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
 
News
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.
Read more...
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.
Read more...
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.
 
Read more...
Feeding the Hungry 2026
February 7 may have been one of the very coldest days of this year, but our hearts were filled with warmth at Saint Augustine's as we worked alongside so many community partners to provide a warm, delicious mean to those who needed it. Although at a 2 degree temperature outside it was too cold to get many walk-ins, that did not hold this mighty army of volunteers back, as we instead packed up meals and sent a caravan of drivers out to deliver them to more than 300 people in our community and across the river at Hope On A Mission:HOAM. Many thanks to all of the organizations who helped make this possible through their donations or volunteer hours, including Kevin Ronk at Sals Catering, the Knights of Columbus, the Mount Academy, Catholic Daughters, Highland High School Interact Club members, Hannaford, Sandro at Casa Milanese, and many more!
Supporting Our Neighbors with Coats & Turkeys
 
 
We were so happy to be able to provide Ulster County Community Action Committee, Inc. with 80 turkey breasts and 30 new coats to provide to people in our community who need some support. When you support a Highland, NY Rotary Club activity, raffle, or fundraiser, this is the good work you are supporting.
 
Club Information
Welcome to the Highland Rotary Club
Highland

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
What We Do
Club Executives & Directors
President
Pete Fiorese
President Elect
Ruy Alencar
Vice President
Stacey DeLaney
Secretary
Deborah Laubach
Treasurer
Mark Mahoney
Board Member
Holly Brooker
Sergeant-at-Arms
Lee Barrington
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 Links

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 2024: 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. The funds were raised through the generosity of our sponsors and participants in our second annual First Responder Golf Outing in May 2024. 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.
Upcoming Events
View More...
Photo Albums
💙 Service Above Self in Action 💙 On Saturday, May 31, we had the honor of sponsoring, preparing, and serving a hot meal to more than 100 individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction through the Hope On A Mission:HOAM street outreach in Poughkeepsie.
 
Highland Rotary is proud to support their mission, and this event marked one of many times our members have stepped up to serve. This time, Rotarians were also joined by several dedicated student volunteers from the Mount Academy.
We left humbled, inspired, and reminded why we do what we do. 💛

2024 Service Above Self Honorees

 
The Rotary "Service Above Self" motto conveys the humanitarian spirit of our organization. Each year, the Highland Rotary Club recognizes the people in our community who live by the same motto and are dedicated to serving our local community.

Award Honorees for 2024 are Jami Anson, Dennis Bragg, Raegan Hons, Sorbello Landscaping/Steven Sorbello, and TRC Auto Repair/Matthew & Sarah Bahr. You make our community a better place and are an example for all to follow.