The Gloucester Rotary Club

"Service Above Self"

Rise Against Hunger Event – March 21
 

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On Saturday, March 21, the Rotary partnered with Bethlehem United Methodist Church and other community members at the church's Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event. Together, we packaged 10,000 meals that will be sent across the world to feed those in need.

(Names of those pictured: Brain Sterling, Lester Sterling, Raleigh Tozer, Nancy Dykeman, and Ariel Matthews.)
Learn About Rise Against Hunger

Spring Clean Gloucester Event – March 20
 

On March 20, the Gloucester Rotary continued its tradition of participating in Gloucester's bi-annual Clean Up Day. Thank you to our members Frank Wingfield, Jay McGlohn, Nancy Dykeman, and Lester Sterling who picked up trash and debris along Warehouse Road, and to all who participated in this spring's clean up day!
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Constructing a New Entrance
at Bread for Life!

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Thanks to funding from the Rotary District Grant and the Gloucester Rotary Club, we are constructing a new client entrance at the Bread for Life Food Pantry! Thank you to Gary Hermanson, Lester Sterling, Jim Raposa, Henry Moncure, Jay McGlohn, and Steve Humphrey for their hard work on the build!

A long-time Rotary partner, Bread for Life has provided food for Gloucester households since 2009.  The pantry is open Mondays (11AM–2PM) and Wednesdays (1PM–4:30PM) and offers a wide variety of wholesome foods. Anyone facing food insecurity is welcome, and there is no screen process.

 
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March 12 Meeting and Presentation on

Sail Beyond Cancer by Kim Lawver


Kim Lawver, Executive Director of Sail Beyond Cancer Virginia, joined us for our March 12 meeting. She shared about the unique work of this national organization and its mission to offer respite and memorial sailing trips for those impacted by cancer. The Rotary was happy to present Kim with a donation for the Virginia Chapter of Sail Beyond Cancer, which opened in Gloucester in Spring 2025.


Names of those pictured (from left to right): Dick Foard, Frank Wingfield, Kim Lawver, Lester Sterling, AJ Brown, Nancy Dykeman, and Jay McGlohn
 

GMCC's Business of Caring Breakfast


The Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic and its partners hosted their Business of Caring Breakfast at Abingdon Ruritan Club on March 12.
 

 During the breakfast, attendees heard from Dr. Shannon Kennedy, President of Rappahannock Community College, who shared information about the Clinic and its importance "to the future of healthcare in our region."​​​

The Gloucester Rotary is grateful to have been in attendance and appreciates the vital role the Clinic places in our community. 
Learn More About the Clinic

Feb. 12 Meeting and Presentation on Human Trafficking by Amelia Stansell

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Former district governor Amelia Stansell joined us for our February 12 meeting, where she spoke about the crisis of human trafficking and Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS).

We appreciate the work she and RAGAS do to "promote education, peace, freedom, and healing."

2025 Flags for Heroes
 

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Each November, the Rotary displays 50 sponsored Flags for Heroes to celebrate those service women and men who have shaped and inspired us. This year, flags were displayed in front of Chic-fil-A from November 6–16. Thank you to all who sponsored a flag and to all of our veterans for their service.

Gloucester County Rabies Clinic — Nov. 1st
 

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On November 1 the Gloucester Rotary co-hosted the county's semi-annual Rabies Clinic on November 1, continuing its longstanding support of the pets of Gloucester!

Thank you for helping us keep Gloucester and its pets safe!
 
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Thank you to all who joined us on October 10 for Gloucester's Fall Clean Up! The Rotary continued its tradition of picking up trash and debris along Warehouse Road, and is proud to do its part in keeping Gloucester beautiful. 

October 9th Meeting — Guest Speaker County Administrator, Carol Steele


On October 9, Gloucester County Administrator, Carol Steele, joined our bi-monthly meeting to share updates on behalf of the county and its programs.  We thank her for her presentation and for her service to our county!
 
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41st Annual Pig Roast 
 

On September 25, Gloucester Rotary held its 41st Annual Pig Roast at Ware River Yacht Club. Thank you to all sponsors and the more than 200 attendees! Together we raised over $18,000, all of which will go towards the Gloucester Rotary's local grant programs and student scholarships. We can't wait to do it all again next year!

September 11th Meeting — Guest Speaker Barbara Monteith with the Alzheimer’s Association.

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On September 11, Barbara Monteith joined us to present on the work of the Alzheimer’s Association. We are grateful for this organization and the important support and resources they continue to offer!

August 28th Meeting — Guest Speaker Babs Zuhowski with Rural Housing Partnership

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On August 28, Babs Zuhowski joined us for our bi-monthly meeting to provide an update on the Rural Housing Partnership. This club-supported project includes providing a hot water heater for a local family and replacing rotting stairs of a home with graduated accessibility steps.

August 14th Meeting — Guest Speaker William Cawley with Institute for Economics & Peace


On August 14, Institute for Economics & Peace Ambassador, Bill Cawley, presented on the IEP Pillars of Positive Peace, which focuses on fostering well-functioning, equitable, and transparent organizations. 
 
Learn More About IEP

30th Annual Golf Tournament on June 27th
 

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The Gloucester Rotary held its annual golf tournament on June 27th at Golden Eagle Golf Course in Irvington. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of friendly competition, beautiful scenery, and exciting prizes! With your help, we raised over $16,000, which will go toward supporting Rotary-funded projects and student scholarships!

If you have any questions, please email gloucester.va.rotaryclub@gmail.com.

May 8th Benefactor Meeting @ PEMS
 

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Some of Gloucester Rotary's 2024-2025 benefactors joined us for our May 8th meeting to share updates on their projects and connect with fellow organizers. Last year, the Club participated in over 50 projects and gave over $30,000 back to the community, including seven $1000 scholarships to Gloucester High School students. We are proud to support the work of our county’s change makers and look forward to continuing project and funding initiatives!

Pictured front row from left to right: Pastor Chuck Winter, Tracey Reed, Wendy Roundy, Michelle Wells, Katrina Brown, and Joyce Emerson; Back row: Buddy Rilee, Sally Hartley. Arlene Armentor, Emily Mathews, Laura Brewer, Catherine Hale-Elliott, and Jackie Coffey.
Rise against hunger

March 29th Rise Against Hunger Event 




 
On Saturday, March 29th, Bethlehem United Methodist Church hosted a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event. Community members from across the county came together to raise $4,100 and package 10,000 meals. Thank you to the Gloucester Rotary members who donated to or volunteered for this initiative, and special thank you to Bethlehem UMC for leading this project.

(Photo from the Rise Against Hunger website)
 
Learn About Rise Against Hunger

Antler Trail Building at Machicomoco State Park

On February 1st, eight members of the Gloucester Rotary helped build the Antler Trail at Machicomoco State Park. We are thankful for the beautiful weather and grateful to Steve Wood, Brian Kirschbaum, Steve Humphrey, Jon Lucy, Josh Mazzantutta, Craig Monsen, Henry Moncure, and Lester Sterling for the work they accomplished!
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Toys for Tots Project

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Using funds donated by Gloucester Rotary members, Board Members Kristi Rowe and Sarah Burney purchased 50 toys for Toys for Tots! (Pictured here: Kristi Rowe.)

Thank you to all of the members that donated, and Happy Holidays from the Gloucester Rotary!

Bread for Life Collection

The Gloucester Rotary recently hosted its annual Christmas Party, where we collected 92 lbs. of food/non-food essentials and $300 for the Bread for Life Food Pantry. Thank you to all those who donated! (Pictured is Vice President Elect, Lester Sterling, dropping off our donations.)
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Commemorating the Ellis Hall and Bob Marble Memorial Garden

On October 25th, community and Rotary members alike gathered in front of Edgehill Town Center on Main Street to commemorate the Ellis Hall and Bob Marble Memorial Garden. Ellis and Bob were founding members of Gloucester Rotary and remained in dedicated service to the club and the county until their passing. We are grateful for their work and are proud to memorialize them with this beautiful community space. We also extend our gratitude to Ike's Landscape and Pest Management for designing and upkeeping the garden.
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Abingdon Community Day — June 15th

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On Saturday, June 15th, the Gloucester Rotary attended the first annual Abingdon Community Day, where we signed up children for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Nearly 400 people came out to enjoy good food, local artisans, and various games and activities. Thank you to Abingdon Episcopal Church for hosting this community-wide event!

Recent Installations at Machicomoco State Park

This spring, the Gloucester Rotary provided and installed shade sails and 2 picnic tables for an outdoor classroom at Machicomoco
State Park. The space will be used to educate visitors on the Indigenous Peoples of the area.

Our members also constructed and installed 14 benches along the park's trails.

We are proud to improve the park experience and encourage all to enjoy this wonderful local resource!
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Delivering Toiletry Kits 

 At the Chesapeake Presidents Elect Training Seminar (CPETS), held from February 29 to March 2, Rotarians from across the region packaged 2000 toiletry kits to distribute to those in need. Gloucester Rotary provided 13 kits each to the Gloucester High School Care Closet and the Homeless Bus. 

Pictured in the first photo from left to right: Robbie Klaus, Taylor Rodgers, Nancy Dykeman, Steve Humphrey, Henry Moncure, and Parker Goldstein.

Pictured in the second photo from left to right: Henry Moncure, Nancy Dykeman, Steve Humphrey, and Wendy Roundy.
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Walk to End Alzheimer's
Fundraiser and Walk

Thanks to the efforts of our members and especially our Community Service Chair, Nathan Hansen, the Gloucester Rotary raised over $1000 for the Middle Peninsula Walk to End Alzheimer's. The Walk was held on Saturday, October 7th, and several of our Rotary members participated to raise awareness and support the community!
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Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

The Gloucester Rotary volunteered at the Gloucester Library on August 5th, to sign-up children under 5 for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Participants receive a free book each month, and the Rotary was proud to sign-up 30 kids for the program.

Rotary Funds Three AEDs for Local Parks

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The Gloucester and Mathews Rotary Clubs recently partnered together to fund three AED placements. One went to the Law Enforcement Truck at Machicomoco State Park, and the two others were placed in Gloucester County Parks. The Automated External Defibrillators are portable and aid those experiencing a cardiac arrest.

(Pictured: Gloucester President –Elect/Treasurer Nancy Dykeman, Chief Ranger Josh Mazzatenta, Mathews President-Elect Bill Sterns, and coordinator, Gloucester Club member Steve Humphrey presenting an AED for Machicomoco State Park.)
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(Picutred: Katey Legg, Parks and Recreation, Director; Nancy Dykeman, President-Elect/Treasurer; Steve Humphrey, Club member;
Henry Moncure, President; Gregg Tonge, Parks and Rec. Facilitator of Maintenance of the county parks.