“For the first snow of the season Daleyssa and Juleissa Perez are warm and pretty in pink thanks to Warm the Children program.  The girls and their mom shopped with Blasdell Elementary teacher and volunteer shopper Carrie Anderson earlier this month, just in time for the cold weather”.

Currently, 346 youngsters from 136 families in the southtowns have been provided new, warm winter clothing as a result of generous contributions to Warm the Children.

Special thanks are extended to the following organizations and businesses for making a major gift to Warm the Children:  Baille Lumber, Louise K. Mokadam Family Trust, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Tournament, Hamburg Women’s Golf Tournament, Zonta Club of Hamburg and Orchard Park, Hamburg Music Festival, Hamburg Retirees, Ferrous Manufacturing and Evenhouse Printing.

From a grateful Blasdell parent after shopping with her two young daughters:  “ Thank you so very much.  I can never repay such a beautiful gesture.  God bless you and thanks for being so patient with us.”

From a dedicated volunteer Warm the Children shopper: “I’m happy to relay that the family I shopped with was very appreciative, especially one grandmother who is raising her grandchildren after the sudden death of her daughter, whose youngest child was only 5 months old at the time.”

The Rotary Club of Hamburg recently inducted Zabrina Nedimeyer into the esteemed service organization. Rotary President Brandi Reed and Tom Johnston, right, conducted the ceremonies welcoming Ms.  Nedimeyer, who is employed as a special education teacher with Autism Services.  At left is Rotarian Michele Hanley, who is also Zabrina’s mother and sponsor. Michele and Zabrina made history as the first mother-daughter team in the Rotary club that was founded 76 years ago. The club coordinates Warm the Children, which has just kicked off for the 2018 season, provides college scholarships to Hamburg and Frontier high school students and is one of the four service organizations that coordinates the Burger Fest each July. Author - Eileen Hotho

The Rotary Club of Hamburg at its July 31 meeting wished “bon voyage” to its outbound Rotary Exchange Student Shayna Fitzpatrick, who will leave in early August to spend a year in Argentina attending school and living with three different families over the course of her visit. A 2018 graduate of Hamburg High School, Shayna has some Spanish speaking skills and looks forward to learning more about her chosen country. She is the daughter of Becky Barnell and Steve Fitzpatrick. Soon after Shayna leaves Hamburg, Rotary’s inbound student, Max Kellenberger, 17, of the Czech Republic will arrive in Hamburg and will attend Hamburg High School as a senior this fall. The Hamburg Rotary Club is seeking local families who are interested in hosting Max for one of the 3 and ½ month periods during his stay, with the first rotation to end around Thanksgiving. Anyone who is interested in finding out about becoming a host family may contact Lisa Avery at lavery23@gmail.com. Pictured above are from left: Rotary Youth Chair Earl Knauss, Rotary Club President Brandi Reed, Shayna Fitzpatrick and Rotary Youth Chair Lisa Avery. Rotary strives to make the world a better place with many global initiatives, including the eradication of polio. The Hamburg club coordinates Warm the Children, provides college scholarships to Hamburg and Frontier high school students and is one of the four service organizations that coordinates the Burger Fest each July. Rotary meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. at JP Fitzgerald’s Restaurant. (Author - Eileen Hotho)

The Rotary Club of Hamburg at its June 5 meeting awarded $1,000 college scholarships to local high school seniors. From left are Rotarian Earl Knauss, Hamburg High School student Aydon Stormer, Frontier High School Student Tom Notto, Rotary President Jerry Bastedo, St. Francis High School student Dante Guizzotti and Rotarian Patricia Castiglia. Rotary supports projects on the local, national and international level. The Hamburg club was founded in 1942 and since 2007, has coordinated Warm the Children, provides college scholarships to Hamburg and Frontier high school students and is one of the four service organizations that present the Burger Fest each July. (Author Eileen Hotho)

Once again the Rotary Club of Hamburg will be participating in a youth exchange program. Rotary International hosts and sends high school students on an educational exchange with countries around the world.  Our Hamburg club is sponsoring an outbound student who will be going to Argentina. We are hosting a young man from the Czech Republic who will be attending Hamburg High School.

It is preference of Rotary that each of our students stay in three homes for about three and a half months each. We believe in that way students have a chance to experience more than one type of household and one type of family while they are here.

If you are interested in hosting a student this year, or learning more about the program, please email lavery23@gmail.com and we will get you more information. This program benefits the student as well as the Hamburg household who welcomes a guest. Truly a student may enter your home as a guest, but most leave as family. To do research on your own, simply go to www.rotaryye7090.org to learn more.   

The Rotary Club of Hamburg recently inducted Jill Martucci into the esteemed service organization. Rotary President Jerry Bastedo, right, conducted the ceremonies welcoming Ms. Martucci who is employed in the Enterprise Risk Management Division of the Bonadio Group. At left is Rotarian Tyler Shaw who sponsored her. (Author Eileen Hotho)

The Rotary Club of Hamburg has welcomed into its ranks Dr. Richard Hughes, who transferred his membership from the Mohawk Valley Rotary Club to Hamburg. Dr. Hughes joined the local club after becoming superintendent of the Frontier Central School District and relocating from the Adirondacks area of New York State. Rotary President Jerry Bastedo, right, is shown with Dr. Hughes.  (Author - Eileen Hotho)

For the 15th year, the Rotary Club of Hamburg is hosting a Breakfast with the Bunny for children, parents, grandparents, and anyone interested in an Easter holiday event.  The breakfast will be held Saturday March 24th, 2018 at Oakwood Manor, 2985 Lakeview Rd. (across from the Hamburg Ice Arena).  A pancake and sausage breakfast with other “breakfast goodies” will be served. 

Face painting will be provided free of charge by the Hamburg YES students and a theme basket auction will be available with outstanding baskets.  Our own Easter Bunny will be present to delight the children. Photos with the Bunny can be taken using your own camera at no charge.

Two seating times are available:  9:00 am to 10:30 am and 10:45 am to 12:10 p.m.  Presale tickets are recommended due to limited seating and may be obtained by calling 867-8388 or by email at BreakfastWithTheBunny@gmail.com.  Walk-ins will be accommodated on a space available basis.  Tickets cost $5.00 for children 2-10 years old and $9.00 for ages 11 and up.  Advance sale tickets will be available for pick- up at Brierwood Wine and Spirit Shoppe, 5452 Southwestern Blvd., at the corner of Southwestern Blvd. (Rte 20) and Rogers Rd.

All proceeds, as usual, go to local Hamburg area charities and your support is greatly appreciated.  For a copy of the 2018 Breakfast with the Bunny Flyer please click here.   https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000000329/en-ca/files/sitepage/breakfast-with-the-bunny/breakfast-with-the-bunny-2018-flyer/BWTB-2018-Flier.pdf