Stories

Operation Stay Warm is a seasonal initiative created by Southington Community Services that provides free winter clothing to residents in need. It is located at the Plantsville Congregational Church and is stocked with donated winter clothing.  Coats, hats, gloves and scarfs are some of the items our residents can get there.  All items are free to anyone who needs them, with no proof of income or residency required.  Today Southington Rotarians volunteered in the Clothing Shop and together we distributed 35 coats to 12 families in need. 

If you are interested in volunteering in our community and helping with projects such as these, please contact Melissa Cocuzza at 860-620-4700 for more information.

Southington Rotary, along with twenty-five other Rotary Clubs in northern CT and Western MA (Rotary District 7890) have joined together to fund a project that will bring fresh drinking water, sanitation facilities and hygiene training to a needy Mayan community in Guatemala.  Including matching funds from The Rotary Foundation and those contributed to ALDEA, the Cooperating Partner NGO, a total of $176,486 was raised.  Adding this amount to the funds raised during the previous sixteen years brings the total to $1,856,900.

These funds will pay for the materials needed to complete a gravity fed water system with gray water filters, vented pit latrines, improved vented stoves for the 115 families (725 people) who live in the rural community of Xecoxol, Guatemala.  All labor is provided by the men and women in each village. These projects continue the goal of Rotary International to have every Rotary Club support an international water and sanitation project every year.  By working together, pooling their resources, and obtaining Global Grants with matching funds from The Rotary Foundation, the Rotarians have been successful in adding size and strength to their chosen projects. 

District 7890 Water Committee Chair and Manchester, CT Rotarian Rick Lawrence again spearheaded the drive to raise the necessary funds by making presentations about the project to the Rotary clubs throughout northern CT, western MA, and central RI as well as several clubs in southeastern FL.  The project’s implementation will be coordinated through the host partner, the Rotary Club of La Antigua, Guatemala, and its cooperating partner, ALDEA (formerly Behrhorst Partners for Development), a non-profit organization with ties to over 95 communities in Guatemala.

This Rotary Global Grant project will help address some of the basic causes of poor health and will help the villagers address basic sanitation – water systems, gray-water filters and latrines – in order to help prevent the constant illnesses that afflict the population, particularly children. 

On Sunday, August 31st, the Rotary Club of Southington proudly stood alongside our local troops during their deployment, offering heartfelt support and gratitude through thoughtfully prepared deployment gift bags. Each bag was a small token of appreciation, filled with essentials and messages of encouragement to remind them that their community stands firmly behind them. 

“We want every service member to know they’re not alone—we’re here, we care, and we’re grateful,” said Rotary member Charlie Cocuzza. We deeply value the service and sacrifice of these brave individuals and remain committed to supporting them and their families in every way we can. Rotary’s mission of service above self shines brightest when we come together to honor those who serve.

The Rotary Club of Southington recently partnered with Southington Community Services to support local students from grades 1 through 12 as they returned to school. Thanks to a remarkable grassroots fundraiser called Backflips for Backpacks, led by the 11-year-old daughter of one of our Rotarians, we were able to fill over 150 donated backpacks with essential school supplies.

She’s been flipping for a cause for three years now, and her dedication continues to inspire us all. Every child deserves to start the school year feeling prepared and supported, and it was a joy to see our members come together to pack with purpose. Even small gestures can make a big impact in a student’s life.

If you are interested in helping Rotarians give back to our community, please contact melissa@club62.us for more information.

On August 20th, the Rotary Club of Southington hosted the annual William S. Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament—a day filled with sunshine, camaraderie, and community spirit. Thankfully, the rain held off, allowing golfers and supporters to enjoy a beautiful day on the course while raising funds for both local and international Rotary projects. From youth programs to global humanitarian efforts, the proceeds will help us continue making a meaningful impact. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who made the event a success through their generosity and enthusiasm.

IF you're interested in helping organize events such as this, please contact Melissa at melissa@club62.us.

The Rotary Club of Southington is thrilled to welcome Maria Ghiozzi, our exchange student from Rome, Italy. Maria arrived in Southington on August 20th, and will be spending her senior year at Southington High School, graduating with the Class of 2026. It takes remarkable courage and curiosity for a young woman to leave her family and immerse herself in a new culture for an entire year, and we’re honored to be part of her journey through the Rotary Youth Exchange program. 

If you're a Sophomore or Junior at Southington High and interested in exploring the world through this life-changing opportunity, we encourage you to reach out to us; your adventure could start right here!  Please contact Brendan Goodrich at bgoodrich@ionbank.com for more information.

During the showing of the movie Wicked at the Southington Drive-In, the Rotary Club of Southington brought a Golden touch of community spirit and service. Volunteers from the club greeted guests with warm smiles, collected tickets and helped manage parking with precision—all while embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

Their presence added a golden glow to the evening, not just through their cheerful dedication, but by fostering a welcoming atmosphere that made the event feel truly magical. It was a shining example of how local service can elevate a community gathering into something unforgettable.

If you feel the need and would like to join us giving back to our community, please contact Melissa at 860-620-4700 for more information.

District 7890 had their annual Polio fundraiser at Dunkin' Donuts park this past Saturday, August 2nd.  It was a fun time for all the clubs in the District and our Club was well represented.  It culminated with all Rotarians holding the flag on the field during the National Anthem.  Altogether, the district raised $1,220 toward the eradication of Polio.  With that being matched 2 to 1 by the Gates Foundations, the total we contributed was $3,660. A great job and a great fellowship event for all Rotarians involved!