Rotary Club of Vineland Newsletter April 21st, 2025 (Apr. 15, 2025)

Highlights from our April 15th meeting:

President Jay Einstein welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Notes Taken By: Alicia Fichera

Pledge: Josie Spinelli

4-Way Test: Teeghen Einstein

Prayer: Pastor Heather Sugden

Guests: Fernando Torres, ONTARGET Media Group

Announcements:

Jay reminded everyone of the Tri-County Rotary "Passport Around the World" event taking place on 4/27 at the Savoy to help raise funds for their student scholarship program. Tickets are $40 each, and the event will feature food stations showcasing cuisine from around the globe.

Joe reminded all of the Golf Outing on 5/21. Joe also passed out new brochures for golf outing and Sponsorship forms!

For Registration, Sponsorship Opportunities, and More Information visit:

https://www.vinelandrotary.org/sitepage/2025-golf-outing

*An email with all the details was sent on 4/15!

*If you'd like to donate a basket, please reach out to Alicia or Cara. Your contributions are greatly needed and truly appreciated!

Sherry Soutiere- Blue cans are for Blessing Bags in May for Mother’s Day! Stuffing of the blessing bags will be on May 6^th lunch meeting!

Scholarship Dinner will be held on Wednesday May 14^th at Savoy 6pm. No Lunch Meeting on May 13^th. Please try to attend Scholarship Dinner!

Jay also reminded everyone of the district conference that will take place on May 2nd in Cherry Hill. The district encourages as many Rotarians as possible to attend.

Josie announced proposed new board and members voted!

Rotary Board 2025-2026

(14 Member Board)

Jay Einstein, Immediate Past President

Josephine Orlando Spinelli, President

Joseph O’Rourke, President Elect

Sherri Prescott, Vice President of Fundraising

David Schad, Charities Treasurer

Bonnie Laube, Club Treasurer

Melody Montgomery, Club Secretary

Sherry Soutiere, Community Service Chair

Karen Bauman, Club Administration Chair

Nick Surace, Membership Chair

Dennis Palmer, Foundation Chair

Maria LeBlanc, Youth Services Chair

Susanna Philippousis, International Chair

Preston Centuolo, Community Awareness Chair

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Program:

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We watched the following video: The Women of Vineland and the Vote of 1868

The history of Vineland is a tale of progression. Fifty-two years before the passing of the 19th amendment, 172 women from Vineland, including four African-Americans, symbolically cast their ballots for the 1868 presidential election. Led by Portia Gage, the women bravely set up their blueberry crate ballot box in the corner of a backroom within Plum Street Hall, and voted for the next president of the United States, ushering in a new era for women’s rights. The unseasonably warm November day of 1868 was a portend for a brighter, yet still unsettled time for women in the United States.

In honor of these trailblazing women, the Vineland Historical Society and Vineland Chamber of Commerce hosted a voting reenactment and celebration reception October 27th & 28th, 2024.

For more information please visit: Women of Vineland

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Josie Spinelli recognized not just one, but two outstanding individuals as our Rotarians of the Week!

A huge thank you goes out to Joe O'Rourke and Jay Einstein for their unwavering dedication, hard work, and the positive energy they bring to our club. Whether it's lending a helping hand, leading by example, or going the extra mile behind the scenes, their contributions do not go unnoticed.

Congratulations to "Big Joe and Daddio"!!

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A message from Maria LeBlanc:

The Vineland Rotary Club is asking for the Outstanding Student recommendations from your organization/high school. Please send your student recommendation by Wednesday, April 30 in a reply email along with their contact information.

We will be recognizing the students at our Tuesday, June 3 luncheon at Larry's II in Vineland at 11:45 a.m. You are invited to attend along with the students and their families.

Email Maria @ mleblanc@cumberlandfoundation.org

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