Stories | Rotary Club of Saratoga Springs

Rotary Supports Wellspring’s ONE Campaign

“Service Above Self”, the motto of Rotary International, is about finding ways, big and small to make a difference in the lives of others.

The Saratoga Springs Rotary Club was pleased to support Wellspring’s ONE Campaign at a beautiful evening gathering at Dancing Grain Farm Brewery. The campaign shines a light on relationship abuse and supports Wellspring’s work helping survivors and creating a safer, healthier community.

Set among the sunflower fields at Dancing Grain, the evening brought together community members and Wellspring supporters for food, drinks, live music and an opportunity to learn more about the organization’s important work.

For Rotary, supporting Wellspring is another example of how our club can contribute to important causes in our community. Sometimes making a difference means organizing a major project; other times, it simply means showing up and lending our support.

CNY Rotary Updates: Create Lasting Impact

Posted by Jim Frey on Sep. 01, 2026

Every July, Rotary introduces a new theme to guide us through the coming year. This year's theme, Create Lasting Impact, challenges us to think beyond today's project and tomorrow's meetings…and it’s all about YOU! It's easy to measure success by the number of hot dogs we sold, the dollars we raised, or the volunteer hours we logged. Those are important, but they aren't the whole story.

The real question is: What difference will people still be talking about years from now? A lasting impact might be a scholarship that changes the course of a student's life. It could be helping furnish an apartment for someone starting over, supporting a veteran in need, planting trees that will provide shade for future generations, or mentoring a young person who one day becomes a community leader. Sometimes our greatest impact isn't measured in dollars at all, it's measured in hope and opportunities given. The wonderful thing about Rotary is that lasting impact doesn't require million-dollar projects. It often begins with one member asking, "What if we...?"

What if we adopted a reading program at an elementary school?

What if we created a scholarship that continued for decades?
What if we partnered with another organization or club to tackle a community need that no one group could solve alone?
What if we found a way to make our Veterans Memorial Park even more welcoming?
What if we inspired another person to become a Rotarian who would continue serving long after we're gone?

As we begin this new Rotary year, let's challenge ourselves to think a little bigger, dream a little farther, and ask not just what we can accomplish this month—but what we can begin this year that will still be making a difference ten, twenty, or even fifty years from now. After all, every lasting impact starts with a single idea...and a group of Rotarians willing to turn that idea into reality.

Remember that perhaps the greatest lasting impact isn't the project itself. It's inspiring someone else to serve. Every time a new member catches the Rotary spirit, every time a volunteer discovers the joy of helping, every time a child learns that service matters, Rotary has planted a seed that may grow for generations.

So, what will OUR lasting impact be?

Jim Frey

Area 16 Representative

Rotary at the Saratoga Racecourse

A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who spent Saturday, August 29, staffing a Salvation Army kettle at the Saratoga Racecourse. Their willingness to give back reflects the spirit of Rotary and helps support important community programs and services. A special thank you to Jim Frey for coordinating and organizing this volunteer effort. Your leadership helped make the event a success.