Weekly Speakers

Annual Golf Outing

Medical Mission in Guatemala

2024 Club Photo in Rotary Park

Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club!

We meet every Tuesday from noon - 1:15 at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow, Rochester, MI 48307

You can join us via Zoom https://zoom.us/j/8 3148224700

Rochester Rotary Awards

At the Rotary District 6380 Annual Conference in early June, the Rochester Rotary Club was honored with the Living the Action Plan Award, recognizing its exceptional commitment to Rotary International’s strategic priorities. Founded in 1905 as the world’s first service club, Rotary International guides its global network through an Action Plan centered on seven key areas: Peacebuilding and conflict prevention, Disease prevention and treatment, Water, sanitation, and hygiene, Maternal and child health, education and literacy, Community economic development, and Support of the environment.

Clubs around the world are encouraged to design and implement service projects that make a measurable impact in these critical areas, and Rochester Rotary’s efforts stood out among its peers for their dedication and effectiveness.

“We were surprised and honored to receive this award,” said Rochester Rotary Club President Christine Hage. The Rochester Rotary Club, composed of 85 members, was recognized for its impactful service in several of Rotary International’s areas of focus, including disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, basic literacy, and environmental Support.

Club members contributed both time and financial resources to these efforts. In some cases, members participated directly in hands-on projects; in others, the Club provided funding to support initiatives led by partner organizations. One recent example is the Club’s recent donation of more than $5,000 to the Clinton River Watershed Council to purchase water testing supplies, enabling Rochester-area students to help monitor the health of the Clinton River. Each year, the Club raises and distributes nearly $100,000 in Support of local and international service projects.

Several Rochester Rotary members were also recognized for individual contributions. Dr. Jay and Linda Eastman received the Terry Youlton Award for International Humanitarian Service in honor of their work at Casa Colibri, a medical center they established in Guatemala. “Our mission is to help the Mayan people of northwest Guatemala improve the quality of their lives through programs in health, education, and related infrastructure,” said Linda Eastman. The clinic provides medical, dental, and vision care, as well as midwifery and literacy training in remote rural areas.

Club President Christine Hage was also honored with the Virginia Nordby Women in Rotary Award, recognizing her leadership and advocacy. Earlier this year, she led an Open World library development delegation from Kazakhstan. The one-week visit, funded by the U.S. Congressional Office for International Leadership, brought six librarians to the United States to explore public library development. Hage organized visits to 13 public libraries across southeast Michigan to showcase how American libraries serve their communities.

District Governor Sharna Hatcher attended a recent Club meeting to celebrate the awards alongside Rochester Rotary members.

Savoring Beer, Wine and Delish Food While Raising almost $40,000

Each spring, Bordine’s Nursery in Rochester transforms into a magical venue for one of the community’s most anticipated evenings of the year—the Rochester Rotary Club’s Annual Wine and Beer Tasting fundraiser. This year’s event once again delighted guests with a vibrant selection of fine wines, craft beers, gourmet bites from local restaurants, and an impressive array of silent auction items. Surrounded by Bordine’s lush floral displays and the sounds of live music, attendees enjoyed an unforgettable celebration of community, charity, and springtime splendor.

A highlight of the evening was the “People’s Choice Best Taste” contest, where guests voted for their favorite culinary creation. The 2025 winner: Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse, located at 301 W. Big Beaver Road in Troy. Known for its distinctive gaucho-style service and impressive salad and appetizer bar, Fogo de Chão brought bold flavors and culinary excellence to the event.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have participated in the Rochester Rotary Wine & Beer Tasting for the third consecutive year,” said Michelle Choice, Event Sales Manager at Fogo de Chão. “Part of our mission is to nourish our community with respect and generosity. This event gives us the opportunity to do just that—right here in Oakland County. Whether you’re already a Fogo fan or discovering us for the first time, it’s an honor to receive the 2025 Best Taste Award.”

Neighborhood House Accepts $10,000 Check

At the May 20 meeting, Rochester Rotaries Charities President Tom Townsend presented Neighborhood House with a check for $10,000 to support the Food Pantry and Sustainability Services.

Neighborhood House is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping neighbors in need achieve self-sufficiency during times of hardship. The organization serves individuals and families experiencing poverty or those classified as ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed).

While only about 5.5% of the population in the area lives in poverty, significantly below state and national averages, this still represents approximately 8,000 people. Life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, a medical crisis, or a car breakdown can push families into financial instability. NH’s mission is to empower clients toward long-term sustainability.

Poverty thresholds vary by household size. For example, the federal poverty line is $18,961 for a senior couple over the age of 65, and $31,812 for a family of four.

Neighborhood House Impact in 2024

Neighborhood House made a profound impact in 2024 through its comprehensive services:

The Food Pantry provided 436,068 meals to 601 households and served 6,183 unhoused individuals with emergency aid and meals. The pantry operates like a grocery market, offering monthly access to food. For efficiency and safety, NH uses a drive-up service where volunteers shop for clients. Home delivery is also available for special cases. On Thursdays, the Pantry distributes fresh food donated by local grocery stores and businesses.
Sustainability Services provided $105,664 in financial assistance, helped 25 clients secure jobs, and prevented 70 evictions.
The Clothes Closet distributed 28,276 clothing items to 365 households.
Community Events: Hosted events that served 1,052 families, benefitting 1,334 children.
Transportation Services: Offered 463 rides to medical appointments, job interviews, and food pickups. Additionally, nearly 60 bicycles were distributed to adults and children, enabling transportation and recreational opportunities.

Linda Eastman Honored with Prestigious Award

The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor has awarded Linda Eastman, of Rochester Hills, the Robert S. Northrup Humanitarian Award for her extraordinary commitment to global service. Established in 2018, the award recognizes individuals who have made long-term, sustainable contributions to humanitarian efforts at local, national, or international levels.

"Linda Eastman exemplifies the Rotary spirit of ‘Service Above Self,’” said Christine Hage, President of the Rochester Rotary Club. "Her passion, perseverance, and generosity have transformed countless lives. She is a remarkable example of what one person’s dedication can accomplish."

A Life Dedicated to Service

Eastman’s humanitarian journey began unexpectedly 44 years ago during a vacation to Mexico. Frustrated by language barriers, she returned home determined to bridge the communication gap. While raising four children as a non-traditional student at Oakland University, she pursued a degree in Latin American Studies and Spanish, graduating summa cum laude, an honor achieved by only two students that year. She later earned a Nonprofit Management Certificate, further preparing herself for leadership in humanitarian work.

Kazakhstani Public Library Development Delegation

The past two days have been long but incredibly engaging. The delegation spent the day at the Rochester Hills Public Library, starting with a tour and discussions with four RHPL trustees. After delivering a presentation at the Rochester Rotary Club, they returned to the library to learn about services for individuals with disabilities and the role of the Friends of the Library.

On Wednesday, the delegation spent the morning at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Rotarian Roger Roller, who also serves as a DIA docent, gave us a fantastic museum tour. District 6380 Governor Sharna Hatcher walked in! What a pleasant surprise.

After lunch, the delegation headed across the street to the Detroit Public Library, beginning with a tour of the Main Library. In a conference room, staff members gave insightful presentations on various aspects of their library services. Sergei, our translator, continues to impress with his remarkable skills—what a talent!

From left to right, we have Nurzhan Zholdybalinov, Deputy Head of ElectronicRresources at the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Next is Zhanar Kulzhayeva, the American Corners program coordinator at Kazakhstan's US Embassy and Consulate. Zhanar is fluent in English and is the delegation's facilitator. Ainur Shaimukhanbetova is the Chief Executive Officer of Karagada Regional Universal Research Library. and is head of reference at the East Kazakhstan regional library. Altoty Saliyeva is the Department Head of the Aktobe Regional Universal Scientific Library. Meruyert Zhailibayeva is the head of reference at the East Kazakhstan Regional Library. Last but not least is Meiram Beltembayev, the director of the centralized Library system of Almaty.

Kazakhstan Delegation Visit - Day 3

Today was a celebration of music in Detroit.

We began our journey at Hitsville USA, home of the Motown Museum, where we saw the iconic hat and glove Michael Jackson wore in the Billie Jean video—an incredible piece of music history he personally donated during his visit.

We savored sliders at Green Dot Stables in Corktown for lunch, enjoying a taste of the city's vibrant food scene.

The day culminated at Orchestra Hall, where the Detroit Symphony Orchestra delivered a stunning concert performance of Bizet’s Carmen. As we departed, we had the unexpected pleasure of meeting one of the performers, who graciously posed for a photo with members of our delegation.

The Rotary Gateway Park is a hidden gem in downtown Rochester. Built by the Rochester Rotary Club in 1997, the park features beautiful flower beds, a cascading water feature, and benches to sit and enjoy a few quiet moments. The Rochester Rotary Club continues to upgrade and enhance the park through the volunteer efforts of club members and funding from the purchase of memorial bricks.

Learn More About our Park