West Milford Rotary Club

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West Milford Rotary Club

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Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to All Concerned? Will it Build GOODWILL and Better Friendships? Will it Be BENEFICIAL to All Concerned?

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

2. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life.

4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

10/06/2026

An inspiring presentation last week from Sara Fede & Mike Walshe of Child Focus - CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, a non-profit organization arranging for CASA (court-appointed special advocate) volunteers that advocate for children in foster care.

Child Focus exists to champion the best interests of infants, children, and teens impacted by, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. Bridging the gap between case workers, social workers and the courts, ensuring the children, CASA and their volunteers have a voice. Serving over 600 children in foster care, with Passaic County having the highest rate of growth in children needing the program in the state of New Jersey, there is a chronic need for volunteers.

A CASA volunteer is a trained community member who advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect and are now in the foster care system. A CASA volunteer gets to know the child, gathers information from the important people in their life, and makes sure the child’s needs and best interests are advocated for in court.

Club president Rich Lindstrom arranged the visit and proudly presented a donation on behalf of the Club. For more information and how to become a volunteer, visit https://www.casapassaicunion.org

09/15/2026

FLAGS FOR HEROES - HONOR SOMEONE WHO INSPIRED YOU!

Behind every hero is a story. A story of courage, a story of sacrifice, and a story of service that deserves to be remembered. The West Milford Rotary Club is excited to kick off this year’s Flags for Heroes campaign, a special opportunity to honor the people who have made a difference in our lives and our community.

For just $25, you can dedicate a flag to your hero:

A Veteran
An Active-Duty Service Member
A Police Officer
A Firefighter
An EMS Professional
❤️ Or anyone who has been a hero in your life

This year, we are making the tribute even more personal. When you dedicate a flag, you will have the opportunity to submit a photo of your hero. We will proudly share these stories and faces on our website and Facebook, helping our community put a face and a story to the people we are honoring.

Because heroes aren't always found in history books.

Let's fill West Milford with flags and fill our community with stories of courage, love and gratitude.

📅 Submissions must be received by October 20, 2026.

❤️ Who is YOUR hero?
Honor them with a flag and help us make their story part of our community's story.

👉 Sign up and donate here:
https://www.westmilfordrotary.org/flags-for-heroes

$25. One flag. One hero. One story worth remembering.

Honor. Remember. Celebrate. Service above Self.

09/11/2026

Remembering September 11, 2001. Today, we pause.

In the face of unimaginable loss, we witnessed courage, compassion, sacrifice, and people coming together to help one another. 25 years later, we remember not only what was lost, but what we must continue to carry forward:

Kindness over fear.
Unity over division.
Service over self.
Hope over despair.

As Rotarians and as a community, may we honor those we lost by choosing to make a difference. One act of kindness, one helping hand, and one person at a time.

We remember. We honor. We serve. We hope.

09/02/2026

Our September Donation to Push to Walk 💙

At the West Milford Rotary Club, being recognized as Rotarian of the Month is an opportunity to make a difference. Our September Rotarian of the Month, Tom Ziegenbalg, chose Push to Walk as the recipient of our September donation, helping support an organization that brings strength, independence, confidence, and hope to individuals living with neurological conditions.

Push to Walk serves people living with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, traumatic and acquired brain injuries, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. Their specialized, one-on-one exercise programs help clients build strength, improve mobility, maintain independence, and maximize quality of life.

During our presentation, Lyndsay Wright, a Push to Walk board trustee and someone personally living with MS, shared how meaningful the organization’s work is to her. Celine Gustavson, Executive Director, shared the incredible story behind Push to Walk, founded nearly 20 years ago by a family determined to create a place in New Jersey where people with spinal cord injuries could continue to exercise and pursue their potential.

Their message was powerful: There is always hope. And there is always a reason to keep moving forward.

Our donation may be one contribution, but together, these contributions help make specialized programs more accessible and allow Push to Walk to continue changing lives.

👏 Thank you, Tom, for choosing such a meaningful organization.

And thank you to Lyndsay, Celine, and the entire Push to Walk team for the incredible work you do every day.

This is what Rotary Service Above Self looks like—one choice, one organization, one person, and one community at a time.

💙 West Milford Rotary Club - People of Action, Making a Difference.

Pictured Celine, Tom and Lyndsay (Left to right)

08/20/2026

🌟 Welcoming a New Member & Supporting a Worthy Cause! 🌟

The West Milford Rotary Club is proud to welcome our newest member, Dr. Laurie Roemmele! 💙

Laurie Roemmele, PhD, is Director of Development at Hands In 4 Youth at Camp Vacamas and brings 30 years of consulting experience, working with more than 80 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and public-sector agencies throughout New Jersey.

Her career has focused on creating meaningful impact for children, women, families, and underserved communities. With a doctorate in Organization Development and Management, Laurie brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and a holistic perspective to the organizations and communities she serves.

Laurie says it best: “Service to help others is the greatest benefit I receive from my work, and it definitely manifests itself through my commitment, drive, compassion, and of course, the fun I have doing it!”

We are delighted to have Laurie join our Rotary family and look forward to all the ways she will help us Serve Above Self! 🌎❤️

💙 Giving Back to Our Community

At our August 18 luncheon, we were also pleased to host Kelly Castner of the Dave Castner Memorial Foundation.
Kelly shared a moving story about her late husband, Dave, and the foundation created in his memory following his tragic motorcycle accident in 2023.

Dave believed strongly that everyone deserves a chance and that when someone asks for help, they should receive it. The foundation carries that belief forward by helping people in recovery regain their footing, including through outdoor activities Dave loved such as mountain biking, CrossFit, and mountain climbing.

The West Milford Rotary Club was honored to make a donation to support the Foundation's important work. 💙

The Foundation is also hosting its 3rd Annual Motorcycle Ride fundraiser on August 23. Learn more about the Foundation and its mission: https://davecastnermemorialfoundation.godaddysites.com/

🌎 People of Action. Service Above Self. Are you one of us? We would love for you to join our amazing club!

08/04/2026

What an inspiring and action-packed meeting at the West Milford Rotary Club today! 💙💛

We began by celebrating two exceptional leaders who have helped shape our club. Congratulations to Past President Amy Bennett on receiving her President's Gavel Plaque. Last session, we also had the privilege of honoring Past President Ken Quazza with the same recognition. Amy and Ken have both led with integrity, dedication, and a true heart for service. Their commitment has left a lasting impact on our club and community, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved. 👏
Our Rotarian of the Month, Eric Kerssen’s August charitable donation was directed to Servant's Heart Ministries—a remarkable organization that is changing lives one young person at a time. A special thank you to Ron for delivering a powerful presentation about the ministry's incredible mission.

🔨 Servant's Heart Ministries is a volunteer-led, donor-funded nonprofit that combines skilled trades with compassionate mentorship to help young adults build brighter futures. Through free, hands-on training in construction, welding, automotive repair, woodworking, and tiling, students gain practical skills, confidence, and career opportunities while being mentored by experienced professionals.
Beyond vocational training, their volunteers also renovate homes and community buildings, proving that when people come together with servant hearts, they can transform lives and entire neighborhoods.
✨ With more than 500 graduates and expanding programs in Paterson and Franklin, their impact continues to grow—and so does the need for volunteers, mentors, students, and community support.
Today's meeting was a wonderful reminder that Rotary is about so much more than meetings. It's about recognizing those who lead, celebrating those who serve, and partnering with organizations that create lasting change.

Service Above Self isn't just a motto; it's a way of life. Together, we can continue making a difference, one project, one partnership, and one life at a time.

08/01/2026

🇺🇸 We celebrated America's 250th with friends at Rich Lindstrom's Lake Party. It was an awesome day filled with great people, good vibes, and plenty of patriotic spirit.

Jungle Habitat – Live Band 1970's rocked the house. Nothing beats live music on the lake with friends, especially when they're playing all the classics!

We made some great memories together while celebrating the community and friendships that make West Milford such a special place.

Thank you Richard Lindstrom ! You rock! 🇺🇸🎶☀️

07/21/2026

This month, our West Milford Rotary Club donated to Bethel Ranch from the President's Fund.

Bethel Ranch has faithfully served our community for decades, providing hope, housing, compassion, and support to individuals facing difficult life challenges. As they begin a new chapter focused on community outreach, retreats, and recovery support, we are honored to help further their mission.

At Rotary, "Service Above Self" is more than our motto; it's our commitment to strengthening our community by supporting organizations that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Thank you to Rich Tucker for sharing stories and the vision of Bethel Ranch with our members and patiently answering our questions. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this organization will continue to have in West Milford.

Together, we build a stronger, more caring community.

Photo: Our president Richard Lindstrom (on the left) presented the check to Rich Tucker from Bethel Ranch earlier today.

💙 Service Above Self

07/07/2026

67 Years of Service Above Self ❤️💛

Today, we proudly celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the West Milford Rotary Club, a remarkable milestone that honors a legacy of compassion, leadership, and unwavering service to our community.

Since receiving its charter on July 7, 1959, generations of Rotarians have answered a simple but powerful calling: Service Above Self. For 67 years, members have dedicated their time, talents, and hearts to improving lives, supporting local initiatives, empowering our youth, and strengthening the bonds that make West Milford such a special place to call home.

As we also celebrate America's 250th year, we are reminded that the strength of our nation begins in communities where neighbors lift one another up. The West Milford Rotary Club is a shining example of that spirit, proving that lasting change is created not by a few extraordinary people, but by ordinary people who choose to serve with extraordinary commitment.

To every past and present Rotarian, volunteer, community partner, and supporter: thank you for building a legacy that continues to inspire future generations.

Here's to 67 years of making a difference, and to many more years of friendship, fellowship, and service.

💙 Happy 67th Anniversary, West Milford Rotary Club! Do you value service above self? Come join us!

Address

3219 RT-23
Oak Ridge, NJ
07438

Opening Hours

12:15pm - 1:30pm

Telephone

+12013887717

Website

http://www.westmilfordrotary.org/

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