%20STAR.jpg)
Service Above Self
Newark STAR Rotary (NSR) makes every effort to work on or complete at least one service project per month that relates to at least one of the Seven Pillars of Rotary: promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; saving mothers and children; supporting education; growing local economies; and protecting the environment.
September 2024 -- Forest Restoration Team
The Forest Restoration Team works year-round to remove a variety of invasive plants from the Judge Morris Estate site at White Clay Creek State Park. The work ranges from easy hand-pulling of small plants to removal of large shrubs and trees, to cutting and piling plant debris. The volunteer group has been working at this site in White Clay Creek State Park for seven years to restore the forest's biodiversity. They meet every Thursday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at the Judge Morris Estate Parking Lot, 110 Polly Drummond Hill Rd.
July 2024 -- Collection for Afghan Students
On July 27th, we gathered at a member's home to gather supplies to donate to 15 resettled Afghan women who are attending university at the University of Delaware.
May 2024 -- St. Johns Cemetery Project
On May 11th, we were back as St. John's cemetery to finish our clean-up project. This grant funded project has allowed us to weed, cut back overgrown plants, and restore headstones. In April, we worked to plant some native gardens and get some tree branch work done.
March 2024 -- Newark Trail Clean-up
On March 16th, we gathered to clean-up a section of the Pomeroy Trail in Newark. The city of Newark has beautiful trails and parks and it is always a pleasure help keep them clean for our community and our local wildlife. Follow the link below to find a park or a trail near you!
February 2024 -- Newark Free Library Book Sale
NSR Members partnered with the Friends of the Newark Free Library to operate a fill-a-bag book sale to raise money for their capital campaign. The Friends of the Newark Free Library is a non-profit organization that provides volunteer and financial support to the Newark Free Library to enhance its ability to serve our community. Learn more about the Friends of the Newark Free Library at the link below.
January 2024 -- Plumpton Park Zoo
NSR members gathered to make enrichment toys for the animals at the Plumpton Park Zoo. Every year, many volunteers donate countless hours of time and effort to fulfill the zoo’s mission of education, conservation, and recreation. Volunteers help with everything “Zoo,” from education and special events to horticulture and animal care. The zoo offers volunteer positions for people with all types of schedules and interests. Learn more about the Plumpton Park Zoo at the link below.
December 2023 -- NAWC Holiday Food Drive
NSR members helped out with the Newark Area Welfare Committee's Annual holiday food drive to provide families in our community with all of their holiday needs and staples.
In cooperation with community partners, NAWC is committed to being a trusted resource that establishes and supports diverse programs to provide the services for our neighbors that are in need.
To meet this challenge, they strive to identify new initiatives that will extend their reach and effectiveness.
November 2023 -- Dream Center
NSR members revisited the Dream Center to pack boxes for families in need.
The purpose of the Delaware Regional Dream Center is to provide community outreach to individuals by coordinating services and/or referrals that fulfill life’s basic necessities. Thus, motivating those individuals to achieve a more fulfilled standard of living. They create, develop and sustain programs to address our community’s needs. Learn more about the Delaware Dream Center at the link below.
October 2023 -- Stocking for Soldiers
NSR members gathered to support, Stocking for Soldiers, by collecting donations and assembling bags of Snowman Soup.
Fun was had by all as we ate, drank, and worked diligently to achieve our goal of 400 bags.
Through our commitment to success, this goal was easily achieved and next year we are setting a new goal of 800 bags!
Donations included non-perishable food items, books, cash, and beautiful homemade Christmas stockings.
Next year, NSR members look forward to increasing our contributions to our soldiers.
More information about Stocking for Soldiers can be found at their site - Stockings For Soldiers
July, August, September 2023 -- St. John's Cemetary Clean-up
There are many headstones due to weathering over the years which have become indecipherable, but of the 116 memorials confirmed with matching records, the oldest belongs to Sara E. Smith’s, September, 1824 -June 28, 1891.
Experts in the field of installing monuments have estimated 50 fallen or sunken monuments which will need to have new foundations made to properly support them for many more years.
The ultimate goal for Newark Star Rotary, clean and where possible, re-etch headstones, install multiple meditation benches, and a meditation garden.
June 2023 -- Special Olympics Cheer Squad
NSR members joined with other community members to cheer-on Special Olympians during the opening ceremony of the 52nd-annual Delaware Summer Games. It was a fun and moving experience to watch the excitement and anticipation of each athlete as they entered the arena to kick-off the games.
May 2023 -- SL24's Light the Night 5K
NSR joined SL24 for their annual Light the Night 5K to hand out pretzels and water to the runners after the race. The 5K benefits Sean's House, a free mental health resource for young adults in the Newark community.
April 2023 -- Earth Day Community Clean-up
In partnership with Newark Parks and Rec and Newark Natural Foods, we spend our Earth Day weekend cleaning-up our community. For three days, we worked our way from Otts Chapel Rd down Sandy Drive to the Christina Creek.
February 2023 -- Souper Bowl Soup Drive
We collected over 100 cans for the Food Bank of Delaware Souperbowl with boxes at the UD STAR Campus Health Service building and Newark Natural Foods