Recent News
2026 Meat Raffle
2026 Meat Raffle

Join the Rotary Club of Batavia for an evening of fun and prize! Your $15 ticket includes beer, wine, and soda. There will be door prizes, a basket raffle, and plenty of meat prizes to win. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks for their table and a cooler to take home their winnings! For tickets and info, visit www.bataviarotary.com.

Doors Open at 5PM

First Drawing is at 6PM

Tickets Available Here! 

Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America

Rotarians Honor Veterans During Wreaths Across America Ceremony

On a snowy, wintery day, Batavia Rotarians came together in the true spirit of service to participate in Wreaths Across America at the Western New York National Cemetery, honoring both loved ones and those who bravely served our nation. Despite the cold temperatures and falling snow, the atmosphere was filled with warmth, gratitude, and a shared sense of purpose.
 
Volunteers gathered to lay wreaths at gravesites, pausing to reflect on the sacrifices made by veterans and the families who carry their legacy forward. Many Rotarians took special care to place wreaths at the resting places of loved ones, while also honoring countless service members whose dedication and courage helped preserve our freedoms.
 
Though winter weather blanketed the cemetery in snow, it did little to dampen spirits. Smiles, quiet conversations, and moments of reflection underscored the meaning of the day. The sight of evergreen wreaths resting against white headstones served as a powerful reminder that remembrance endures in every season.
 
Participation in Wreaths Across America reflects Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self, reminding us that honoring those who served is a responsibility shared by all. The dedication shown by Rotarians on this cold winter day ensured that the memories of our veterans remain evergreen—now and always.
Batavia Rotary Welcomes Byron Brown
Batavia Rotary Welcomes Byron Brown

Weekly Program: Byron Brown, CEO of WROTB

Batavia Rotary welcomed Byron Brown, former Mayor of Buffalo and current President and CEO of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation (WROTB), as this week’s program speaker. Brown began his remarks by thanking Batavia Rotary for the many ways our club supports the local community.
 
Brown shared his long-standing connection to Rotary, noting that he participated in Rotary’s Young Professionals Study Exchange in Central America in 1990. He added with a smile that he would gladly volunteer for an “Old Professionals” exchange if the opportunity ever arises.
 
WROTB is a public benefit corporation jointly owned by 17 municipalities across Western New York. Since joining the organization about a year ago, Brown said 2025 has been a year of exceptional growth, reform, and strong revenues. He noted that approximately $10 million is expected to be distributed to member municipalities by year’s end, with Genesee County already receiving $173,000.
 
Brown also highlighted increased patronage from both Genesee County and Erie County, WROTB’s contributions to education, and the many local organizations supported throughout the region. With 440 employees, WROTB is the fifth-largest employer in Genesee County.
 
Looking ahead to 2026, Brown shared WROTB’s continued focus on growing returns for its member municipalities, with the top priority being expansion, including plans to build a state-of-the-art conference and event center.
 
Read more about Byron Brown’s visit  The Batavian News Article and The Daily News Article
 
Annual Polio Auction
Annual Polio Auction

Batavia Rotary Polio Plus Auction Success!

Our Batavia Rotary Polio Plus Auction November 11th was an outstanding success — together, we raised $7,650 in support of Rotary’s fight to end polio worldwide!
 
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated and contributed so generously. At the recent District Conference, we were reminded that each polio vaccination costs $1 for the vaccine plus $2 for research, transportation, and delivery to reach unvaccinated children. With the Gates Foundation’s 2-to-1 match, our club’s efforts last week will help vaccinate an incredible 7,650 children against polio.
 
Our yearly Polio Plus Auction is always a highlight of the Rotary calendar — and much of that is thanks to Todd Jantzi of Bontrager Auction Group. Todd has been running our auction for years, bringing his trademark energy, humor, and heart, making the event truly unforgettable. We are deeply grateful for his continued partnership in this meaningful mission.
 
Thank you, Batavia Rotarians, for your dedication and impact in helping eradicate polio.
Batavia Rotary Composting Program
Batavia Rotary Composting Program

Eli Fish Launches Composting Program with Batavia Rotary

The Rotary Club of Batavia and Eli Fish Brewing Company are joining forces to make a greener impact on the community through a new food composting initiative launching October 27. The program is designed to reduce waste, protect the environment, and inspire other local businesses to adopt sustainable practices.
 
Under the new partnership, EcoVerde Organics LLC of Akron will collect food scraps from Eli Fish Brewing Company. Instead of heading to a landfill, these materials will be transformed into nutrient-rich compost used to enrich local soil and promote sustainable agriculture. To ensure the program’s success, Eli Fish staff will receive training on proper composting procedures—learning what materials can be composted and how to separate them effectively.
 
This effort is made possible through financial support from the Rotary Club of Batavia and Rotary District 7090. Each year, Batavia Rotary funds a community service project selected by the club president. For 2025, President Lynn VanDerBeck chose to focus on an environmental initiative that promotes sustainability and community education.
 
The Batavia Rotary is thrilled to partner with Eli Fish owner Matty Gray and his team to take meaningful action for our planet right here in Batavia.   This project not only keeps organic waste out of landfills but also demonstrates how small changes in business practices can make a big environmental difference.
 
Through this collaboration, the Rotary Club of Batavia continues its mission of “Service Above Self,” combining community spirit, environmental responsibility, and local partnership to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for Genesee County and beyond.
Celebrating Fellow Rotarian
Celebrating Fellow Rotarian

Celebrating Fellow Rotarian Dan Fischer

The Batavia Rotary Club is proud to celebrate our fellow Rotarian, Dan Fischer, on his induction into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. Dan is the very first honoree in the newly created Western New York Broadcaster category, a recognition of his outstanding career and lifelong dedication to community-centered journalism.
From his early days as a radio journalist to his decades of leadership at WBTA in Batavia, Dan has exemplified the values of integrity, service, and commitment to community. Alongside his wife, Debbie, Dan has supported countless local initiatives and embodied Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
 
Please join us in congratulating Dan on this well-deserved honor and celebrating his lasting impact on both broadcasting and our community.
 
2026 Corvette Raffle
2026 Corvette Raffle
2026 Corvette Raffle – Rotary Club of Batavia, NY
 
Enter for your chance to win a 2026 Corvette or $60,000 cash in the Rotary Club of Batavia’s annual raffle!
 
Tickets are $50 each, 3 for $125, or 4 for $150. Only 4,500 tickets will be sold.
 
The grand prize drawing will be held January 16, 2026, live on Facebook. In addition to the grand prize, 10 prizes of $500 will also be awarded.
🎉 Don’t forget our Early Bird Drawings for $500 each:
  • October 21, 2025 (tickets purchased by Sept 30)
  • November 18, 2025 (tickets purchased by Oct 31)
  • December 16, 2025 (tickets purchased by Nov 30)
📲 Purchase your tickets now at BataviaRotaryRaffle.com
 
Proceeds benefit the Batavia Rotary Memorial Fund, helping us support vital community projects.
2025 Rotary Scholarship & Grant Winners
2025 Rotary Scholarship & Grant Winners

Congratulations to Our 2025 Batavia Rotary Scholarship & Grant Winners!

The Batavia Rotary Club is proud to recognize and celebrate this year’s outstanding Scholarship and Grant recipients: Jireth Anas Diaz, Anna Panepento, Ava Wierda, and Ben Pritchett
 
These exceptional students have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to service—qualities that reflect the very spirit of Rotary. We are honored to support their educational journeys and look forward to the bright futures they will undoubtedly create.
 
👏 Congratulations, Jireth, Anna, Ava, and Ben! Your hard work and dedication have truly set you apart.
2025 Paul Harris Award Winners
2025 Paul Harris Award Winners

Paul Harris Fellows Honored

At our Annual Club Dinner, we proudly celebrated the remarkable dedication and generosity of our fellow Rotarians with the presentation of the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Awards.

Past President Paul Saskowski shared the legacy behind the Paul Harris Award, named in honor of Rotary’s founder. There are two pathways to this recognition: through annual giving to Rotary International or through exceptional service to the club and community.
 
We are thrilled to congratulate the following recipients of PHF awards for annual giving: Gregg McAllister, Donna Saskowski, Chris White, Paul Battaglia, and Paul Saskowski.
 
Past President Donna Saskowski also highlighted impressive milestones in perfect attendance and years of service. Together, the members in attendance represented a staggering 833 years of combined service—a true testament to the commitment and knowledge within our club! 
 
The following members were honored with PHF awards for outstanding service: Lisa Ormsbee, Julia Rogers, Mark Snyder, Fran Marchese, Ed Leising, and Mike Hodgins.
 
Finally, a Special Recognition Award was presented to community member Todd Sloat for his exceptional contributions beyond the club.
 
Congratulations to all our honorees! Your passion for service and dedication to Rotary values continue to inspire us all.
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