MEETING INFORMATION - Visitors Are ALWAYS Welcome!

Meetings are generally on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the Month

Check the calendar on the left for meeting specifics!

Newton Rotary Club Challenges the Community to Match Our Commitment to Fighting Hunger

The Newton Rotary Club is proud to announce a significant commitment to addressing food insecurity in our community. In collaboration with the City of Newton, the Harmony Foundation, and Village Bank, Newton Rotary is donating $1,000 to each participating local food pantry as part of a community-wide food drive honoring the enduring legacies of Setti Warren and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This initiative reflects the shared values championed by Dr. King and Setti Warren—service, justice, dignity, and collective responsibility. It also recognizes a simple truth: while moments of unity inspire action, the need to support families facing food insecurity does not end with a single event or season.

A Community Challenge

Newton Rotary is issuing a challenge to our community—to civic organizations, faith communities, businesses, neighborhood groups, and individuals—to match our donations or rally alongside us. Together, we can amplify the impact of this effort and ensure that support for our neighbors continues well beyond this drive.

“This is a powerful moment for our community, but it must also be a sustained one,” said Gayemarie Brown, President of the Newton Rotary Club. “We challenge others to stand with us. The spirit of service embodied by Setti Warren and Dr. King reminds us that the work of ensuring dignity and access for all is ongoing. This need continues, and so must our commitment.”

How Your Support Helps

All food and household items donated at Village Bank, the Newton Free Library, or Newton City Hall will be equally distributed among the participating food pantries:

Newton Food Pantry
Centre Street Pantry
Arabic Baptist Food Pantry

What to Donate

The greatest needs include:

Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)
Nut butters
Rice, pasta, and grains
Canned fruits and vegetables
Cooking oils, spices, and shelf-stable staples
Baby supplies (wipes, diapers)
Toiletries and household essentials

Newton Rotary Challenge!

This food drive continues through February, but its purpose extends far beyond that timeline. By coming together now—and committing to ongoing support—we honor the legacy of leaders who believed deeply in community action and shared responsibility.

Join Newton Rotary in meeting this challenge. Match our commitment. Strengthen our community. Ensure every family has access to nourishing food and the dignity of choice.

Join Us for a special Visit from District Governor Johnny Ahern

Please join us for an evening of community & learning with our Rotary District Governor Johnny Ahern.In addition to listening to Johnny’s interesting story as our first LGBTQ and youngest DG his journey from Marine to entrepreneur to community builder is an inspiration to all. Johnny will share his insights and vision for the future of Rotary, RYLA (Rotary Youth in Action), our new Interact club and any members interested in joining our wonderful Newton Rotary club. We will also be donating any funds raised to our RYLA fund - we plan to send 8 students to this wonderful weekend.

Date: Wednesday October 15th

Cost: $35/per person

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Payment at the door via Venmo or cash.

Venue: Post 440

RSVP: Please Scan the QR Code Below to let us know you are attending via facebook, or sign up here.

Pie In The Sky for Community Servings

Past Club President Marie Presti, Owner of The Presti Group realty agency, again spearheaded our ongoing commitment to

supporting Community Servings' Thanksgiving Pie fundraiser – Pie In The Sky. For 35 years, Community Servings has provided more than 13 million medically tailored meals (MTMs) to clients across Massachusetts who are living with severe critical and chronic illnesses such as HIV, cancer, diabetes, and kidney disease. Each pie that is sold for $35 provides a full week of nourishing meals.

Thanks to Marie’s energy and drive we also had a great opportunity to deliver extra pies to our first responders – Newton Fire Department and Newton Police Department, many of whom give up their Thanksgiving to be on call to serve our community. Members of Newton Rotary were out delivering our gratitude to the men and women who keep us safe.

Join Us for Pickle Ball!!

We are thrilled to be hosting Pickleball for a Purpose September 20th in partnership with the West Suburban YMCA. Beginners to advanced are welcome. You can register by scanning the QR code on the flyer or the links below. We are raising money for a good cause the YMCA's Out of School Time Program. Your $50.00 donation will be for a good cause.

Information:

This is a mixed-doubles pickleball tournament All skill levels are welcome (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced).

Your $50.00 donation will benefit the West Suburban YMCA’s Out-of-School Time (OST) program, serving students in grades K-6 from Newton and surrounding towns. OST offers an enriching after-school experience for 80 or more students each day. It allows parents and caregivers peace of mind, knowing their kids are happy, safe, and thriving at the Y. All proceeds from the tournament will enable the Y to ease the financial burden of childcare with affordable rates and a robust financial aid
program, which provides scholarships to one-third of students.

Sign up BELOW:

Advanced 3.5+ (8AM-10:30AM)

Beginner -3.25 (10:30AM-1PM)

Can’t Play But Wish To Donate CLICK HERE

Questions? Send an email to: rotarynewtonma@gmail.com

DOG FEST ROCKED!

Our first Dog Fest & Parade

It was a tail-wagging good time at the Dog Fest & Parade that happened on May 11th at the Hyde Center in Newton Highlands. Thanks to Rotary members Rae Mintz, Dave Sellers, Marie Presti, John Rice and Liz Tavares. This joyous event featured activities for dogs and dog lovers alike. There was also a vibrant marketplace with vendors offering everything from premium pet food and accessories to grooming services and fun doggy outfits.

The day culminated in a grand dog parade, a celebration of our beloved canine companions. Participants strutted their stuff in various costumes, adding a festive flair to the proceedings.

Newton Rotary supports therapy dogs

Rotarians particularly like "doing for the community". We are action oriented, service oriented community members and so it is fitting that our efforts from Pet Fest will support Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs Inc.

Funds raised on May 11th were donated by Newton Rotary Foundation to support Caring Canines Visiting Therapy Dogs Inc. They have over 40 volunteer dog and handler teams that serve more than 20 facilities on a regular basis at no cost throughout a service area in eastern Massachusetts. During these schedule group visits patients can gather and gain energy and strength from these furry friends.

We are so grateful for our Dogfest Supporters

These vendors participated in Dog Fest, Sunday May 11th, 2025 at the Hyde Community Center. Newton Rotary is so happy for their support.

Support our Boston Marathon Runner!

Nick Johnson is honored to participate in this years 129th Boston Marathon as a charity member for the Newton Rotary Club. He has completed 12 marathons and this will be his second Boston. He’s most excited for Heartbreak Hill and being cheered on by Newton residents! Nick has committed to raising a minimum of $10K. This is a key fundraiser for the Newton Club and goes toward supporting our scholarship fund for local high school students. These students are identified as kids who are going into the trades or technical fields and have demonstrated community and leadership. Nick's fundraising link is now up so please give us a hand and donate what you can.

CLICK HERE TO RAISE FUNDS

Lunar New Year!

The Year of the Snake

As part of a tradition that Rotarian, Past President and Village Bank legend Susan Paley began Newton Rotarians jump in to help serve food at the Lunar New Year festivities. This event is organized by the Newton Housing Authority and this year’s organizer Cipher Sun and team pulled off a great event in honor of the Year of the Snake. Dancing, singing and dragons entertained while Rotarians served trays of delicious food, and we were lucky enough to enjoy a meal while watching dragons as well. Thanks to Rotarians Paul Loiselle, Susan Paley, Michael Woo, Liz Nuss and we had a chance to hang for minute with the mayor.

MLK Day was a Great Success

MLK Day was a hit and a meaningful event in collaboration with FUSSN, The Harmony Foundation.

The theme this year weas Only When It Is Dark Enough Can You See the Stars, from Dr. King’s final speech. This year’s featured speaker was Myrtle Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor, Reverend Brandon Crowley who mesmerized the entire audience with his message, sincerity and passion. Other speakers include Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, School Superintendent Dr. Anna Nolin, and students from Newton North and Newton South High Schools. Musical performances were had by choir members from the Myrtle Baptist Church, soloist Christina Devon, ZOZA Quartet, and the All City Troubadours.

Newton Rotary had a good presence with volunteers Andy Willinger, David Sellers, Gayemarie Brown, Max Li and I-Ping Li at the actual event.

This event was also a food drive for the Village Bank and Rotary club and we had a great turn out of Rotary team to sort the food and distribute it thanks to Rae Mintz, David Park, David Sellers, Sara

Pollock DeMedeiros, Wendy Rousseau, and Liz Tavares.

A special shout out to Rotarian and past president Liz Tavares who was a key member of the MLK day committee to get this off the ground including inviting many other community organizations to participate in the community fair after the event. Congratulations to the entire MLK committee and the Harmony Foundation for a successful event

Club Lunch Meetings
West Newton (Boston) Marriott

Mar. 03, 2026
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Speaker: Meghan O’Connell, Master Horticulturist
Mar. 03, 2026
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Speaker: Fiona Cusack, Good Shepherd Community Care
Mar. 17, 2026
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Club Lunch Meetings
West Newton (Boston) Marriott

Apr. 07, 2026
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.