Fairfield Rotary provided $2,500 of financial support for Westport Sunrise Rotary Club's Ukraine event. The event by Westport Sunrise Rotary on September 11th hosted three senior Ukrainian leaders responsible for governing communities on the front lines of Russia's full-scale invasion. The visit by the officials, along with Marshall Mayer co-founder of Ukraine Aid International.
The Fairfield Rotary Club donates a Peace Pole at Fairfield Police Station. On Thursday, September 24th Fairfield Rotary in partnership with the Town of Fairfield and Fairfield Police Department dedicated a Peace Pole to the town.
The Fairfield Rotary Club on Monday, October 19th, from 11:45 AM to 2 PM at the Gaelic American Club will host the State Senate (District 28) Candidate Forum.
Rob Blanchard, Democrat, and Amybeth Laroche, Republican, will answer questions vetted and administered by the Club.
Please click on the link below to register and pay:
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/19227/Events/fairfield-state-senator-candidates-forum
(Fairfield, CT) — The Town of Fairfield and the Rotary Club of Fairfield will hold a dedication ceremony for a new Rotary Peace Pole at the Fairfield Police Department on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Noon.
The ceremony coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace, observed annually on September 21st to promote the ideals of peace, understanding, and nonviolence throughout the world.
First Selectperson Christine Vitale, Police Chief of Police Michael Paris, and Fairfield Rotary President Tom Sansone will participate in the ceremony, along with Town officials, members of the Fairfield Police Department, Rotarians, and community residents.
Fairfield Rotarian John Beckmann makes a donation in the Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.
On September 14th, Fairfield Rotary presented a $2,500 donation to Gift of Life International. Gift of Life brings hope to children with heart disease worldwide by providing doctors and nurses with the training, equipment, funding, and support needed to develop sustainable pediatric cardiac programs in their own countries.
Pictured Rob Raylman, Chief Executive Officer of Gift of Life International and Fairfield Rotary's own Bob Vossler
(Fairfield, CT) — The Fairfield Rotary Club in it’s annual grant process is soliciting applications for grants from local community non-profit organizations. Through its Club Foundation, Fairfield Rotary annually distributes funds to local groups who apply for and demonstrate a need for capital to finance a project. In the past twenty years, the Club has given over $500,000. And this year, the Club will be giving out $50,000 in total in various donations up to $5,000 for a single organization. Applications can be filled out now through September 30th submitted via this link - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7MJ3QM2.
Kalaki Unity School Playground Project - Fairfield Rotary financed the playground, located at the Kalaki Unity Nursery & Primary School, Kalaki, Soroti-Kaberamaido Uganda
On Thursday, June 25th Fairfield Rotary welcomed and transitioned to new leadership for the upcoming 2026-2027 year. In doing so, we thank our immediate Past President Brendan McKeon and the entire board for their work on successful year. The Pass the Gavel celebration this past Thursday brought in the new Board and recognized a few club members for their exemplary service contributions.
Shred Fest 2026: April 25th in Fairfield – Secure Your Document Destruction & Support Great Causes
Come out May 11th to Brooklawn Country Club for Fairfield Rotary's 38th Annual Golf Tournament
Register here
Fairfield Rotary Club Hosts First Selectman’s Forum
WHAT: Public forum featuring candidates in Fairfield’s upcoming First Selectman special election.
WHO:
- Fairfield First Selectman, Christine Vitale, Democrat
- CT State Senator, Tony Hwang, Republican
WHEN:
- Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, 11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Snow date: Jan. 26, 2026
WHERE: Gaelic American Club, 74 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT
FORUM DETAILS:
- Candidates will answer pre-selected questions submitted by the public and Rotary members. Each candidate will deliver a closing statement.
- Admission is $20, which includes entry and buffet lunch.
REGISTRATION: Registration is a two-step process. RSVP by January 8th. Pre-payment required.
- Register and submit your questions here: Forum Registration & Questions. (via Survey Monkey portal)
- Pre-Pay here: Forum Payment (via Square portal)
CONTACT: Mark Perlman, firstdiv@optonline.net.
The Fairfield Rotary Club announced the Club’s annual Community Grant Awards to local organizations. Through its Club Foundation, Fairfield Rotary annually distributes funds to local service groups who apply for and demonstrate a need for capital to finance a project. In the past twenty years, the Club has given over $500,000. The following groups were granted funds in 2025:
- Adam’s House
- Bridgeport Rescue Mission
- Caroline House
- Center for Family Justice
- Circle of Care
- Covenant School
- CT Housing Partners
- Fairfield Theatre Company
- Fairfield Police Department
- Fairfield Police Explorers
- Greater CT Youth Orchestra
- Groundwork
- Habitat for Humanity Coastal Ffld County
- Hall Neighborhood House
- Help for Kids
- Klein Memorial
- Norma Pfriem Breast Center
- Nourish Bridgeport
- Operation Hope
- Recovery Community Development
- SHU Discovery Museum
- Smart Kids with Disabilities
- St. Catherine’s Center
- St. John’s Family Center
- Team Woofgang & Co
Special thank you and appreciation for Jay Tini & Bob Vossler for their work to make the Paddle Fest bigger & better this year! This's year proceeds from the event led to a $10,000 donation Clasp Homes
Halloween on the Green
Little witches and goblins (and their adults) are invited to join us for the ninth annual Halloween on the Green. We’ll be offering trick-or-treating, art-making activities, a bounce house, food trucks, and more. October 26, 12-4pm
We will have 300 pumpkins to decorate and give out.
This free family event takes place on the Museum Commons behind the Fairfield Museum. This event is presented by the Fairfield Museum, the Town of Fairfield, Fairfield Community Services, and Experience Fairfield.
Visit fairfieldhistory.org for more information.
Come and join the "Fighting Fairfield Rotarians" on Sunday, October 26th 9:00 AM at Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT as we walk for the second year to raise funds and awareness to help eradicate this horrible disease.
What's better than a Beer Garden in the Fall in New England? One filled with Rotarians and a visit by First Selectman Christine Vitale and Rotary Assistant District Governor Crystal Engram. Thank you for stopping by and showing support!
READREAD ALOUD DAY,ALOUD DAY, November 6, 2025, at the Multicultural Magnet School in Bridgeport, CT
Come bring a smile to a child's face while reading to a class of our next generation.
In addition to enjoy a beer in perfect fall conditions, Fairfield Rotary has sponsored a space in the main area. Please come by the Rotary Membership table. For those over 21, if you leave us your name and email, you get a ticket for a free beer (after you have paid the entrance fee to the Beer garden).
Congratulations to our long-standing members of service to Rotary all with over 25 years of membership and active service:
- John Marshall Lee (50+ years)
- John Beckmann (50+ years)
- Bruce Carter
- Guy Hatfield
- Peter Ambrose
- Renato Gasparian
- Robert Vossler
- Sheryl Shaughnessey
- Richard Huber
- Peter Ventriglia
- Kevin Lesko
- Douglas Williams
- Timothy Russell
- Norma Peterson
- Janet Barillari
- Harry French
- Robert Price
- Thomas Walsh Jr.
Thank you to Past President Alon Sapir and the 2024-2025 Fairfield Rotary Board for your service. The Pass the Gavel celebration this past Thursday brought in our new Board and our next President Brendan McKeon - we look forward to your leadership.
| Position | 2024 - 2025 | 2025-2026 |
| President | Alon Sapir | Brendan McKeon |
| Immediate Past President | Doug Williams | Alon Sapir |
| Past President | Doug Williams | |
| President-Elect | N/A | Tom Sansone |
| Secretary | Jeff Warren | Jeff Warren |
| Assistant Secretary | Sheryl Shaughnessey | |
| Treasurer | Janet Barillari | Janet Barillari |
| Sergeant-at-Arms | Vance Hancock | Pat Matteson |
| Community Service Chair | Tim Russell | OPEN |
| Fellowship Chair | Beverly Balaz | Beverly Balaz |
| International Service Chair | Bill Llewellyn | Bill Llewellyn |
| Membership Chair | Tom Sansone | Tom Sansone |
| Program Chair | Steve Elworthy | Mark Perlman |
| Public Image Chair | Ben Williamson | Ben Williamson |
| Youth Service Chair | John Hoover | John Hoover |
| Rotary Foundation Chair | Debbie Clancy | Alon Sapir |
| Song Leader | Bob Price | Bob Price |
Welcome to Fairfield Rotary's newest member Jennifer Jennings. A lifelong Fairfield resident, Jennifer brings both deep community ties and a broad perspective shaped by travel across the country and parts of the world. For the past 30 years, Fairfield has been home to her husband and Jennifer, where she continued to channel her passion for service, wellness, and connection.
Jennifer currently serves as the Special Events & Development Coordinator at the Norma Pfriem Breast Center, part of Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale New Haven Health, where she helps lead impactful community outreach and fundraising initiatives. Her background includes roles such as Hospitality Director for the Gathering of the Vibes music festival and General Manager of Yoga for Everybody in downtown Fairfield. She is also a certified yoga teacher, animal lover, outdoor enthusiast, and competitive table tennis player.
We look forward to Jennifer's contributions to the club and community!
Fairfield Rotary welcomes Scott Nickel as our newest member. Scott is currently a Sales Executive with AssuredPartners Northeast, serving clients from their offices in Westport and Shelton, Connecticut, where he has worked since May 2022. He previously held a similar role at SIG Insurance in Stamford from 2018 to 2022 and has been active in the insurance industry since 2011.
Before transitioning to insurance, Scott built a strong background in automotive sales and parts, having worked in new car sales from 2001 to 2011 and in auto parts sales from 1985 to 2001.
Scott has a long-standing commitment to community service, particularly through his involvement with organizations supporting disabled athletes and veterans. He has been a dedicated volunteer with World Team Sports since 2002 and served as a guide for blind veterans through Ride 2 Recovery/Project Hero from 2011 to 2016.
A part-time DJ with a passion for giving back, Scott has generously donated his time and talent to several charitable events. He has been the DJ for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides for Breast Cancer Walk in Westport every October since 2016, and he also supported Relay for Life at Ludlowe High School in 2018 and 2019.
Scott is married to his high school classmate, Jocelyn Eppich, from the Darien High School Class of 1978. Together, they have a blended family of four grown children. In his free time, Scott enjoys kayaking on Long Island Sound and is a lifetime member of the Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club.
Fairfield Fairfield Rotary’s Annual M Annual Memorial Day Parade Food & Fund Collection for Veterans
For the 14th consecutive year, during the Memorial Day Parade in Fairfield on Monday, May 26th the Rotary Club will be collecting non-perishable food/canned goods and money (cash, credit card, or checks made out to “Homes for the Brave”) along the parade route to donate and support local Veterans. As is tradition local Veterans will be riding in the truck and helping collect.
Marchers will walk along the parade route collecting items including canned goods, coffee, powder creamers, twin sized sheets, towels, and any toiletries.
The Club is honored to help support Homes for the Brave, a non-profit in Bridgeport, CT whose mission is to help homeless veterans with housing and services necessary to help them return to productive and meaningful life. On any given night in the United States, there are approximately 40,000 Veterans experiencing homelessness.
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