Rondequoter

Therese Corrigan-Bastuk took notes tonight.  Thanks Terri!

The Town of Irondequoit is holding listening sessions with various civic organization.  Tom and Brandon attended a session with town representatives.  It was an opportunity for Tom and Brandon to educate representatives about Rotary’s contributions to the community.  They also recapped the Signature project with the representatives and reinforced the club’s desire to start the project soon.  The representatives inquired as to what the club needs from the town.  Membership growth and town partnerships where examples cited.  

Kenn shared there hasn’t been any updates about the foundation since the chair passed. Interviews for a new chair are starting.

Lynn talked entertaining 120 Shire residents with a tail gate Superbowl party.  Lynn suggested starting with appetizers at 3PM and then serving pizza and dessert at 5PM.  The club committed to providing support, but details need to be finalized with the Shire.  

Lynn also said future projects at the Shire could include working with the Boy Scouts on a firepit and planters.  

The Club will participate in Winterfest. Children can make cards for the Legacy Valentine’s Day party on February 11^th.  

Grant Seminar - two people are needed on 1/17 in Bath and the 2/21 in Linden Oaks Office Park.  Kenn will attend a grant seminar.  

There is one outstanding check from the pasta dinner. It is estimated that $43k was collected, netting $39k.

The Club received a thank you note from the Rochester Ecology Partners.

Kelley Ligozio, Senior Director of Development for Special Olympics and an Irondequoit resident was our guest speaker.  

Special Olympics New York provides inclusive opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities, who compete in Olympic-style, coached sports at no cost to our athletes, their families or caregivers.

Rochester’s “Freezin' For A Reason” Polar Plunge  is one of the largest fundraisers for the Special Olympics. Last year’s event raised $350,000 and included 1800 plungers and 5000 spectators. There were 75 students from West Irondequoit High School who plunged raising $15,000.

The proceeds help to support world athletes, including expenses for three Rochester athletes that participated in the2025 Torino, Italy Special Olympics.

Rochester is the host for the 2026 state games.  There will be 2000 athletes coming to compete in February.  The Polar Plunge money helps with transportation and housing.  

Thanks to a donation from the Golisano Foundation, students in high school or younger can participate in the NEW Cool School Mobile Polar Plunge. The mobile polar plunge is a portable, self-contained tank or trailer filled with ice-cold water, allowing Polar Plunge events to happen anywhere, not just at lakes or beaches.  West Irondequoit students will be plunging at 4PM on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Nazareth University.  The lakeside event will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 12Noon(Registration Starts at 9:00AM), Roger Robach Community Center, Ontario Beach.  

While Dan Dwyer will be plunging in Mexico, Tom Kosanke, Brandon Barnhart, Dave Long and others will be plunging in Lake Ontario.

Conscious fines included numerous donations for everyone’s good health, the holidays and Kelley’s presentation. Bob was grateful for members who reached out about Lori’s health.  She is doing well and is continuing to recover.  Dan is going on a cruise for his 51^st wedding anniversary and his granddaughter got engaged. Ray put in money for a successful cataract surgery.  Many thanked Tony for getting the club open and taking care of dinner with Lou and Bob out.  Lynn put money in for her 43^rdwedding anniversary.