Rotary Club of Middletown
Middletown, RI
District 7950 - Club 6693
Chartered May 5, 1953
COMMUNITY COAT DRIVE - THE COAT DRIVE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 5TH
Thanks to the generosity of the community, as of 11/30 over 425 warm coats have been collected and numerous winter accessories.

Our local partners, the Martin Luther King Center and the Island Oasis Food Pantry at Middletown High have indicated to us a growing need for new and gently used clean warm coats, jackets, hats, and gloves in sizes from infants to adult. Join us for our winter coat drive to provide essential warmth to those facing the cold season. Our goal is to ensure that no one in our community has to endure winter without warmth and protection.

Your participation can make a significant difference, one warm coat at a time. Please consider going through your belongings to identify items you no longer need.

If you can't contribute items, please consider making a small donation to help us purchase items for those in need at: https://tinyurl.com/AWarmCoat

Dropoff Locations 
Newport County YMCA - 792 Valley Rd. Middletown
Bank Newport - Washington Square - 10 Washington Sq. Newport
Wickford Appliance - 1180 West Main Rd. Middletown

 

Supported by the Middletown/Newport INTERACT Club

Welcome to our Club!
Middletown

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM
Wyndham Newport
240 Aquidneck Ave
Middletown, RI 02842
United States of America
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Upcoming Events
Our Local Activities
The Middletown Rotary works to respond to various local needs. Here is a sample of some of Middletown Rotary Club’s recent local charitable activities:
 
  • Maui Fires Relief Fund Support: Providing immediate assistance and long-term recovery support to the people of Maui.

  • Annual Holiday Party at Lucy’s Hearth: Bringing joy to children and adults in need during the holiday season.

  • Community Clean-ups: Enhancing our local spaces by keeping them clean and inviting.

  • Daffodil Planting: Beautifying our community one flower at a time.

  • Food Drives for Martin Luther King Center: Helping feed those in need and supporting essential programs.

  • Senior Food Drive: Ensuring seniors in Middletown receive the care and sustenance they deserve.

  • Annual Spaghetti Dinner for Seniors: Creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our senior community.

  • Local Literacy Projects: Fostering education and literacy within our community.

  • Tree Purchases for Middletown Valley Park: Adding to the natural beauty of our local park.

Our International Activities

The Middletown Rotary Club supports various International charitable initiatives. 

  • Water for Cambodia Project: Founded by the Middletown Rotary Club in 2002, this initiative builds and installs household biosand water filters, wells, and latrines to safeguard rural communities against waterborne diseases.

  • Polio Eradication: Rotary International’s global efforts have achieved a remarkable 99.9% reduction in Polio cases worldwide, with only two countries still facing endemic cases.

  • The Rotary Foundation: Empowering Rotary members to enhance world understanding, promote goodwill, and work toward peace by improving health, providing quality educa

Recent Speakers

Hello, I'm Larry Kraman, a passionate individual with roots in Brooklyn, New York. My journey began at Brooklyn College, where I initially pursued law but discovered my true calling in music. As a recording engineer, I captured every note of the music department's performances and later established a recording studio within the department. My knowledge extended to starting the Newport Classic CD music label, releasing numerous classical pieces.

Anticipating changes in the music industry, I transitioned to filmmaking, producing three full-length films. My story reflects dedication to music, recording, and filmmaking, with a knack for building relationships in the evolving entertainment landscape. I'm always eager to share my enriching experiences and insights. Read more below to find links to his films and enjoy at your own pace.

Larry is eager to leverage his talents and experience to contribute to the club. He's proposing an engaging video project that involves creating short film interviews with each current member. Larry suggests conducting these interviews at my home studio, assuring everyone that it won't be an interrogation. Importantly, no interview will be presented until the subject has had a chance to review it.

The interview process is designed to start with a casual discussion about the member's name, background, and the reasons behind their involvement in the Middletown Rotary Club. Larry will then guide the conversation based on the member's responses.

For any inquiries or clarifications regarding these proposed projects, feel free to reach out to Larry directly.

Shawn Brown, the Middletown Town Administrator, gave a talk to the Middletown Rotary Club on October 11, 2023 regarding the 2023 Middletown Middle-High School Bond Referendum. The presentation highlighted the importance of the upcoming bond referendum for constructing new, modern, and efficient educational facilities, benefiting all students and ensuring the future readiness of Middletown schools.  Read more for the key points from his presentation:

"Dr. Dennis Sheehan, retired professor of Economics at the Smeal College of Business gave an energizing talk on the advancements in generative AI, describing its ability to generate text and images much more cheaply than humans. Dr. Sheehan went on to describe the possible impact of AI on the economy, focusing on whether AIs will take over most jobs and create more economic inequality. He discussed some reasons for optimism, followed by a lively question and answer period with attendees.  A particular topic of interest to Rotarians was, "will AI increase or decrease the economic gaps between the developed world and the developing world."  
Steve Fine, the President of the Melanoma Education Foundation, delivered an eye-opening presentation in September. He discussed the importance of melanoma awareness, early detection, and prevention. He helped us understand both the risks and the ways to protect ourselves from it including valuable information on how to recognize the signs of melanoma, the role of regular skin checks, and the significance of sunscreen and protective measures.  For both those members that attended and for those that missed this valuable presentation, Steve has sent us follow-up links.  I encourage you to view these and to share them with others. 

    Erin O'Gara Dollard, Senior Philanthropy Officer at the Newport Hospital Foundation, recently addressed our club to shed light on an important partnership between Newport Hospital and Bradley Hospital. The aim of this partnership is to raise $5 million for the development of an eight-bed adolescent behavioral health unit at Newport Hospital. This unit will provide essential services for young individuals aged 12 to 18 suffering from acute mental health disorders.

    Rotary News
    Help Rotary Strike Out Polio

    2024-25 Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick invites 25 PolioPlus supporters to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to Help Rotary Strike Out Polio at the $1 Million Baseball Game.

    An audacious request transforms South African schools

    With the largest Rotary global grant ever awarded in South Africa, Rotarians refurbish 11 schools’ toilets and kitchen facilities.

    Rotary clubs in Brazil stand ‘Together Against Polio’

    Rotary members in Brazil launch an informational campaign to promote polio vaccination

    Rotary projects around the globe November 2023

    Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Jamaica, Portugal, Belgium, and Sri Lanka.

    Welcome to the Rotary Club of Middletown
    Are you someone who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
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