Stratford Rotary Club is part of a global and local network of neighbors and community leaders from many walks of life who pledge to bring service above self, integrity, and partnerships that strengthen the community—without political or religious affiliation. We were chartered in 1957.
The following report highlights Stratford Rotary’s 2025 Year of Impact through community-supported fundraising for schools, nonprofits, families, and service programs in Stratford and beyond. In 2025, Stratford Rotary Fundraising events totaled $68,350 that supported immediate needs in the community as well as long-term needs. We fundraise through the collaboration of our members under the leadership of Past-President Harold Watson and Current President Dominic Mantuano.
In addition to community projects, our work extended to regional and global leadership through PolioPlus, clean water projects including the installation of water wells in Uganda, and disaster relief efforts in Connecticut, North Carolina, and those affected by the Los Angeles fires.
Together, these efforts reflect a Rotary year defined not by any single project, but by multiple projects that support the four questions that comprise our motto: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Stratford Rotary meets on the first three Tuesdays of each month at 12:15 PM at Riverview Bistro Restaurant. If you care about Stratford, believe in lending a hand, and enjoy working alongside others to make a difference, you are welcome to attend a meeting or event and learn more.
Rotary Rib Night: This is our signature annual fundraiser, supporting local charitable projects and nonprofit organizations. Sold-out every year, it has it all: great food, music and dancing, great raffles, gifts you can bid on, and a 50/50 drawing. This year’s event will soon be announced. Hope to see you there!
Thanksgiving Turkey Delivery for Sterling House: Rotary donated over 232 turkeys and turkey breasts. In total, Stratford Rotary donated $6,221 to Sterling House to fund their Thanksgiving Donations.
Stuff the Bus: Stratford Rotary helped out the Stratford YMCA Stuff the Bus with volunteers and funds. The Club donated $500, and members donated food. Pictured are Club members and Interact Club members.
Bike Rodeo: Stratford Rotary worked with the South End Community Center for the 18th Bike Rodeo, which stresses and teaches bike safety. Children not only learn bike safety, but are treated to a cookout.
Rotary EPIC Day of Service: President’s Peace Project, part of our Epic Day of Service, includes: planting a drought-hardy butterfly perennial garden; the unveiling and dedication of Stratford Rotary’s Peace Pole; a new bench dedicated to help create a small “Peace Pocket Park” area for contemplation for all our communities. Our new Peace Pole signals our hope for Peace in our Communities and Peace throughout the World. These messages are delivered in many languages inscribed on the Peace Pole – English, Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Algonquin, Hebrew, American Sign Language and Braille. The Unity Rainbow flag, Veterans for Peace and Rotary International Logo, AND a QR code will link to thousands of Peace Pole installations worldwide.
Dictionaries and Thesaurus Donations to Schools: This year the Stratford Rotary Club gave 458 dictionaries to 3rd grade students in 9 schools, and 469 thesauruses to 5th grade students in 9 schools. This is done annually by the Stratford Rotary Club.
Stratford Main Street Festival: One of Stratford’s largest community events supporting local charities and nonprofit partners. Rotary Club of Stratford are the Event Organizers. Over 8,000 people and 250+ vendors from all CT towns enjoy this annual town-wide Stratford Main Street Festival.
Scholarships: The categories are: College-bound student support based on academic achievement, $6,000; Vocational Technical schools scholarships, $2,000; Bruce Carr Citizenship, $2,000. Since 2018 we have given out $51,750 in scholarships.
Lord’s Kitchen: Every Monday and Wednesday, the Lord’s Kitchen, an initiative of the, Stratford Clergy Association, welcomes all to Christ Episcopal Church for a meal from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., cooked and served by Stratford churches and non-profits. Our club answers the call twice a year.
Lunch with Santa: In partnership with the Stratford School System’s Pupil Services Department, we annually host Lunch with Santa at Riverview Bistro. Twenty special-needs students, along with their teachers, enjoyed lunch, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus themselves. Gifts, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer were on the menu. Inclusive holiday experience for special-needs students totaled $1,100.
Stratford Rotary Bingo Night: A community fundraiser supporting Rotary scholarship programs. Bingo Night’s success expected to continue in 2026.
Stratford Rotary Annual Shredding & Electronic Recycling: A community service day for the club collecting residents’ papers for secure shredding and electronic recycling.
2025 Stratford Rotary Fundraising Events — $68,350
| Fundraising Event | Purpose |
| Rotary Rib Night | Signature annual fundraiser supporting local charitable projects and nonprofit organizations |
| Stratford Main Street Festival | One of Stratford’s largest community events supporting local charities and nonprofit partners |
| Stratford Rotary Bingo Night | Community fundraiser supporting Rotary scholarship programs |
| Annual Charity Golf Tournament | Fundraising supporting Rotary charitable initiatives |
| Paper Shredding & Electronic Recycling | Community service day collecting residents’ papers for secure shredding and electronic recycling |
2025 Stratford Rotary Community Investments — $68,415
Direct Beneficiaries of Fundraising Support (Alphabetical Order)
| Program or Recipient | Purpose and Community Impact | Amount |
| Academic Scholarships | College-bound student support based on academic achievement | $6,000 |
| BEST Education | Classroom and enrichment support for students | $500 |
| Bethlehem House | Housing and support services | $200 |
| Bruce Carr Civic Engagement Scholarships | Recognizing student leadership and civic responsibility | $2,000 |
| Bunnell and Stratford High School Post Prom | Safe post-prom celebrations for graduating seniors | $500 |
| Bunnell High School Band | Travel to Musicfest, Orlando, Florida, winning several competitions | $1,000 |
| cARTie | Art museum bus bringing hands-on arts education to PreK–grade 2 students | $500 |
| Disaster Relief, Connecticut Flooding | Food and supplies for affected communities | $500 |
| Disaster Relief, Los Angeles Fires | Emergency disaster relief supplies | $3,000 |
| Disaster Relief, North Carolina Flooding | Food and supplies for affected communities | $500 |
| Dolly Parton Imagination Library | Children’s books supporting early literacy | $1,200 |
| End Hunger NE | Mobilizes volunteers and funds to pack and distribute nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals to Stratford and Milford | $2,000 |
| EPIC Day of Service Peace Project | Peace garden, Peace Pole, and reflection space | $2,000 |
| Gift Cards for Lord’s Kitchen Attendees | Grocery and essentials support | $250 |
| Gift of Life | Life-saving care for children with congenital heart defects | $2,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Connecticut | Youth leadership and development programs | $500 |
| Hall Neighborhood House | Educational materials | $1,200 |
| High School Civic Programs | Mock elections using official voting equipment | $1,750 |
| Hispanic Heritage Scholarship Dinner | Scholarships and cultural celebration | $500 |
| Install Water Wells in Uganda | Access to clean and safe drinking water | $1,000 |
| Lord’s Kitchen | Community meal program | $1,885 |
| Lunch With Santa | Inclusive holiday experience for special-needs students | $1,100 |
| Martin de Porres Academy Celebration | Community celebration honoring the legacy of Rotarian Lynda Hammond | $600 |
| Member Contributions to Global Projects (Annual Fund) | Sustainable projects supporting disease prevention, maternal and child health, education, clean water, the environment, economic development, and peacebuilding | $4,760 |
| New Paradigm Theatre | Arts education and youth performance programs | $1,500 |
| Perry House Foundation | Community and family support services | $1,200 |
| Perry House Foundation & New Paradigm Theatre | Joint community arts initiative | $500 |
| PolioPlus | Global initiative to eradicate polio worldwide | $1,877 |
| Publishing the Rotary Children’s Book on Kindness and the Four-Way Test | Youth education promoting ethics and kindness | $5,000 |
| Ruby and Calvin Fletcher African American Museum | An immersive, artifact-rich journey through African American history | $500 |
| Scouts BSA Troop 74 | Youth leadership and outdoor education | $500 |
| SECC Bike Rodeo | Youth bicycle safety education | $172 |
| Sterling House | Weekend Hunger Backpack program | $1,200 |
| Stratford Food Pantries | Support for four local food pantries | $2,000 |
| Stratford & Bunnell High School Interact Clubs | Youth leadership and service initiatives | $2,000 |
| Stratford High School | Student programs and enrichment | $1,500 |
| Stratford High School Music Program | Band trip support | $1,200 |
| Stratford HS Students | Camera for student projects | $1,000 |
| Stratford Library | Literacy and community education programs | $1,000 |
| Stratford VFW | Wreaths honoring veterans | $1,200 |
| Stuff a Bus YMCA Partnership | Food insecurity support and volunteer service | $1,000 |
| Thanksgiving Turkey Delivery for Sterling House | 232 turkeys and turkey breasts for families | $6,221 |
| Unity in the Community | Community-based unity and inclusion initiatives | $900 |
| Vocational Scholarships | Career and technical education support | $2,000 |
| Youth Money Management | Financial literacy education | $500 |
