North Reading Rotarians serve Veterans.

North Reading Rotary Club has been a staple in the community for more than 50 years, but many residents don’t really know what they do. The local service club is involved in numerous civic events, and for example they recently made a substantial financial contribution to the New England Center and Home for Veterans (NECHV) in Boston, at which time they were able to visit with the residents as they served them lunch.

Longtime Rotarian and newly installed President Dave O’Neil said “We owe so much to our vets. This is just a small way of saying that we appreciate all of their service and the sacrifices that they made.”

According to North Reading Rotary Past President Eric Evans “NECHV supports Veterans with innovative services that enable success, meaningful employment, and dignified independent living, and we are proud to assist in this most worthwhile cause.”

NECHV is a national leader in housing and serving Veterans who are at-risk of homelessness. Located in Downtown Boston and offering services throughout the region, 250 Veterans reside at NECHV each night. Each year, NECHV serves over 100,000 resident meals. 450 Veterans complete NECHV training programs each year. More than 400 Veterans find permanent homes through NECHV each year.

NECHVs open 24/7 every day of the year, serving Veterans. It serves over 350 Veterans each day.The downtown Boston facility contains 60 affordable apartments, a distinct and separate 24 bed female Veterans transitional dormitory, and over 185 transitional and emergency beds

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

On the larger scale Rotary is 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Longtime Rotarian and Past President reminds residents of the All Night Party that Rotary provided for decades, offering a safe environment for graduating seniors on graduation night. In addition, North Reading Rotary has completed many other local service projects including conductiong food drives for the North Reading Food Pantry providing new refrigeration and freezer units, many scholarships, and recently installing a beautiful patio area for the Peabody Court Housing residents plus numerous other causes over the years.

As times have changed, so has Rotary. North Reading Rotary has new levels of membership which allow flexible attendance policies rather than the stringent policies of the past. Membership in Rotary allows members to be involved in as many service projects locally and globally that thier time and schedules allow.

If you, or anyone ou know would like to participate in Rotary Club they meet Wednesdays for their lunch meetings at Kitty’s. For more information on Rotary in general, you can contact President Dave O’Neil at Century 21 978-664-2100 or on his cell at 617-803-1359.