SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, MAJOR EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

Scholarship Programs

Rotary-Garbe Foundation Scholarship

 

For 65 years the Rotary Garbe Foundation has awarded scholarships to assist local students with their continuing education. Mr. and Mrs. Garbe were longtime residents and community leaders in Scotch Plains.  Mr. Garbe was a member of the first Planning Board; a founder of the Scotch Plains Community Fund; a founding member of the Fanwood Scotch Plains Rotary Club; and a Past District Governor of Rotary. But most of all, the Garbes were huge supporters of young people in our community.  More than 300 students in our community have received financial assistance from the Rotary Garbe Foundation. This year’s three scholarships are for a total of $10,000 each – paying out $2,500 a year for four years.

Rotary 'Turnaround Award'

This award of $1,000 was started by Rotarian, Dr. Richard Dobyns.   It is given to the student who made the most progress or “turn around” in their academic studies from Junior year to Senior year.  The selection is by the High School Principal and Guidance Department.  

Ethel Perkins & Robert Mullins Memorial Scholarships

 

Ethel Perkins was born in Philadelphia Pa.  She moved to Donsen Lane in Scotch Plains in the late sixties and lived there until she passed away in 2007. Having no children, living frugally and investing wisely, she amassed an estate of over 2 million dollars.

 

She left a portion of her estate to the Rotary Garbe Foundation to establish scholarships in her name and in her brother’s name (Robert Mullins).  Because she and her brother shared a fondness for animals, the scholarships are awarded to students studying animal sciences.

 

These two scholarships are for a total of $8,000 each – paying out $2,000 a year for four years.

 

David E. Ringle Memorial Scholarship

The David Ringle Scholarship Fund was initiated by the Rotary Club several years ago in memory of our friend and fellow Rotarian Dave Ringle. Dave was a local businessman who dedicated much of his life to Rotary Club causes, not only locally, but around the World. Dave lived his life by the Rotary motto - “Service above Self” and was an inspiration to all who knew him.  

 

An award of $500 is awarded to the SPFHS Salutatorian

and $750 will be awarded to the SPFHS Valedictorian.

Robert H. Kraus Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship honors the memory of Bob Kraus, a long time Rotarian and respected member of the community. The Robert H. Kraus Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School graduating senior who will be attending Rutgers University, has been involved in extra-curricular activities or volunteerism and has maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.0. 

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Community Projects and Fundraising Events

Frazee House Resoration Project

A long term project to restore the historic Betty and Gershom Frazee House at the intersection of Raritan Road and Terrill Road (area residents may recall the site as the home of the one-time Terry Lou Zoo). This is the club’s Centennial project, inspired by a directive of Rotary International in 2004. By restoring the house (detailed plans currently under deliberation), the club hopes to turn the house and adjacent one acre into a resource for the community and state, further distinguishing New Jersey as a key site in the American Revolutionary War. Progress to date includes the shoring and stabilization of the house.  The Scotch Plains Community Garden was started on the property in 2016.  See the Frazee House Website for more information.

 

Luminary Project

Luminaries have long been a popular holiday tradition in Fanwood and Scotch Plains. The club sells kits of candles and bags, making the display of luminaries convenient for thousands of townspeople by enabling them to purchase them at the Fanwood Public Works garage in December each year.  Funds generated are a major source of the club’s ability to support community activities such as those described above.

 

Trivia Night

In April 2021, we held our first ONLINE Trivia Night and it was very successful and allowed people from other towns and states to participate.   We plan to continue to hold these online in the future.   

 

 

Pancake Breakfast

In 2018, we successfully took over the annual Pancake breakfast from the Lion’s Club.  Currently all proceeds benefit FSP Rotary initiatives, including the restoration of the Frazee House.

 

 

 

Dictionary Project

Free dictionaries to all of the 3rd grade students in Fanwood-Scotch Plains, including St. Bartholomew’s elementary school. The distribution of the dictionaries each November is keenly anticipated and provides a morning of excitement for more than 400 children every year as club members visit classrooms with cartons of dictionaries to bestow.

 The Robert H. Kraus Memorial Golf Outing

The proceeds of the Robert H. Kraus Memorial golf outing fund the Robert H. Kraus Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Bob Kraus, a long time Rotarian and respected member of the community. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club began the scholarship in 2010, with the first scholarship awarded in June 2011. The first annual golf outing was held in October 2011. 

 

The Robert H. Kraus Memorial Golf Outing

The proceeds of the Robert H. Kraus Memorial golf outing fund the Robert H. Kraus Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was created to honor the memory of Bob Kraus, a long time Rotarian and respected member of the community. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary Club began the scholarship in 2010, with the first scholarship awarded in June 2011. The first annual golf outing was held in October 2011. 

Service Projects

 

Club members volunteer for various service projects including:

 

  • Mobile Meals of Westfield and El Centro

    We volunteer for Mobile Meals on the last Wednesday of every month, usually instead of going to the weekly meeting. Several members pack food for the elderly and other members deliver the food to people on various routes within Scotch Plains, Westfield and Clark. Those Rotarians who complete shorter routes can chose to also attend lunch if their schedules allow. Rotarians who are not able to volunteer can attend a small lunch meeting at the usual location. Several Rotarians also volunteer to pack food for El Centro once a month.

  • Operation Chillout
    In November, club members contribute toward the purchase of backpacks with gloves, scarves and hats to be given to Operation Chillout, an organization that supports homeless Veterans.

International Projects Sponsored by the FSP Rotary

Angel House International

Angel House supports Set Her Free, a non-profit group working to remove young girls in Uganda from child labor and prostitution by providing them with shelter and education. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains Rotary launched the project in late 2010, and before year-end 2011 had already raised $15,000 for food, shelter and medical expenses. Much of the funds were initially raised through the sale of bead bracelets, necklaces and earrings made by the Ugandan girls. In Uganda, bead making is an art form. The beads are created out of recycled paper like newspapers and calendars and then cut into thin strips with a paper cutter and dyed. Once dyed, they spin the paper on looms to make different shapes and sizes. We now hold various events throughout the year to raise funds for a new campus. Funds have already been raised to purchased approximately 10 acres of land.  See angelhouseinternational.org for more information.

Nicaragua Project

The Nicaragua Project was initiated by FSP Rotary together with other New Jerseyans - they initiated a Rotary Foundation Global Grant project in Granada, Nicaragua that included building a soccer/volleyball court, a kitchen, outdoor classrooms and teaching gardens at two large public schools.  In 2021, a new project was created to build latrines.   Rotarians will have another opportunity to travel to Nicaragua next year, to continue the next phase of the project. 

Hambassadors 

Our goal is to give some economic freedom to abused women in Nicaragua, to allow them to live a life independent of their abusuers. With the donation of a pregnant sow, the pig and its offspring provide a source of revenue for an entire family. 

Casa Esperanza 

After devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, domestic violence cases in Puerto Rico quadrupled. Funds are used to restore a donated home & provide services to impacted families with urgent needs. 

International Projects Sponsored by Rotary International

Polio Plus Program

Rotary International has targeted a goal to eliminate polio worldwide. All local clubs support this.

 

 

MEETINGS

We meet in person at 12:15pm on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of every month, at the Stage House Restaurant in Scotch Plains. 

 

4th Wednesday of the month: 6:30PM Evening Meeting at Darby Road 

CONTACT & SOCIAL


MAJOR PROJECTS & EVENTS