Help spread warmth this winter! The Ithaca Rotary Club’s 33rd annual Share the Warmth campaign is now underway, collecting new and gently used winter clothing across Tompkins County through November 24. Find a red collection bin near you and make a difference for neighbors in need this season.
If you’d like to help remove the unsightly trash that collects along Route 13, join the Ithaca Rotary Club for its semiannual highway cleanup from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th.
The 12th Annual Ithaca Rotary Road Rally is set for Sunday, September 7, 2025, starting at Maguire Imports. Teams follow clues on a 30-mile scenic route, solving riddles, collecting items, and taking photos before finishing at a mystery location by 4 PM. Prizes include grants to local nonprofits and awards for team spirit. Open to all, proceeds support the James L. Gibbs Scholarship Fund and local youth programs. Register online and enjoy a fun, community-driven adventure!
The Rotary Club of Ithaca awarded $14,798 in grants to 11 local nonprofits through its 2025 Community Grants program, supporting projects that improve quality of life in Tompkins County. Chosen from 41 applications, funded initiatives include water testing, food assistance, youth support, outdoor improvements, and community resources. Applications open each June, with a focus on small local organizations.
Ukrainian band Kommuna Lux returns to Ithaca on Tuesday, September 2, for a benefit at the First Unitarian Society. Known for their electrifying fusion of klezmer, swing, and Odessa folk, the band and the Ithaca Rotary Club will be raising money for a project called Playground of Hope: Supporting the Families of Odesa Emergency Rescuers to upgrade a playground in Odesa, Ukraine that is used by children of the Special Emergency Rescue Squad in the Odesa Region, which is where Kommuna Lux was formed. Tickets are $20 through August 15 ($25 after). Hosted by the Rotary Club of Ithaca, this powerful evening promises unforgettable music and a chance to make a real difference.
The Rotary Club of Ithaca invites proposals for its 2025–26 International Service Peacebuilding Grants, supporting small-scale projects outside the U.S. that address global issues through one or more of Rotary’s Areas of Focus. Projects must include a peacebuilding component, be sustainable, have measurable outcomes, and involve local or Rotary partnerships. Grants range from $2,000–$5,000. Applications are due by 5pm ET on September 15, 2025.
Ithaca, NY 14850
United States of America