banner
May 11th, 2026 Newsletter

__________________________________________________
 
Highlights from our May 5th meeting:
 
Josie Spinelli, Club President, welcomed everyone and conducted the meeting.
 
Notes Taken By: Alicia Fichera
PledgeBonnie Laube
4-Way Test: Karen Bauman
Prayer: Pastor Heather Sugden
Guests: 
  • Eric Cooper, Guest Speaker
Together, Rotarians sang "God Bless America".
 
Announcements:
 
*** Special thank you to Josie for the beautiful flowers and lotion given to all of the women for Mother's Day! ***
 
Josie announced that the book club is off to a great start. The next meeting is 6/2 at Hopes house. 

Dawn Hunter reminded everyone of the Chamber Presidents Party on May 20th. Dennis Palmer is the recipient of the
Dawnie Award. 
 
Josie reminded everyone of the Flags & Flowers event on 6/14! Thank you, Preston Foster for volunteering to set up our table at this event! We are also looking for more volunteers. For our donation, the club will plant Cherry Blossum trees around Vineland. 
 
Sherri reminded everyone about the Wine & Dine Fundraiser on June 11th! There are still sponsorships and tables available. 
 
Josie reminded everyone to please pay your quarterly bills!
 
Josie let everyone know that the Challenger League has started up. Visit our website for more information. 
 
Sherry Soutiere asked for volunteers at the Millville Soup Kitchen this Saturday, 5/9.
 
Josie was excited to announce that on May 18th at 8AM the Rotary Club will be highlighted on the Larry Leonelli Radio Show. 
 
Josie reminded everyone of the Changeover Dinner that will take place on Thursday, June 25th at Villa Fazzolari Ristorante. Please plan to join us this evening. More details to come.
 
Preston Foster announced 5/14 between 3-5PM will be a Rotary Roadside Clean-up at the Industrial Park by Garden Road. This will be a fundraiser. We need 10 volunteers in order for the city to provide the $250.00. Fellowship to follow. 
 
Cara Weber announced that Carol Musso sent a thank you so much to everyone for the beautiful card it made her day, she misses everyone and hopes to see you all soon. 
 
Sherry announced we will be participating in a food drive for the Veterans Association - we are collecting nonperishables and low sodium items to be collected all month and dropped off at the end of the month. 
 
Rotarians sang Happy Birthday to Linda Foster via video to be sent to her!
 
$$$ Happy Dollars were collected! $$$ 
A total of $147 came from Happy Dollars, along with $72 from the blue cans, bringing the overall total to $219.00 in support of the computer fundraising effort.
 
__________________________________________________
 
Proposed Slate of 2026-2027 Board of Directors
 
Immediate Past President - Josephine Orlando-Spinelli
President - Joseph O’Rourke
President Elect, Programs Chair – Sherri Prescott
Vice President, Fundraising Chair – Dominick “Nick” Surace III
Charities Treasurer - David Schad
Club Treasurer - Bonnie Laube
Club Secretary - Melody Montgomery
Community Service Chair - Sherry Soutiere
Club Administration Chair - Karen Bauman
Membership Chair - Preston Foster
Foundation Chair - Dennis Palmer
Youth Services Chair - Marie LeBlanc
International Chair - Susanna Philippoussis
Community Awareness Chair - Preston Centuolo
__________________________________________________
 
Joe O'Rourke introduced today's guest speaker:
 
Program:
 
 
CLICK HERE to learn more 
 
__________________________________________________
 
 
The Traveling Arm
 
Each year, The Helping Hand finds a new home—but this year, it seems to have a mind of its own. Spotted at meetings, events, and possibly lurking just around the corner, this wandering limb has been making unexpected appearances in the care of its latest recipient, Preston Foster!
 
Where will it turn up next?
A committee meeting? A community project? Your front porch? Keep your eyes open… you never know when the Traveling Arm might reach out.
 
__________________________________________________
 
__________________________________________________
 
__________________________________________________
 
Sending Sunshine, Love and Support: 
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
 
Please keep Linda Foster in your thoughts and prayers.
She will be unable to attend Rotary meetings for the next few months.
Gus hopes to attend meetings in the meantime.
We look forward to welcoming her back when she is able.
 
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ 
 
Please keep Carol Musso in your thoughts and prayers.
Carol was recently diagnosed with cancer and while the journey hasn't been easy,
she remains in good spirits. 
If you would like to send a card or a note of encouragement, they may be mailed to: 
Carol Musso 721 Morton Avenue, Bridgeton, NJ 08302.
Your prayers, kindness and support are deeply appreciated and mean more than
words can express to Carol and her loved ones.
 
♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
 
Please keep Caitlin Terri’s family in your thoughts and prayers.
Her brother-in-law (Peter) is recovering from a serious injury and recent surgery.
Cards and notes of encouragement may be sent to: 
Peter Pelosi 5114 Landis Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360.
Your kindness and support mean so much during this difficult time.
 
__________________________________________________
 
Stay Connected:

Our club is always evolving—and now our website reflects it. 💙

From service opportunities to upcoming events and club news, everything is now right at your fingertips. Take a moment to check it out and stay connected:
👉 VinelandRotary.org

Service Above Self starts with staying informed.

 
__________________________________________________
 
Recent Events:
 
Rotary Scholarship Dinner: 5/6/2026
 
 

Celebrating the future, one student at a time 🎓✨

The Rotary Club of Vineland was proud to award $18,500 in scholarships to outstanding local students at this year’s Scholarship Dinner. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and community support, we continue our commitment to investing in education, leadership, and the future of our community.

Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients—we cannot wait to see all that you accomplish! 💙💛

__________________________________________________
 
Save The Date:
 

Challenger League Registration and information: CLICK HERE

__________________________________________________ 

Roadside Clean-up: 5/14/2026

We need 10 volunteers in order for the city to provide the $250.00. Fellowship to follow. 
We will meet at Bertoia Auctions at 2141 Demarco Drive.

__________________________________________________ 

Our next PB&J: 6/5/2026

__________________________________________________ 

Let's Wine & Dine: 6/11/2026

__________________________________________________ 

Flags. Flowers. Freedom. 6/14/2026

__________________________________________________ 

Passing The Gavel: 6/25/2026

__________________________________________________ 

Reminder: the Hydromissions Store is open! 🎉

 
Now you can show your support for water projects with every shirt, hoodie, or mug you buy. All items are printed on demand, so there’s no inventory, no waste — just impact.
Your purchase helps Hydromissions provide water wells, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education to communities in need across the globe. 🌍💙

__________________________________________________ 

Membership Announcements:

Get to know our Newest Members:

~ Welcome Erik Young!

Erik Young and Mari Collazo from Bay Atlantic Federal Credit Union are sponsored for Business Membership by Rotarian Gail Marino. Erik will be the Rotarian and Mari will be the Business Alternate. Erik was inducted on 3/10/26 by Ed Morvay.

_________________________________________________

~ Welcome Michael DiSalvo!

Michael DiSalvo was sponsored by Rotarian Joe O'Rourke. Mike is a retired UPS driver and was inducted on 3/10/26 by Ed Morvay.

_________________________________________________

~ Welcome Donata Dalesandro!

Donata is a Representative of VDID/Main Street Organization. She was inducted on 2/3/26 by Ed Morvay. Sponsor- Dawn Hunter.

 

_________________________________________________

Proposed New Members:

Dr. Dana Palma is proposed by Rotarian Jim Siwek. Dana is a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones.

Additional Notes:

Any concerns or objections to new memberships should be directed to President Josie Spinelli, josiecatlover@verizon.net 

_________________________________________________

 

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

_________________________________________________

 

Contact Bonnie at: bll@GreenblattLaube.com or 856-691-0424

 

The club now accepts Zelle as a form of payment!
Search: bll@GreenblattLaube.com  

Here are the step-by-step instructions:

    1    Log in to your bank's mobile app or online banking: to access Zelle. 

    2    Navigate to the Zelle section: by looking for options like "Send Money with Zelle" or "Pay & Transfer". 

    3    Select a recipient: from your contacts or by entering the recipient's email address. 

    4    Enter the amount: you wish to send and add an optional note if desired. 

    5    Review: the transaction details to ensure they are correct. 

    6    Tap "Send": to complete the payment

 

If your bank isn't a partner, you can still use Zelle by downloading the standalone Zelle app, but you'll need a U.S.-based bank account, a U.S. mobile number, an email address, and a valid U.S.-based debit card. 

__________________________________________________

 

Upcoming Events
Membership Meeting
May 14, 2026 7:30 AM
Board Meeting
May 19, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Spirit and Truth Lunch Project
Jun 05, 2026 8:45 AM
Membership Meeting
Jun 11, 2026 7:30 AM
Charitable Wine and Dine Fundraiser
Jun 11, 2026
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Flags and Flowers Honoring 250 years of America!
Jun 14, 2026
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Board Meeting
Jun 16, 2026
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Changeover Dinner
Jun 25, 2026
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Spirit and Truth Lunch Project
Jul 03, 2026 8:45 AM
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Charles Parrish
May 1
 
Michael Loyle
May 2
 
Brian Rehm
May 4
 
Linda Foster
May 9
 
Joe O'Rourke
May 20
 
Leslie Jones
May 20
 
Dennis Palmer
May 27
 
Dave Hanrahan
May 29
 
Carol Sumoski
June 12
 
Susanna Philippoussis
June 16
 
Preston Foster
June 17
 
Scott Fransko
June 17
 
Join Date
Nancy Spinelli
May 16, 2023
3 years
 
Preston Centuolo
May 17, 2019
7 years
 
Donna Bennett
May 18, 2011
15 years
 
Karen Bauman
May 25, 2004
22 years
 
Ken Dondero
May 25, 2001
25 years
 
Joseph Cortez
June 1, 2023
3 years
 
Kevin Bernhardt
June 1, 1984
42 years
 
Steven Schiavo
June 1, 1996
30 years
 
Jim Siwek
June 16, 2015
11 years
 
Ronald McMahon
June 20, 1986
40 years
 
Leslie Jones
June 21, 2021
5 years
 
Melody Montgomery
June 28, 2011
15 years