Sullivan Central Rotary Club  Making a Difference!

 

The Sullivan Central Rotary Club is the newest Rotary Club in Sullivan County, NY. The SCRC was officially granted its full club Charter on July 28, 2025 from Rotary International. Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 

The Sullivan Central Rotary Club provides a unique meeting structure allowing for a broad and diverse participation of members throughout Sullivan County and beyond its borders. 

Club News

Flags for Heroes 2026 Huge Success

The Sullivan Central Rotary Club welcomed over one hundred community members on one of the hottest days on record in our area to its Inaugural Flags for Heroes Cermony on Flag Day,  June 14, 2026 at the Sullivan County Government Center. 

The first year of an event is always difficult and this was true of this event, having to move the original ceremony date due to the American Flag shortage with so many flags being purchased for the 250th Birthday of the United States of America. But, that didn't phase the club as working in partnership with Sullivan County Government and its amazing Department of Public Works, the ceremony went off without a hitch.

Thank you to those in the DPW who went above and beyond to make this project possible, and Josh Potosak, County Manager, and the entire Sullivan County Legislature for collaborating with us to make it possible. 

In addition, Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay delivered a spectacular Keynote sharing the importance of heroes in our community and noting the everyday heroes as well. 

Involving youth is always important. Thank you to Rock Hill Troop 101 of Scouts of America for serving as our Color Guard. 

A day of celebrating those who live their lives demonstrative Service Above Self! Flags were displayed from June 3 - July 20. Funds realized from this event will benefit the good work of the Sullivan Central Rotary Club.  Thank you to all in our community who helped make this a huge success.  Sullivan Central Rotary looks forward to the 2nd Annual Flags for Heroes!

 

 

 

 

Flags For Heroes Ceremony Postponed
Happy 250th Birthday USA, BUT...
Thank you for the overwhelming support of our Flags For Heroes Project. To those who have reached out and purchased a flag, your donation will enable the Sullivan Central Rotary Club NY continue its good work in our community.
We can't wait to celebrate with the donors and our community in recognition of these honored heroes, however, we are disappointed to have to postpone the Celebration Ceremony from this Monday (Memorial Day) until June 14, 2026 (Flag Day) at 11am.
We were notified by our supplier that there has been a supply/delivery issue for American Flags due to the 250th Celebrations going on across the country. We ordered our supplies as originally discussed, but due to unforeseen circumstance in the demand issue, the Flags just arrived today, and the flag poles are not due to come in until at least Tuesday.
Rotarians are if nothing else, flexible in making necessary changes to get things done. We are grateful to those in the Sullivan County, NY Government Center, specifically DPW Commissioner Ed McAndrew and his staff, and County Manager Josh Potosek and his staff for working in collaboration to help shift this Celebration to an alternate date. In addition, thank you to the members of the Sullivan County Legislators, especially Chair Nadia Rajsz and Luis Alvarez, Dan Hust (Director of Communications), and Stephen Walsh from the Veteran Services for all their support and networking to help put this project together.
And, when Assembly Member Paula Elaine Kay and Senator Peter Oberacker found out we were seeking sponsors to help with costs, both immediately signed on to this bring great supporters of the cause! Thank you!
Please forgive the delay. We appreciate your understanding. And, please note - Flags are still available! Please reach out for more information!
 
 
 
Sullivan Central Rotary Flags for Heroes Available NOW!

Trying to find a way to honor a hero in your life?  The Sullivan Central Rotary Club is selling Flags for Heroes. Each flag purchased will be displayed at the Sullivan County Government Center from Memorial Day 2026 through July 4, 2026 with a ceremony at 10 am on Memorial Day, May 26, 2026. Honor Veterans, parents, police, community members, doctors – whomever is your hero. A commemorative medallion will be available to hang on the flag pole or to take with you to hang in your home. Flags are purchased for a donation of $50 each with proceeds to benefit the community work done by the Sullivan Central Rotary Club and to begin a Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 845 798-1770 or email sullivancentralrotaryclub@gmail.com or fill out the form below. 

 

Sullivan Central Rotary Club Charter and Installation Night Celebration

A fabulous Night of Celebration was had by all on November 6, 2025when Rotary District 7210 District Governor Beau Loendorf presented the Sullivan Central Rotary Club NY with its official Rotary International Charter, Installed the Charter Executive Board and Directors, and Officially Installed 35 Charter Rotary Member at The Eldred Preserve Restaurant.

Sullivan Central Rotary Club has hit the ground running. From its Sullivan Central Rotary Club Alzheimer’s Walk Sullivan Central Rotary Club Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Food Drive Baskets of Hope to benefit Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors Never Ending Coat Drive, Home Good Drive, and raising funds and donation of a Raffle Basket for Ride 2 Survive Sullivan County.

For the month of November they have planned the Not a Les Nessman Turkey Drop Collection, and will be working with the Regional Food Bank of the Hudson Valley for a Thanksgiving and More food distribution.

So much more being planned for the remainder of the Rotary year, so Lake and follow the Sullivan Central Rotary Club Facebook page to learn more about what the club is doing and if interested, how to join in the good work of Service Above Self

Additional photos can be found here: HERE

 

 

Sullivan Central Rotary Club Walks for Alzheimer's

💜Sullivan Central Rotary Club Walks to End Alzheimer’s

Our Sullivan Central Rotary Club members gathered at Bethel Woods on October 25, 2025 to take part in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

Together, we walked in support of all those affected by this heartbreaking disease and in hope of a future without Alzheimer’s raising to date over $2000 for the cause

It’s not too late to donate..every dollar makes a difference in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. 💪No donation is too big or too small when it comes to making an impact.

💜Service Above Self 💜

#WalkToEndAlz#EndAlz#SullivanCentralRotary#ServiceAboveSelf#RotaryInAction#RotaryRotary District 7210 Rotary District 7210 Region 5 Rotary International 

💜Link to donate: 

https://act.alz.org/.../Walk2025/NY-HudsonValleyChapter... 

 

 

Making a Difference with Make-a-Wish

Baskets of Hope

Sullivan Central Rotary Club raised over $2,500 with the “Baskets of Hope” Raffle to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation during the “Lemonade and Sweet Treats of Wishes” at Cunningham Family Farm on October 18. This annual event was inspired by Wish Kid Madelyn and her siblings Hannah, Adam, and Noah who run this special “Treats Stand” to raise funds for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley. Pictured L-R: Sullivan Central Rotary Club Executive Secretary Lori Orestano-James, Board Member Jodi Goodman, Membership Chair Jackie Rutledge, Co-President Brad Rutledge, Make-a-Wish Baskets of Hope Committee Member Melinda Little Green, Secretary & Chair Alyssa Wowk, Board Member Lauree Novogrodsky, Make-A-Wish Event Chair Colleen Cunningham, and Co-President Peter Chester.

 

 

 

 

History of Women in Rotary
Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.
 
 “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. 
 
The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
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Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. 

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” 

 

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Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic

An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick.

This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year.

The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley.

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