Treat at Keane Elementary School
November: School yard clean up at Keane Elementary School
December: Winter Wonderland at Keane Elementary School
February: Book Fair at Keane Elementary School, provided one free book for every student.
April: Earth Day at Keane Elementary School
May: Mothers' Day at Keane Elementary School, including planting of marigolds in school flower beds.
June: Cornhole for a Cause raised $21,000+, Awarded one $1500 Scholarship to a Schenectady High School Senior
President Lisa Jackson, 2023-2024
In the winter of 2023 our club became a partner in the Schenectady Community School Initiative. A relationship was forged with Keane Elementary School and we promised to build a Community Resource Room to serve their students and families with vital resources including a kitchen, washers and dryers, and the space for a food pantry, clothing closet, and enrichment programming. In under 13 months we raised close to $25,000 and completed the project with a ribbon cutting in March 2024.
Working closely with Keane’s administration and parent liaisons, Shantie and Maria, Schenectady Rotary was also able provide winter coats when their supply ran low, provide free costumes at Trunk or Treat, we had fun interacting with children at our free marigold planting stations at the Earth Day event.
Our members planted over 200 daffodil and tulip bulbs in the fall and more flowers in the Spring. We trimmed trees, raked gardens, and picked up litter because the students deserve a beautiful space to learn.
A group of Rotarians met with 5th grade students weekly for several months to work on math skills to prepare for state exams.
In addition, our club supported Salvation Army by ringing bells, City Mission with donations of warm socks and gloves, the Alzheimer’s Association, and The Out of the Darkness Walk.
Schenectady Rotary continued to support Rotary International’s Youth exchange program by hosting inbound student Giovana from Brazil and outbound student Alaina Jackson to The Netherlands.
We were also able to fund two high school scholarships to students at Schenectady High School.
Schenectady Rotary provided funding toward a project run by a Rotary Club in India that was building an Addiction Rehabilitation Clinic and our funding put chairs in their waiting room.
Our international committee continued to make strides on the Matagou Water project in Haiti and we hope to see that project come to fruition as well.
We also continued our relationship with Schenectady Arc (now Liberty Arc) as we partnered with them on our Mums, Wreaths, and Spring Flower sales.
In all, our members provided more than 900 service hours and completed projects valued at about $50,000 this year.
President Nicholas Clay, 2022-2023
President Ellen McHale, 2021-2022
President William "Mac" Sudduth, 2020-2021
Monetary Distribution Recipients
Club support for water filters purchased and delivered to communities in Haiti
Donation to the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy Boys Group for winter coats
Donation to Habitat for Humanity
Provided funding for purchase of disposable face masks for the medical staff in a Haitian Medical Center. Staff were unable to work unless they provided their own masks. Due to the pandemic, medical staff was not receiving paychecks.
Community Service Activities
Spring and Fall garden and grounds cleanup at Vale Park, Schenectady
Provided career training seminars, interview techniques, clothing donations, and mentoring at the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy Journey to Success program
Supported the Salvation Army annual bell ringing campaign with volunteers several days
Trivia Night fundraiser to raise funds for Schenectady High School scholarships.
Delivered water filters to communities in Haiti who lack clean drinking water
A committee is working hard to obtain resources and build a sustainable water delivery system via pump and treated water to the Matogou community in Haiti.
In additional to organized projects, individual Rotary members are active in many other areas of the community.
President Margaret Holoday, 2019-2020
Monetary Distribution Recipients
Schenectady Rotary Foundation: Centennial Clock gifted to the City of Schenectady
Donated a fully stocked Ambulance to Matogou Haiti, in partnership with the Mayo Clinic and Mohawk Ambulance
Community Service Activities
Spring and Fall garden and grounds cleanup at Vale Park, Schenectady
Assisted with food deliveries for Salvation Army throughout the pandemic
Provided career training seminars, interview techniques, clothing donations, and mentoring at the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy Journey to Success program
Supported the Salvation Army annual bell ringing campaign with volunteers for 54 hours
Organized a Breakfast with Santa. Most tickets sold were donated to area children served by Schenectady Salvation Army.
Trivia Night fundraiser during the pandemic. The event provided a night of laughter and socially distanced interaction while raising funds for High School scholarships.
Delivered water filters to communities in Haiti who lack clean drinking water
A committee is working hard to obtain resources and build a sustainable water delivery system via pump and treated water to the Matogou community in Haiti.
In additional to organized projects, individual Rotary members are active in many other areas of the community.
President Chris Henry, 2018-2019
May 2019: Rotarians clean up Vale Park
Schenectady Rotary Club had numerous accomplishments in 2018-2019. Members participated in both local and international service projects, developed new youth programs, supported community organizations, and kicked-off a large-scale international water project.
The club hosted several fundraisers which will serve to support numerous projects, grants, and programs in 2019-2020.
Schenectady Rotary/Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy (SCLA) Journey to Success Program including professional clothing room, Career Readiness Program, mentoring, and job fairs
Transitioned Interact Club to the Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy (SCLA)
Contributions to Schenectady ARC via centerpiece and flower sales
Formally gifted a clock to the City of Schenectady to commemorate the Centennial of Schenectady Rotary and 100 Years of Service Above Self. The clock will be installed at a later date.
Hosted 25+ speakers at the club meetings
Breakfast with Santa at Applebee's. Donated many tickets to local children.
Produced our signature Karaoke Fundraiser at the Schenectady Armory Center
