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Join Highland Rotary on October 21 for our HicksStrong Hug Mug Paint & Save fundraiser to support mental health services for active-duty service members and veterans. The Hug Mug program turns a simple act of creativity into a meaningful show of support. Your $60 donation will not only help fund mental health services for active-duty service members and veterans, but you’ll also paint a special Hug Mug that will be given to them upon their call for help as a reminder that they are loved, appreciated, and supported.

A limited number of seats are available. A light meal (sandwiches and deli salads) will be served. Registration is required by October 16th.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

Are you ready for a hilarious night to support a great cause?

Enjoy an evening of great comedy for a great cause! The Highland Rotary Club presents Mike Gaffney and Joey Callahan on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Bad Seed Cider in Highland.

These accomplished headliners bring national television credits, comedy club experience, and plenty of personality to the stage:

Mike Gaffney — A semifinalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Gaffney has appeared on Gotham Comedy Live and stars in the Dry Bar Comedy special Dummy Magnet. His quick wit and relatable takes on everyday life and fatherhood make him an audience favorite.

Joey Callahan — Callahan has headlined clubs and casinos across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, with appearances on Comedy Central, ESPN, Fox TV, and the BBC. His fast-paced humor and energetic delivery are also featured in his Dry Bar Comedy special Notorious F.O.D.

The evening includes a buffet dinner, and proceeds will benefit the Ascension Holy Trinity Food Pantry in Highland, helping neighbors access the food they need.

Friday, November 13, 2026
Bad Seed Cider | 43 Baily’s Gap Road, Highland
Doors open: 6 PM | Buffet dinner begins: 6:30 PM
Tickets: $55 for one or $100 for two

Gather your friends for a night out that gives back.

Purchase Comedy Club Tickets

$15K Presented to First Responders

Our club was honored to present the Town of Lloyd Police and Highland Fire District with $7,500 EACH to help fund new safety equipment. The funds were raised through our First Responders Golf Outing. Rotarians were also treated to a fascinating demonstration of some of the past purchases that have been funded through our efforts, including a drone to assist in search/rescue and situational assessment, as well as a device to help quickly and safely raise heavy objects to assist in situations with entrapments, to name a few. We are so proud to support our first responders and humbled to know that our efforts could one day help a community member in an emergency. Thank you to all the Rotarians, golfers, sponsors, and other supporters who helped make the Golf Outing a success and made this donation possible, especially our fourth year in a row title sponsor, JSP Home Services.

Rotarians Support Elementary Children with Snacks and Recess Fun

Supporting our schools means listening to what they need—and finding meaningful ways to help.

This week, members of the Highland Rotary Club (HRC) delivered the first of several planned donations of bulk snacks to Highland Elementary School to help ensure that children who may not come to school with one don't go without. We also delivered 26 pounds of sidewalk chalk for students to enjoy during recess and outdoor time.

Service Above Self: More than a Motto

An unexpected crisis turns into a powerful display of community, resilience, and heart.

What was meant to be an elegant evening of recognition quickly became something far more meaningful.

On Friday April 17, with just 35 minutes until the Highland Rotary Club’s annual Service Above Self Awards Dinner was set to begin, an emergency unfolded at Casa Milanes, which was the event venue and, fittingly, one of the evening’s honorees. A fuel oil tank incident forced an immediate evacuation of the building just as guests were arriving and others were en route.

In a matter of moments, months of planning seemed at risk.

But what followed was a real-time demonstration of exactly what Rotary is all about.

Rotarians Show Up Strong for Hope on a Mission!

In April, 16 Highland Rotarians showed up with a simple goal: serve others. What we experienced was so much more.

Alongside volunteers from Hope on a Mission, the Club served over 150 meals to individuals facing homelessness and hardship, surviving on the streets in Poughkeepsie. From grilled chicken thighs, to homemade mac and cheese, baked beans, corn muffins, cookies, brownies—and more than 100 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches—every item was prepared and provided by Rotary, with care and intention. (Special thank you to community member Mark Elia for preparing all of the chicken for us!)

But what stood out most wasn’t just the food.

HRC Donates $1K to Teen Closet

Rotarians were proud to be able to meet some of the student members of the Peer Leadership Club while making a delivery of essential items to the Highland High School Teen Closet last week. This was the second delivery of necessities Rotarians have sponsored for the closet this year, completing a $1,000 total donation for 2025-2026 school year.

The Teen Closet is stocked with basic necessities, such as clothing, shampoo, deodorant, body wash, and more. The Closet is a confidential resource, coordinated through the Guidance Department, where students can access what they need with dignity and privacy.

We’re thankful to play a small role in supporting Highland students and ensuring every young person has access to the essentials they need to feel confident and ready to learn.

Local Generosity, Global Impact: A Gift of Shelter

Once again we are reminded of the incredible generosity and heart within our Rotary family. Our fellow member Bjarne Mikkelsen presented the Club with a $1,000 donation from his nonprofit, Hudson Valley Helps Refugees, to purchase a ShelterBox.

For those who may not know, ShelterBox is an international disaster relief organization that partners closely with Rotary. When disaster strikes — whether from earthquakes, hurricanes, conflict, or displacement — ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to families who have lost everything. It is often the very first step toward stability, dignity, and hope for families facing unimaginable circumstances.

Rotary has partnered with ShelterBox for over two decades, and together Rotarians around the world have helped deliver shelter and supplies to millions of people in crisis BJ’s consistent dedication to helping displaced humans across the globe means that a family somewhere in the world will have protection, warmth, and a safe place to regroup during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.

https://www.facebook.com/highlandnyrotary

Welcome to the Highland Rotary Club

Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Wednesdays at 7:10 a.m.

From the Ground Up Cafe; Vineyard Commons

6142 Merlot Dr
Highland, NY 12528
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

Our Projects

President

President Elect

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Board Member

Sergeant-at-Arms

Immediate Past President

Don Verity

The Rotary Foundation

PDG Chrissy G. Giangrasso

Public Relations

Holly Brooker

Rotary Day of Service Chair

Ruy Alencar

Membership Chair

BJ Mikkelsen

Rotary International

Rotary Foundation

Joining Rotary

Club Finder

Learning Center

Brand Center

Mission:

The Highland Rotary Club mission is to support local community and international needs through the Five Avenues of Service: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, New Generations Service, and International Service guided by the ethical standards of the Four-Way Test.

Vision:

The Highland Rotary Club is one of the leading service organizations in the community, serving as a positive resource for the local community and expanding our humanitarian support internationally. As a service leader in the community, we make a difference in the lives of many people during their time of need and work to foster our service ethics with our youth.

A LOOK BACK TO 2025:

We were once again honored to donate $15,000 to to be split between the Highland Fire District and Town of Lloyd Police to aid in the purchase of safety equipment. The funds were raised through the generosity of our sponsors and participants in our third annual First Responder Golf Outing in May 2025. Special thanks to our returning title sponsor JSP Home Services!

A LOOK BACK TO 2024: Our second annual golf outing was a success and as a result we were honored to present $15,000 to our first responders to be split between the Highland Fire District and Town of Lloyd Police to aid in the purchase of safety equipment. Special thanks to our title sponsor JSP Home Services!

A LOOK BACK TO 2023: We were honored to present the Highland Hose Co. No. 1 Fire District with a check for $10,000 to aid in the purchase of safety equipment. The funds were raised through the generosity of our sponsors of and participants in our first-ever golf outing in May 2023 to benefit first responders. Special thanks to our title sponsor JSP Home Services.