At yesterday’s Salem Rotary meeting, we welcomed Lucy Collins, Family Recruitment Coordinator at The Home for Little Wanderers. Lucy has dedicated more than 30 years to social services, with the past three decades focused on creating safe, nurturing environments for children in foster care.
During her presentation, Lucy shared the powerful mission of The Home — an organization that has been serving vulnerable children and families across Massachusetts for more than 200 years. Through programs ranging from foster care and adoption services to behavioral health and family support, The Home ensures that young people not only have a safe place to live but also the resources they need to heal, grow, and thrive.
Lucy emphasized the critical need for foster families in our communities. Many children enter foster care carrying deep emotional and behavioral challenges, and The Home works tirelessly to match them with families who can provide both stability and compassion. She reminded us that fostering is not just about providing a roof over a child’s head, but about offering love, guidance, and the chance for a brighter future.
Her message was clear: when communities step forward, lives are changed. Rotary members were encouraged to consider ways to support foster care — whether through direct involvement, spreading awareness, or strengthening partnerships with organizations like The Home for Little Wanderers.
How to Get Involved
Become a Foster Parent – Open your home to a child in need and provide stability and care.
Volunteer or Donate – Help fund vital programs that give children opportunities to thrive.
Spread the Word – Share the mission of The Home with friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Let’s not forget our motto, Service Above Self! The Community Service Committee is working hard this year to find more opportunities for Salem Rotarians to serve in our community. If you are new to the Club, this is a great way to engage with other Rotarians and the Salem community. We even have Rotary t-shirts to wear during these projects. If you do not have one, reach out to President Ryan!
LIFEBRIDGE DINNER Wednesday, September 10 | 4 PM | Lifebridge
Lifebridge helps the folks in our community who are most in need with important basics like shelter and food. Once every two months, volunteers from the Salem Rotary Club make dinner. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make a real impact on people's lives, this is it. Volunteers pick the recipe, get the ingredients, prepare the meal, and help serve it. Many hands make meal service easy, so if you are interested in helping but are not able to shop or create the menu, you are still welcome to sign up to help. You are also welcome to bring family members and friends to volunteer with you. Meal prep typically starts around 4/4:30 PM, with dinner service at 5:30 PM.
SAVE THE DATE: Eliot Services Appreciation Day Cookout Thursday, September 18 | Winter Island
The Salem Rotary Club sponsors this annual lunch for Eliot clients every year. There is food, music and door prizes for guests, and a need for Rotarian volunteers! More details will follow, but if you have interest in helping and availability, please let Marie Cardillo know!
Join your fellow Rotarians, and President Ryan's children, for frivolity, fun, and children's meals served via frisbee! It's a great time of year to enjoy one of Salem's favorite watering holes before the chaos of October truly begins!
REAL Program 2nd Annual Golf Tournament Monday, September 15, 2025 | 12 PM | Kernwood Country Club
Our Rotary Club was challenged by area Rotary Clubs to compete in this upcoming golf tournament to support the REAL Program. The REAL Program is a Lynn-based nonprofit founded in 2013 with a mission to improve and strengthen literacy by providing access to books, educational programs, and vital resources. They empower children, families, and communities to build brighter futures through literacy. If you are interested in representing the club as part of a foursome, reach out to Jason Consalvo.
SAVE THE DATE: Salem Rotary Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Auction and Gala Friday, March 13, 2026 | Hawthorne Hotel
The date and theme for our largest fundraising event of the Rotary year has been selected! Save the date and start planning your attire for what is sure to be a fun and fantastic evening!
RI & District News
DISTRICT GRANTS
Share your ideas for a Rotary District Grant with President Ryan! Each club in our district can apply for matching grants of up to $3,000 to support projects within our community. Projects, with a match from our club, can have a total budget of up to $6,000! The deadline to submit is next week!
CLOTHES & BOOK SWAP FUNDRAISER Sunday, September 28 | 11 AM -3 PM | Danvers Art Association - 105 Elliot Street, Danvers
The District Environmental Committee is excited to announce a District-wide Fundraiser, a Clothes and Book/Puzzle Swap. Clean out your closets and your bookcases and bring your gently used but no longer wanted items to the event (adult clothes only please). Leave empty handed, or feel free to "shop". $10 admission, food, drinks and raffle tickets available for purchase. This event is open to all so please invite your friends and family.
DG BOB WOOD MEMORIAL HEROES’ CELEBRATION: A Rotary Foundation/Paul Harris Fellow Event for our Veterans: Honoring Those Who Have Served! Wednesday, November 12 | Andover Country Club
Clubs are invited to nominate a local hero in our community and award them a Paul Harris Recognition. This year's honoree must be a military veteran this year. If you have a suggestion for a Salem hero, please contact President Ryan.
OTHER DISTRICT EVENTS
Sept. 1 Nominations for District Governor 2028–2029 open
Feb. 12 World Peace and Understanding Event
Mar. 21 “Spring into Action” Polio Fundraiser
May 16 District Conference
Jun. 13-17 RI Convention in Taipei
Salem Rotarians Say . . .
While everyone seemed very happy, we did not have time to talk about it. Stay tuned until next week!
18 Washington Square
Salem, MA 01970 United States of America
NOTE: The fourth Tuesday of the month is an evening meeting, beginning at 5:15 p.m.
If you are interested in learning more about Salem Rotary, please email president@salemrotary.com.
Lifebridge helps the folks in our community who are most in need with important basics like shelter and food. Once every two months, volunteers from the Salem Rotary Club make dinner. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make a real impact on people's lives, this is it. Volunteers pick the recipe, get the ingredients, prepare the meal, and help serve it. Many hands make meal service easy, so if you are interested in helping but are not able to shop or create the menu, you are still welcome to sign up to help. You are also welcome to bring family members and friends to volunteer with you. Meal prep typically starts around 4/4:30 PM, with dinner service at 5:30 PM. 
