We need three volunteers for Saturday, November 15th, from 9-11 am. Please sign up here:
Welcome to our Club!
We share the news of Rotarian Tom Sevigny's passing with deep sadness. He will be missed. Here is the link to his obituary.
Visiting Hours at Costello Funeral Home, 177 Washington Street, Winchester, are on Wednesday, 10/29, from 4-7 pm and on Thursday, 10/30, at 10:00 am. There will be a Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Church, 10/30, at 11:00 am.
More than 70 volunteers—Rotarians, WHS Interact Club members, Lion’s Heart members, families, and Kids’ Corner staff, assembled 15 wooden beds on Saturday, September 27, at Kids’ Corner. The project, organized in partnership with the Lynn-based Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, will provide safe beds for local children who have experienced homelessness.
“As Rotarians, our motto is Service Above Self,” said Club President Rebecca Brennan-Laird. “Our club is doing what we can to make our community—and our world—a better place, whenever and wherever we can.”
One longtime Rotarian said it was especially gratifying to work shoulder-to-shoulder with young people on a hands-on project with immediate impact.
Rotary Club Hosts “Rise Against Hunger” Event: 10,000+ Meals Packed for People in Need
October 9th, more than 70 volunteers from the Rotary Club and community came together for a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event — the results were inspiring. In just a few hours, the team prepared over 10,000 nutritious meals for communities facing worldwide food insecurity.
The event reflected Rotary’s “Service Above Self spirit, bringing together members, families, and friends to make a tangible difference for those in need. Rotary is proud to support international humanitarian efforts like Rise Against Hunger and local projects that uplift our communities.
Together, we continue to show that when caring people unite, even small actions can have a global impact.
Rotary has been a long-time supporter of Winchester Meals on Wheels, and our very own Paula Michienzi is the current President.
Our club has volunteered to drive for Meals on Wheels for one day each month—the third Monday of the month. We need two volunteers from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. to cover the two routes. You simply pick up the food at Winchester Hospital and deliver it to the addresses shared with you. It's a wonderful way to help our seniors and meet some interesting people.
What you need to do:
1. Register as a Driver - Application HERE
2. CORI form completed - this is a criminal background check. Form HERE
Both are very easy to complete, and please send completed forms to: winchestermow@gmail.com
It would be wonderful to have a few new volunteers who can give time to support this service project in the coming year. More information is located HERE.
Witnessing the full-circle journey of Jhamtse alumni, like Namgey Chodron, who has returned to the Community as a Tibetan teacher, inspiring the next generation with her knowledge and her compassion.
Our club sponsored Namgey!
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Berta Swanson at 100 years old. Berta has been a Winchester Rotarian since 2004. She was a PHF+ and a cherished member of this club. She will be sorely missed. Berta’s commitment and enthusiasm for Rotary were boundless. She made significant contributions and served on many committees, such as her long tenure on the Scholarship Committee. Berta epitomized “Service Above Self.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her Family.
The family will hold a “Celebration of Life” in the future, and we as a club will also have a “Remembrance of Berta” at a later date.
The Rotary Club of Winchester is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, awarded to Winchester High School seniors who have demonstrated exceptional service and academic achievement. Rotary has a long tradition of supporting local students as they take the next step in their educational journeys.
This year’s scholarship winners left to right are: Giorgio Cantoni (University of Vermont), Shawn Caldwell (University of Maine) Sophie McCloud (Auburn University), Aden Huang (John Hopkins University), Sina Hendriks (Boston University), and Maria Maio (Boston University, pictured with Rotarian Steve Mix).
Congratulations to all the recipients—we look forward to seeing the great things you will accomplish!
The Rotary Club of Winchester proudly celebrates the incredible accomplishments of the Winchester High School Interact Club this year. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the outgoing officers—Lila Beauchamp, Grace Farina, Krystal Nguyen, and Regina Perez—and to their dedicated advisor, Mrs. Tracy Troiano, along with Rotarian club advisor Paula Michienzi, for their leadership and commitment to service.
Interact is open to all high school students who are passionate about making a difference through volunteerism and community engagement. We look forward to another great year ahead!
Congratulations to our new Paul Harris award winners! Thank you to Lou Gentile, Grant Leung, and Linda Douchette for many years of service to the Winchester Rotary Club and Service Above Self.
The Rotary year has come to an end, and we recently passed the gavel from outgoing co-President Kurt Heisler to incoming President Rebecca Brennan-Laird. Here's to a successful 2025-2026 year!
We cannot thank everyone on the golf committee and the fearless leader, Grant, for another successful golf tournament!
Here are a few pictures from the day: https://winchesterrotary.org/photoalbums/2025-photos/
We had a record number of golfers and a beautiful day of sunshine. Excellent support from sponsors! The silent and live auction was a huge success, so thanks to everyone who organized and donated!
Thanks again!!
Rotary sponsors museum passes as an excellent service to the community. It's one of the first things the libraries mention to new library users and is featured on the first page of our welcome brochure. They are so grateful for the Rotary's support!
Our museum pass program enables library patrons to visit eighteen local museums, parks, and attractions at a discounted rate. These passes are an especially popular offering over school vacations and summer break. In 2024, WPL patrons made 1,659 museum pass reservations, and nearly 700 of those were for the five institutions supported by the Rotary: The Peabody Essex Museum, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Trustees GO Pass, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and Zoo New England. Most of these passes are delivered via email, making it easier than ever to access these wonderful resources!
Thanks to all who assisted with the Interact Club in serving dinner at Dwelling Place.
Check out a few pictures here: https://winchesterrotary.org/photoalbums/dwelling-place-2025/
Check out photos from our lunch celebration:
This past week, we welcomed our Global Scholar, Carina Stone, to share about her current studies and programs at Harvard Kennedy School.
Following our lunch meeting, these volunteers gathered for a meaningful service project: packing Thanksgiving baskets for the Council for Social Concern. The Club donated over $1500 to fill the baskets, and thank you, Rich Mucci, for shopping!
With the holiday season upon us, it was heartwarming to see the dedication and teamwork of our members as we assembled baskets filled with essential holiday items. These baskets will be distributed to local families in need, ensuring they can enjoy a festive and comforting Thanksgiving meal.
Wishing everyone a joyful and generous holiday season!
Service Above Self
Winchester, MA 01890
United States