Stories

Albany Rotary Rings in the Spirit of Giving with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign. 

Each December, the familiar sound of ringing bells signals more than just the holiday season—it represents generosity, community, and service above self. This year, Albany Rotary was proud to once again support the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, continuing a tradition of giving that has made a meaningful impact in our community.  

Over the course of two days of bell ringing, Albany Rotary and our friends helped raise $1,327, a testament to the kindness of shoppers and the dedication of our volunteers. Even more impressive, this brings Albany Rotary’s cumulative total over the past few years to $9,000 raised in support of the Salvation Army’s vital programs. These funds help provide food, shelter, emergency assistance, and hope to individuals and families throughout the Capital Region when they need it most.

This year’s success would not have been possible without the people who generously gave their time—often standing for hours in the cold with smiles, bells, and warm greetings. A heartfelt thank you to our Rotary volunteers:
George, Greg Jackson, President Rafael Campiz, Lorenzo Murray, and Peter Mason, who collectively contributed 10 volunteer hours to the campaign.

We are equally grateful to the non-Rotarians who stepped up in the spirit of service and partnership, contributing an impressive 12 volunteer hours. Thank you to Rich Suker, Carol Whitaker, LeAnne Weber, Jim Lawlor, Peter Mason's sons - Peter and Matt Mason, and Matt’s son, Ben, who proudly rang bells alongside Peter, showing that service truly spans generations.

A special thank you to Price Chopper / Market 32 in Guilderland for welcoming our volunteers and providing a high-visibility location that helped make this effort such a success. Community partners like Market 32 play an essential role in creating opportunities for service and connection.

Albany Rotary’s Red Kettle participation is more than a fundraiser—it’s a reflection of our commitment to community service, collaboration, and compassion. Every dollar dropped into the kettle represents a moment of generosity and a reminder that when people come together, small actions can create a powerful impact.

As we look ahead, Albany Rotary remains proud to stand—bell in hand—for those in need and grateful to everyone who helped ring in hope this holiday season.

photoalbums/2025-bell-ringing

Twleve Years of ThanksGIVING meals.

Albany Rotary spends time volunteering at The RED (read each day) Bookshelf helping to prepare books for distribution throughout the capital region. They are a favorite community partner that is currently in our regular service night rotation.  

While there, we sort and categorize donated books, review, clean and mend books so that they are in like-new condition before they land in the hands of their new owner.  Once the books are in tip top condition they are placed in schools, barbershops, health care offices and more awaiting a child to take them to their new home.    

Albany Rotary Club Awards Grant to Support Kind Souls Foundation’s Certified Volunteer Training & Support Program

The Albany Rotary Club has awarded a generous $2,500 Albany Rotary Foundation grant to Kind Souls Foundation, providing vital support for their Certified Volunteer Training & Support Program. This investment strengthens an essential community resource—trained volunteers who offer compassionate, steady support to individuals and families experiencing medical work-displacement.

Helping to address food insecurities are a top priority for many Rotary Clubs around the world and Albany Rotary Club is no exception.  The Regional Food Bank of NENY is another of our community partners that is on our regular service night rotation.  We show up and tackle whatever task is on deck, typically sorting, segregating and boxing food from packaged to frozen to produce.  Lending a hand so that the Food Bank can continue to support the many food pantries and giveaways around the region that are crucial for so many people.  

Albany Rotary partners with seven local childcare agencies to identify foster-care youth for the purpose of affirming their self-worth and bringing the great work of the staff to the community’s attention. In addition, a message is communicated to youth and families that the stigma that is often attached to foster care is being extinguished. 

Each year Albany Rotary sponsors a toys and more collection to benefit the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.  Items include toys, activity items and personal care items.  They can be purchased through our Amazon Wish List and ship direct to Albany Rotary for collection and delivery to the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center.