Welcome to Allentown West Rotary! 
Western Lehigh County    Club No. 5415     District No. 7430      Zone 32
 
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 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.
 
We’re glad you stopped by; we’re proud of our club and how we serve our local and international communities. On this website, you’ll learn a little bit about what we do, but the best way to learn about us is to see for yourself. We invite you to join us at any meeting or service project to learn more. Be our guest! 
 
Allentown West Rotary focuses on two main areas locally: food insecurity and building a better future by developing our youth through education and leadership opportunities. We invite you to learn a little more about us and what we do by viewing our service projects.

Our Service Projects

Allentown West Rotary Club is a community service organization that serves the Lehigh Valley and far beyond. But, beyond the satisfaction of service is the fellowship that comes from a worldwide organization that, despite cultural differences, delivers a sense of belonging to a community dedicated to bettering our world. See how we strive to make a difference.

View our Service Projects

The forty-five STEM YEA campers experienced intensive learning in an air of collaboration and mutual respect.
STEM YEA Builds on Success

Our second STEM YEA camp took place at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania this year, with 45 students who might not otherwise have had such an opportunity. As it was last year, it was a great event to witness for many reasons. First was the teaching staff; it was great to watch their deep engagement with the students individually and collectively. The focus seemed to engage the critical thinking of the students, whatever the activity was. Watching the care, thought, and expertise of the educators was uplifting.
 
The kids themselves were kind, respectful, and came together as a group almost immediately through team-building exercises. Seeing the effort made in group problem-solving was excellent—an integral part of the scientific process. This year the kids were given lab coats by STEM YEA Chair Rolf Schlake, which were a big hit; we noted that many wore them constantly. A neat psychological way to put it in a young mind that such a future could be possible, along with talking to some of the great interns and teachers and professors who have made the journey through education themselves.
 
Rotarians attended the camp as well, 53 of whom served as volunteers. Four District Governors and one DG-elect attended the Project Building Sessions or the celebration dinner. It was indeed a great district-wide effort, with nineteen clubs having sponsored students. There were two Rotary sessions as part of the camp to educate the campers in Rotary values.
 
This is a great event to be a volunteer; anyone who has done so in the last two years would surely say the same.
The 21|21 Initiative

Mongolia Night a Resounding Success

The Objective of the 21|21 Initiative is to locate 21 service clubs in the US to partner with Friends of Mongolia (FOM) in providing a full-tuition scholarship to a student from every province in Mongolia by the 2025-2026 academic year. It’s an achievable goal for us and our potential partners at just $1,400 per year/student.
 

Our fundraiser for the program took place at the home of two of our co-presidents this year, thanks to Gary Englehardt and Gwenn Carr for opening their home for the event, which saw a presentation by Ariel Wycoff of the U.S. Department of State (shown at top), who also is a board member of Friends of Mongolia, and traveled from Washington DC to attend the event.

There was a silent auction that brought in valuable funds for the cause, along with very generous donations.

Also present at the event was Batshur (Shuree) Gootiiz, Tech Product Manager at PWC, shown at lower right with Gwenn Carr. Her story sure demonstrates how helping a Mongolian has a ripple effect, today she has her own girls STEM fund in Mongolia, her nieces recently volunteered at STEM YEA, paying it forward as so often happens.

We also heard from the amazing Nick Millward, via zoom. Nick is a peace fellow having secured a grant a grant from the Rotary Foundation. All of this was Nick's brainchild, and he has been a tireless advocate for the program in Australia and Mongolia. It was a pleasure to meet Nick's parents at the event also.

The bottom line for this event was that we met and far exceeded our goal to raise enough to sponsor a student. Instead of the hoped for $1,400 the event netted $7,564.01 which can also help with essentials such as computers, books and related items.

Our plan is to partner with other Rotary Clubs to make this very achievable goal a reality. Will you join us?

Co-President Herb Klotz and Ron Coleman help out at the Food Bank at Kingdom Life Family Center.

The Food Bank at Kingdom Life Family Center distributes healthy food to an ever-increasing number of families in the Lehigh Valley. In recent times, the distribution has reached over 300 families in need. Given the increasing scale of the work involved, more volunteers are needed to help set up, help with the distribution, and help tear down.
 
Volunteering is a fulfilling way of providing service to those most in need. Let's see how many Rotarians we can send to be of service.

Donate & Happy $ to Allentown West Rotary Foundation
Speakers
Presidential Committee
Oct 11, 2023 7:30 AM
Allentown West Rotary Club Assembly
Jean Machamer
Oct 25, 2023 8:30 AM
Northwestern Lehigh Interact Club breakfast
Vicky Kistler, MEd, DCED Allentown
Nov 08, 2023 7:30 AM
Challenges facing the City of Allentown
District 7430 Governor Diane Donaher
Nov 22, 2023 7:30 AM
2023-2024 District Governor's goals
Mike Scott
Dec 13, 2023 7:30 AM
District 7430 Rotaplast Mission to Columbia
Presidential Committee
Jan 10, 2024 7:30 AM
Allentown West Rotary Club Assembly
Marty Peak Hellman, Rotary International Trustee
Jan 24, 2024 7:30 AM
The RI Foundation
Club Information
Allentown West

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Cedar Crest College, Tompkin's Conference Center
Adminstration Circle
Allentown, PA 18104
United States of America
We meet in person on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays. Elevator is available. Park in LOT C. Flex meetings/dining out first week of each month TBD, see calendar.
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Upcoming Events
Oct 07, 2023
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Donors honored at 2023 Rotary International Convention

Donors honored at 2023 Rotary International

Rotary-USAID Partnership amplifies complementary strengths

Rotary-USAID Partnership amplifies complementary

When it comes to fundraising Interactors are crushing it

Interactors have proven themselves to be successful fundraisers for The Rotary Foundation through a wide range of youth-led events.

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The Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness is one of the first cause-based Rotary clubs to focus on mental health and wellness. It meets online and welcomes members to join from anywhere in the world.

Scotsman will take office as president of Rotary International on 1 July

Scotsman will take office as president of Rotary International on 1 JulySecond Scot to lead the membership service organization will focus on mental healthEVANSTON,