East Haven Rotary Club held their fundraiser, The Great Golf Ball Drop, at the Kennedy Field on September 20, 2025. They raised over 76% of $10,000 of their goal and gave over the prize money to whoever’s golf ball was closest to the flag. The raffle money from this event goes into meal prepping for EH families, clothing for EH children, and funding the African Water Initiative.
One of their longest held events is the Ben Mazzucco Clothe the Children event, which has happened annually for over 20 years. The Rotary Club identifies children from EHPS who meet are in need of clothes to spend $100 at Kohl’s with the Rotarians. The Rotary Club has been renowned for giving back to and truly building up the community. The East Haven Rotary Club is a local chapter of an international organization. Their international motto, “Service Above Self,” has been taken seriously by all club members who consistently go beyond and help those in need.
The Rotary Club also awards students from EHPS to become student of the month. Students in their junior year of EHHS, become eligible to receive the $1,000 Jack Leary Memorial Scholarship. Last year, Matthew C. received this scholarship that funded towards his major in Quinnipiac. One of their most popular Rotary Club events happens here at EHHS, The Anginette War. Numerous local bakeries and home bakers sign up to bake over 200 Anginette cookies for all attendees. There are five categories to win in including Best Table Design, Best Cookie, 1st Runner Up, 2nd Runner Up, and Best Overall Cookie.
Rotary Club started on March 3rd, 1939 as a way to encourage people to get involved in their community while building goodwill and ethical standards. They hold their meetings every Thursday at 6:00 pm at Twin Pines. At their meetings they discuss upcoming events and what’s happening in the district. The Sergeant at Arms, Joe Esposito, makes sure that everything in the meeting stays related to business. There are about 30 members in the Rotary club, and some members have been in it for over 30 years. The current president of Rotary Club is Kristen Dudley, and she has been a member for over four years. She goes to special meetings where it’s just the presidents of other Rotary clubs from different towns that receive information from the International Rotary Club. So that they can share that information to the next meeting.
People do not need to be from East Haven to join East Haven Rotary Club. There is an annual fee members have to pay to raise more money for upcoming fundraisers. Lately, they are planning their 85th anniversary this upcoming year. As well as building an interactive club here at EHHS. You can visit their website at easthavenrotary.org to follow up on updates from them.
