Olean Rotary Club

03/18/2026

The Advantage of Being a Rotarian

Rotary opens doors you may not expect.

✔ Opportunities to lead
✔ Opportunities to serve
✔ Opportunities to build friendships that last a lifetime

Across District 7090 and around the world, Rotarians don’t just talk about change — we make it happen.

From supporting local communities to tackling global challenges like polio, Rotary connects people who want to make a difference.

That’s the advantage of being part of Rotary.

👇 Rotarians, what has been the biggest benefit for you?

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

The Olean Rotary Club will host its 8th Annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner on Monday, May 11, 2026, recognizing three organizations whose long-standing service has made a lasting impact on the Olean community.

The event will be held at Woodside Tavern on the Range, 3319 W. River Road, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. and the award presentation. The evening will feature a buffet dinner with a cash bar.

This year’s honorees are Harvest Field Ministries, the Olean Food Pantry, and The Warming House. Together, these organizations represent decades of service addressing food insecurity and other critical community needs.

Tickets for the Service Above Self Awards Dinner are $45 per person or $85 per couple. Tickets may be purchased at the door, by mail to P.O. Box 121, Olean, NY, or by reserving online at https://portal.clubrunner.ca/344/Events/serviceaboveselfdinner

Reservations are requested by May 1.

Past recipients of the Service Above Self Award include Meme Yanetsko; the Olean Area Service Club, including the Exchange Club, Lions Club, and Zonta; the Allegany American Legion Ritual Team; the Crandall family with Curt, Cathy, and Cory; Dan Evans; Linda O’Brien and Dan Spring; the Enchanted Mountain Garden Club of Allegany and the Olean Gardens and Beautification Committee; and the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.

The Olean Rotary Club is a service organization of professionals dedicated to improving quality of life locally and internationally.

03/13/2026

One of the most impactful ways we, as a Rotary Club, can reach and help others is by applying for a District Grant to support one of our community partners. This year, we had the opportunity to apply for a second Rotary District 7090 - Southern Ontario & Western New York district grant and were able to assist the only family shelter in Cattaraugus County.

Working with our community partners at Genesis House of Olean, the grant helped provide a new bathtub and shower in one of their family apartments, improving the living conditions for the families staying there.

Here are the before and after photos.

03/12/2026

Last Monday, members of the Olean Rotary Club had a wonderful opportunity to visit the 3rd grade classes at Allegany Limestone Elementary School.

During the presentation, students were excited to discover all the interesting things inside their new dictionaries. As curious third graders do, they asked great questions and were eager to explore the words, maps, and facts found throughout their books.

As Rotarians continue their school visits, including a stop at Allegany-Limestone, the project will bring the total number of dictionaries distributed to approximately 4,575 over the past 16 years, helping young students build the reading, writing, and curiosity skills that will serve them for years to come.

The Dictionary Fund is sustained through donations from the Olean Rotary Club and community members, whose generosity is greatly appreciated. The club’s Community Improvement Fund, which includes the Dictionary Fund, also supports projects such as repairs and renovations to the Lincoln Park Gazebo and other community initiatives.

For more information or to make a donation, visit:
https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1196

03/11/2026

Last Friday, members of the Olean Rotary Club had a wonderful opportunity to visit with the 3rd grade classes at Portville Central School District.

During the presentation, students were fascinated by all the interesting things they could discover in their new dictionaries. As curious third graders do, they asked some wonderful questions and were eager to explore the words, maps, and facts inside their books.

The Rotary Club was grateful for the opportunity to visit Portville and spend time with the students while continuing a program that has become a meaningful tradition in the community. For the past 16 years, the club has been providing dictionaries to local third graders as part of this literacy initiative.

As Rotarians continue their school visits, including a stop at Portville Central School District, the project will bring the total number of dictionaries distributed to approximately 4,575 over the past 16 years, helping young students build the reading, writing, and curiosity skills that will serve them for years to come.

The Dictionary Fund is sustained through donations from the Olean Rotary Club and community members, whose generosity is greatly appreciated. The club’s Community Improvement Fund, which includes the Dictionary Fund, also supports projects such as repairs and renovations to the Lincoln Park Gazebo and other community initiatives.

For more information or to make a donation, visit:
https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1196

03/10/2026

The CRCF scholarship application process closes tomorrow!

If you’re a student planning for college, trade school or continuing education, now is the time to submit your application. CRCF scholarships help support local students as they take the next step toward their goals - and we don’t want you to miss out.

Apply today at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships

Applying using the system’s universal application will allow students to quickly apply for any of the more than 100 scholarship opportunities available to them.

Applications must be complete and submitted by March 11.

03/09/2026

Membership Monday 💙

You’ve already experienced the power of Rotary.

You’ve been a:
• Group Study Exchange participant
• Vocational Training Team member
• Ambassadorial Scholar
• Youth Exchange student, host family and more

You’ve seen the impact.
You’ve built international friendships.
You’ve grown personally and professionally.

So here’s the question…

Have you thought about becoming a Rotarian?

Rotary Alumni are leaders, changemakers, and global citizens. You understand our values because you’ve lived them.

Now may be the perfect time to reconnect
to serve locally,
to lead boldly,
and to belong to a network that continues creating change around the world.

Your Rotary journey doesn’t have to end.
In fact, it might just be beginning.

Ready to take the next step?

👉 Message us directly
👉 Visit rotary.org/join to find a club near you
👉 Or reach out to any Rotary club in District 7090

We would love to welcome you home.

03/08/2026

March 8th is International Women's Day. We celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women around the world. International Women’s Day is a reminder to honor the progress made, recognize the challenges that remain, and continue striving for equality in every space — from our homes and workplaces to our communities and beyond.

Here’s to the women who lead, inspire, nurture, create, and break barriers every day. Your voices matter. Your dreams matter. You matter.

Happy International Women’s Day! 💜

03/06/2026

Earlier this week, members of the Olean Rotary Club had a wonderful opportunity to visit with Mrs. Goodling’s third grade class at the Hinsdale Central School during their Dr. Seuss celebration week, where students were enjoying the fun of Wacky Wednesday.

It was an especially meaningful day for Rotary Assistant Governor and President-Elect Paula Bernstein, who had the chance to surprise her niece, Stella, by joining her class that afternoon and sharing the excitement of receiving their dictionaries together.

During the presentation, students were fascinated by all the interesting things they could discover in their new dictionaries. As curious third graders do, they asked some wonderful questions—like “What is your favorite word that starts with an R?” and “What is your favorite word that starts with a C?” Questions that most adults don’t often think about, but ones that made the afternoon especially fun and engaging. (Resilient and Courageous for the author of this post)

The Rotary Club was grateful for the opportunity to visit Hinsdale and spend time with the students while continuing a program that has become a meaningful tradition in the community. For the past 16 years, the club has been providing dictionaries to local third graders as part of this literacy initiative.

As Rotarians continue their school visits, including a stop at the Portville Central School District, this afternoon, the project will bring the total number of dictionaries distributed to approximately 4,575 over the past 16 years, helping young students build the reading, writing, and curiosity skills that will serve them for years to come.

The Dictionary Fund is sustained through donations from the Olean Rotary Club and community members, whose generosity is greatly appreciated. The club’s Community Improvement Fund, which includes the Dictionary Fund, also supports projects such as repairs and renovations to the Lincoln Park Gazebo and other community initiatives.

For more information or to make a donation, visit:
cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1196 📚

So what is your favorite word starting with a M?

03/05/2026

What a great opportunity for someone....