A Message from the Club President

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Welcome to the website of the Rotary Club of Kingston.

Our club has been providing financial and hands-on support to residents of the greater Kingston area since its inception in 1916. During the past year we have supported the efforts of such local organizations as Big Brother/Big Sisters, the YM and YWCAs, UARC, the Ulster Literacy Society, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Queen’s Galley, the People’s Place and many more. In addition, we have awarded over $6,000 in scholarships to deserving 2009 graduates of both Kingston and Coleman High Schools and Ulster County Community College.

In conjunction with the city of Kingston, we maintain, beautify and enhance the grounds and facilities of the lovely Rotary Park at Kingston Point. We have installed and maintain picnic tables, barbeque grills, gazebos and other facilities that allow families to enjoy free and open access to the beautiful Hudson River.

But our work is not limited to the region. We embrace the larger goal of Rotary International by working to promote peace and understanding throughout the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians in 32,000 clubs located in over 160 countries around the world. Recently we have teamed with other clubs to support various health and cultural exchange projects in Thailand, Viet Nam, Guatemala, Ecuador, Russia, France, Spain and India. The Rotary effort to eradicate polio around the world has long been acknowledged as a model for programs of this kind. 

There is much that remains to be done. I urge you to consider joining us in our work. We meet for lunch and fellowship every week and you are welcome to join us without any obligation. Consider taking advantage of this productive and rewarding opportunity to be a part of something larger than yourself and contribute to the betterment of people’s lives everywhere.

Sincerely yours,

Bill Colagrande