WELCOME to the newsletter of the Rotary Club of Livonia AM. Our club meets weekly to socialize, discuss the needs of our community and the world around us, and take action to address those needs. Please consider visiting our club or joining us on a service project.

All Are Welcome!

Meeting Notice and Club News

Rotary Winter Break

January 27, 2026

Reminder: Join Us Next Tuesday

Are you ready for a fun night out with your rotary friends? Join the Rotary clubs of Livonia, Livonia AM, and Garden City for a Winter Break social outing at the Italian-American Club of Livonia on Tuesday, January 27th, at 6:00 PM.

No speeches, no awards, no agenda, just Bocce, a Cash Bar, Brick Oven Pizza, and a good time with friends.

No cost to attend other than what you order from the menu. RSVP's are not necessary. Please bring your significant other, family, or friends.

Member News

Club Meeting Featuring, Veronica Cruz, Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families

January 14, 2026

Our meeting began with a meditative thought from Victoria Haltom. Part of the thought follows: "Tomorrow evening, just check, just look at those 24 hours, ask yourself, am I a little bit better than yesterday? By the end of the day, you must be a little more joyful, a little more enhanced, a little better." This will not work as a goal - it is better to look at it in retrospect.

RYLA will be coming soon, and the club needs to see if our Interact students would like to nominate a student for leadership training. President Nancy will contact Claude Kendick and Reverend Dave to see if they can get Interact Students to join.

The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy is very concerned about a huge area of untouched land, Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve. This land is now for sale, and the conservatory would like to purchase it.

The Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser results are in, and the bills have been paid. Huge success!

Rotary Park Update: John Pastor Construction will build the new shelter. Hopefully, the start date will be the end of March, after the land has been tested. The city is not giving any money for this project. They did pay for the demolition of the shelters and the construction drawings. Nancy said no one has seen the final plans yet. We are finished with fundraising for the project either way.

Our speaker today was Veronica Cruz, President, Breaking Barriers for Kids and Families.

Breaking Barriers provides year-round access to essential items and nutritious food for qualifying families. Their initiative centers on seven strategically located food pantries, ensuring support is within reach for those who need it.

Veronica mentioned that Garfield School serves students aged 18 to 26 years. Across the hall from the school's greenhouse will be a clothing depot. If you have clothes, infant to adult, to donate, you can drop them off at the school. Just open the front door, and there is a donation box. The food pantry is a choice pantry, so families can pick out the food they want.

They got seed money for a large box truck that they can drive around the city to deliver food. This truck is in the works.

The meeting ended with Greg Greene’s "things you don’t hear anymore."

Susan Paluchniak

Upcoming Club Meetings

01/21/2026 - Ted Davis, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation at City of Livonia, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

01/28/2026 - Dan West, President/ CEO, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce, Invocation by Bob Carris, Board Meeting to Follow.

02/04/2026 - Club Assembly, Invocation by Greg Greene.

02/11/2026 - Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington, Invocation by Mike Ladwig.

02/18/2026 - Aarica Smith, Director of Goverment Affairs for the City of Livonia, Invocation by Victoria Haltom.

02/25/2026 - Steve Speitzer, Community Organizer, Invocation by Rev. David Stechholz.

Join Us

VISIT OUR CLUB IN PERSON

We meet at the new
Livonia Senior Wellness Center

32001 Five Mile Road

Livonia, MI 48154

Every Wednesday, 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

All Are Welcome!

Visitors and friends are encouraged to sign on and participate. Please introduce yourself to the group when recognized at the start of the meeting.

Upcoming Events

01/22/2026 - The Power of Thought: Critical Thinking as a Pathway to Peace, virtual presentation, Rotary Action Group For Peace (RAGFP) 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Zoom link be sent after registration, Details HERE.

01/27/2026 - Social Outing with the Livonia Noon Club and the Garden City Club, at the Italian American Club on Five Mile, at 6:00 PM. Bocce, Cash Bar, Brick Oven Pizza. Family and friends are welcome.

02/17/2026 - How Empathy is Part of a Path to Peace, In-Person and Zoom, Rotary Action Group For Peace (RAGFP), Henry Ford College, 4:00 - 7:00 PM, Register HERE.

02/24/2026 - Special Online - Peace Begins at Home International Mega Meeting, 9:30 PM, Register HERE.

03/02/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #1, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

03/12/2026 - Grant Management Seminar #2, via Zoom, 7:00-8:30 PM. Once you register, you will receive a meeting link. Register HERE.

05/01/2026 - District Conference at the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Registration Details HERE.

Upcoming Committee Meetings

03/16/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

06/15/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.

09/21/2026 - Giving Committee Meeting via Zoom, 6:00 PM.