Caldwell Rotary and Kiwanis proudly celebrate their annual Thanksgiving Ecumenical Luncheon

Guest speakers (from L to R): Rev. Msgr. Kenneth Herbster,Rev. Stephanie Wethered, and Rabbi Alan Silverstein.

Nearly 100 people attended this year’s annual Rotary-Kiwanis sponsored Ecumenical Luncheon, held at Mayfair Farms on Tuesday, November 23. This gathering included members of the clergy from local houses of worship who are members of the West Essex Ministerial Association, representatives of community-based service organizations, as well as members from the local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

Co-chairs of this inspirational luncheon were Bob Markman of Caldwell Rotary, who also emceed the event, and Barbara Peck of Kiwanis of Caldwell / West Essex. Introductory speakers this year were Kiwanis President William Fried, Jr. and Sam Kent of the Rotary Club.

Attendees included guest speakers Rabbi Alan Silverstein, Congregation Agudeth Israel in Caldwell; Reverend Msgr. Kenneth Herbster, Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell; Reverend Stephanie Wethered, St. Peter’s Church in Essex Fells; and Reverend Msgr. Michael J. Desmond, of St. Aloysius Parish in Caldwell - who gave the invocation.

Also in attendance were Caldwell Mayor Susan Gartland; Dr. Nancy Blattner, President of Caldwell College; Stanford Brown of The Bridge; Mary Davidson of the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education; Roberta Schoenberg of Caldwell LIVE; and Kristopher Almquist of Crane’s Mill in West Caldwell.

This annual event is more than good food, good company, and fellowship. To support our local food bank, Caldwell Rotary made provisions for attendees to make both monetary and non-perishable food donations, and through Kiwanis, Pio Costa gave $300 in supermarket food cards, also to be donated to the Caldwell Food Pantry.

by Rotarian Bob Markman

Rotary Seeks High School Students for Overseas Study

HOLA! BONJOUR! KONNICHI WA! NÎ HÂO! Learn a new language – experience a different culture – make new friends – spend a year in a foreign land; there are many benefits of studying abroad.

If you will be a high school student in 2011-12, you can broaden your world view as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student in a foreign country. Many for-profit exchange programs cost tens of thousands of dollars for such exchanges. Rotary has been providing this enriching experience since the 1920’s for a minimal cost to students and their families.

Rotary Club volunteers administer the program at the local level, which helps keep costs low for students and their families. These volunteers often offer years of experience with students and host families, ensuring a safe, nurturing and enriching environment.

While students are overseas, they are treated like a member of the family…their schooling, their room and board and their food are covered by the host family.

Rotary District 7470, comprised of Essex, Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties, has had student exchanges with Spain, Germany, France, Japan, India, Brazil, Argentina and many other countries.

There are two programs for high school students: an academic year exchange, and a short-term exchange of 3 to 4 weeks during the summer. Applications from interested students will be accepted until December 31, 2010. Interviews will be conducted during January and February of 2011 with final selections made by the end of February.

Is your child interested in becoming a foreign exchange student? Would you enjoy the experience of hosting a student from another country? For more information, visit www.youthexchangenj.org or contact Avi Tilak at 973-989-4037 or avitilak9@gmail.com

To learn more about Rotary in your community, visit www.rotarydistrict7470.org

Larry Ripley

Rotary District 7470

Please join Rotary at our Ecumenical Luncheon

The Rotary Club of the Caldwells and the Kiwanis Club of Caldwell / West Essex are having their annual “Pre-Thanksgiving” Ecumenical Luncheon on Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 12:00 Noon at Mayfair Farms, 481 Eagle Rock Ave., West Orange, NJ.

Invitees include members of the West Essex Ministerial Association, the Mayors of our local towns, representatives of community-based service groups, in addition to the members of our local Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

This event is also open to the leaders and representatives of other service-oriented groups, and to any community-minded individuals who are interested in learning more about the many service programs and activities that both Rotary and Kiwanis have been involved with in helping others – locally and abroad.

Arrangements have been made with Caldwell’s Food Pantry to accept donations (monetary and non-perishable food items) to help needy families in the community.

The cost for this luncheon is $18 and includes a buffet-style luncheon (vegetarian and dietary-restricted meals are available). To register for this event, please contact Bob Markman either at 973-226-4357 or at RHMarkman@aol.com. R.S.V.P. by Monday, November 22, 2010.

Any questions? Contact Bob Markman, Caldwell Rotary Club Service Chair at

973-226-4357 or at RHMarkman@aol.com

Rotary supports the Caldwell Food Pantry. Donations needed to help local families.

Rotary Club of the Caldwells presents The Caldwell Food Pantry with a $1000.00 check to help local families in need. L to R: Tom Cocchiola, President Caldwell Rotary; Maria Burak, Caldwell Director of Human Services; Sam Kent, Caldwell Rotarian. Photo by Bob Markman

Please join The Rotary Club of The Caldwells in providing assistance to local families by supporting the Caldwell Food Pantry. “The need to help our neighbors has increased significantly in the past year,” explained Maria Burak, Caldwell’s Director of Human Services, in her recent presentation to the club. “Every week I get a call from someone whose home is going into foreclosure or who is having difficulty providing for their family. The Caldwell Food Pantry can help make ends meet through challenging times.”

Rotary President Tom Cocchiola presented Burak with a check for one thousand dollars that will be used to purchase supermarket gift cards for Caldwell and West Caldwell residents in need. Rotarians are also kicking off a food drive to support the pantry. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at The Caldwell Community Center. Checks should be made payable to “The Caldwell Welfare Fund” and mailed to 1 Provost Square, Caldwell, NJ 07006. All money donated will be used to purchase supermarket gift cards.

While all food and toiletries will be gladly accepted, special focus in the coming weeks will be on the preparation of at least 80 Thanksgiving gift baskets for delivery to local families. “Anything you’d prepare for your own Thanksgiving dinner could be included,” said Burak. “Our goal is to raise enough money to include a gift card with each basket.”

Rotary volunteers will help assemble the Thanksgiving baskets on Monday, November 22 and Tuesday, November 23 at The Caldwell Food Pantry and will deliver them to local families on Tuesday evening, November 23. If you would like to volunteer your time on either date, please contact Maria Burak at 973-403-4623.

The Caldwell Food Pantry, located at 14 Park Avenue in Caldwell, is available to any Caldwell or West Caldwell resident who needs food. For additional information, please call 973-403-4623.

The Rotary Club of the Caldwells is a community service organization whose members dedicate their time and talent to dozens of worthwhile causes both locally and internationally. To learn more about Rotary, please visit www.caldwellrotary.org or call Tom Cocchiola at 973-226-2344.

by Rotarian Christy Berg