Welcome to the Hamburg Rotary Club
Welcome to our Club!
Hamburg

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Thursdays at 7:30 AM
Municipal Building, Hamburg
61 N. Third St.
Municipal Building
Hamburg, PA 19526
United States of America
Second Thursday at 7:30 and fourth Thursday at 12PM
Welcome to the Hamburg Rotary website
As part of our on going effort to support our local community, the Hamburg Rotary, has been a strong advocate for the local Salvation Army. This year, as in years past, we are making a financial contribution. This year we are giving the local chapter a check for $1,500 to support their efforts in the Hamburg area. Office Manager and Caseworker Amy Shanaman is pictured here receiving the donation from Tom Roth, Rotary Club President. Amy will be meeting with the
Hamburg Rotary Club at the breakfast meeting on Feb. 8th. 
At the Thursday lunch meeting this month the speaker for our meeting was Chelsea Williams, Director of the Hamburg Public Library. Ms. Williams started her presentation by telling the Hamburg Rotarians about the history of the library. The Hamburg Library is the second oldest library in Berks county and was founded in 1903 with a $10,000 donation from Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie only agreed to the donation after the community agreed to fund the future of the library. Both Carnegie and the local community believed that a library was a vital part of the community. Today the library provides a wide range of services to the local community. In addition to offering a wide selection of books, audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs, other services are public computers, WiFi access, faxing, photocopying, reference services, and adult and children programming.  
Ms. Williams also told our group about the library's expansion plans. he Library is planning to expand the facility to allow it to comply with the ADA by providing additional access for those not able to use the stairs at the main entrance. The expansion will also add more space for meeting rooms and more books.
As Rotarians we believe in supporting the community and the by supporting the library and its mission to provide services to Northern Berks County. Every year the Hamburg Rotary has made a donation to the Hamburg library. This year the Hamburg Rotary increased the donation to $1,000. In the picture President Tom Roth is presenting Director Chelsea Williams with a check for $1,000.
The Hamburg Rotary Club Presidents' Night was a spectacular event filled with warmth, appreciation, and a sense of community. It marked the transition of leadership from Donna Leibensperger Parr, the outgoing President, to Thomas Roth, the incoming President. The occasion was held at Dave Shefter's WhereHouse on Pine Street in Hamburg. The WhereHouse provided a perfect setting for the evening.
 
Over the past year Donna has given her all to promote the Hamburg Rotary to the community. 
As the guests arrived, the air was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and friendly conversations as members, friends, and guests gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and welcome new beginnings. The event showcased the dedication and commitment of the Hamburg Rotary Club to service above self.
A special tribute was paid to Kay Greenawalt, who was honored as the Rotarian of the Year. Kay's tireless efforts, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to the Rotary Club's mission. Over the last year Kay has worked to establish the Hamburg Rotary Satellite Club, partnered with the Blue Mountain Wildlife to improve the Kernsville Dam area, was 
 Her dedication served as an inspiration to all, reinforcing the core values of Rotary: service, integrity, and fellowship.
The 22nd annual Hamburg Rotary Golf Tournament was held at the Galen Hall Golf Club. There was a full slate of 128 golfers all ready to see if they could beat the course with record scores.  The day started off as overcast but that was no threat of rain. From all reports, everyone had a great time and when the golf was over sat down to a wonderful meal catered by David Shefter and the Wherehouse in Hamburg
Keith Phillips is the chairman for the golf committee and this was another spectacular job well done.  Special thanks to all our sponsors, we could not do what we do without you. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped with registration, putting out sponsor signs, manning the beverage cart and so much more...you made the outing a success. 
On a beautiful summer day, June 18, 2023, the Rotary Club of Hamburg came together to support the Schuylkill River Sojourn, an annual event that celebrates the scenic beauty of the Schuylkill River and promotes environmental conservation. The Hamburg Rotary Club hosted a lunch stop at the Peter Yarnell Landing Schuylkill River Trailhead, where they provided food, entertainment, and a sense of community to the participants. Lunch included a delicious spread of cold cuts, fresh vegetables, cookies, pretzels, and chips, ensuring that everyone had plenty to eat and sustain themselves for the rest of their journey. 
Beyond feeding the hungry paddlers, the Rotary Club of Hamburg also offered musical entertainment, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Haley Sheeler, a talented musician, took the stage with her guitar and entertained the audience with her soulful voice and melodic tunes. Her performance added an extra touch of magic to the already captivating surroundings, creating a truly unforgettable experience for all.
 
The Schuylkill River Sojourn itself holds immense significance. It is an annual paddling and camping event that spans several days, bringing together outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and nature lovers from near and far. The journey down the Schuylkill River offers an opportunity to appreciate the river's ecological importance while also enjoying the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
This is the tenth year that the Hamburg Rotary has been involved in the Schuylkill River Sojourn. It is an example of  the organization's commitment to service and community engagement. By offering nourishment, entertainment, and a sense of togetherness, the Rotary Club enhanced the experience for all participants, leaving a lasting positive impact on the event.
As the lunchtime stop came to an end, the paddlers resumed their journey, rested, well fed and invigorated by the support they had received from the Hamburg Rotary Club. Their shared experience, fueled by food, music, and fellowship, embodied the spirit of the Schuylkill River Sojourn and the values of the Rotary Club.
THE FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH
The FIRST Thursday of the month we will  meet at 6:00 p.m. at the Westy on State Street in West Hamburg for dinner and a Club Assembly. There will be no morning meeting those days.
Five HAHS juniors participated in this year's Camp Neidig from June 16-June 18. Quinn Bucheit, Joey Dalton Jr., Ashley Lojko, Lydia Warner, and Lyndsey Carr joined almost 120 other campers from across southeastern Pennsylvania to practice team-building skills, learn about leadership, and enjoy  many fun activities.
Another delightful Sojourn experience serving lunch to approximately 120 kayakers participating in the Schuylkill Sojourn 2017 on Sunday, June 4. What a pleasant day with the music of Haley Sheeler, appreciative hungry kayakers, and two "future Rotarian" volunteers--- Greg Rautzhan's oldest son and Tom and Christine Roth's granddaughter. Also participating were Titus Miller, Kim Bagenstose, Sandy Christman, and Fred Sheeler.
Jose Galarza, Jr. placed third with his speech on meeting the needs of senior citizens  in the West Region 4-Way test Speech Contest held Saturday, April 22, at Kutztown University. Jose competed against students representing Rotary Clubs from Kutztown, Fleetwood, West Reading/ Wyomissing, Conrad Weiser, and Reading. Ayla Blatt of Kutztown placed first for her speech on the value of buying local produce and  Rachael Maurer of Conrad Weiser placed second for her speech on helping the homeless and lifting up those in poverty. Jose was awarded a certificate and $100.
Pictured from left to right are HAHS sophomores Jenny Chen, Julia Doklan, and Haley Savastano; juniors Eliza Moseman and Grace Kutz, and home-schooled senior Jose Galarza, Jr.  All contestants received a certificate for participating. Haley Savastano won $25 for Fourth Place in speaking about GMOs. Eliza Moseman won $50 for Third Place in speaking on Portfolio-based assessment. Grace Kutz , second place speaker, won $100 for discussing Affordable Health Care, and Jose Galarza, first place speaker, also won $100. He spoke on meeting the needs of senior citizens.  Jose will go on to compete in the regional contest to be held April 22 at Kutztown University. If Jose is not able to compete that day, Grace Kutz will then represent the Hamburg Rotary.

Schuylkill River Sojourn June 5,2016--- Rotary Club of Hamburg under leadership of Allen Shollenberger prepared and served lunch to 129 kayakers participating in the Schuylkill River Sojourn  in Berne. A great afternoon of service and fellowship!
The second annual 4-Way Test speech Contest was held at Hamburg Area High School on Thursday, February 18, 2016.  Four HAHS students competed, giving 5-7 minute persuasive speeches on a topic that met the criteria of the 4-Way Test. Yelitza Pagan a junior, won first place for her speech on "Benefits of Teenage Employment." Sophomore Eliza Moseman won second place for her speech on Immigration. Jose Galarza, also a sophomore, won third place for his speech on Homeless Veterans. Honorable Mention was won by Dominic Lombardo, a freshman, for his speech on Leadership. These students each received certificates and checks for $100, $50, $25, and $25 respectively.
Christine Roth was Contest Chair; Judges were two Rotarians, Titus A. Miller III and Beth A.Heckart, and Lori Donofrio-Galley of the Northeast Berks Chamber of Commerce. Also assisting at the contest were Rotarians Eric George, timekeeper,and Martha Bertolet and Donna Palko, tellers.
 
 
Several Rotarians participated in the Potato Project on Sunday, September 20 at a farm outside of Shoemakersville. Pictured next to the results of the harvest are (L to R) AG Bob Hobaugh, President Kim, Bob Delong, and Titus Miller. 
The Annual Hamburg-er Fest was a huge success once again. Several Rotarians volunteered to help the Our Town Foundation at the event held Saturday, Sept. 5, 2016, by manning booths, providing information, and guiding visitors. Among the volunteers were Tom Roth, Chris Roth, Titus Miller, Martha Bertolet, Fred Sheeler, and many others.
District 7430 Governor Doug Cook and Assistant Governor Bob Hobaugh are pictured with President Kim Bagenstose at the Hamburg Club Meeting on Sept. 3. DG Doug held the club's attention describing what Rotary means to him and encouraged members to attend the District Conference at the Inn at Pocono Manor April 8-10, 2016.
Rotary Club of Hamburg received the District Governor's Citation for its outstanding effort to "Light up Rotary Through Education" at the District Changeover Dinner June 29, 2015. Past President Titus A. Miller, along with Trude Miller and club members Elaine Swavely and Allen Shollenberger , attended.
Frederick C. Sheeler was named Hamburg's Rotarian of the Year at the President's Night Dinner held June 26, 2015. Christine L. Roth presented Fred with a plaque recognizing his dedication to the principles of Rotary.
Hamburg Rotary is a group of like-minded men and women who are interested in helping others in our community and throughout the world by promoting goodwill, peace, and understanding. Rotary's 31,000 clubs in more than 200 countries, with 1.2 million members, encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects. These projects address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment.
Rotary is one of the top humanitarian and philanthropic organizations in the world and has the largest independently funded scholarship program in the world.
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Upcoming Events
March 2024
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Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Martha Bertolet
    March 14
Spouse/Partner Birthdays:
  • Andrea Leibensperger
    March 11
Anniversaries:
  • Raymond Frey
    Carolyn Frey
    March 19
Join Date:
  • Eric S. George
    March 1, 1987
    37 years
  • Buck Holtzman
    March 7, 1985
    39 years
  • Kay Greenawalt
    March 12, 1998
    26 years
  • Derek Leibensperger
    March 27, 2014
    10 years