- Honoring Our Heroes: York Rotary recognized our Veterans
- Holiday Giving in Action
- Building Hope in York County: Nancy Lowenberg of Habitat for Humanity
Rotary Recap November 6, 2026
Our Friday morning meeting was filled with gratitude, generosity, and a shared commitment to making our community a better place. President Darcy opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and York Rotary's 6-Way Test before taking a moment to recognize our veterans in honor of the upcoming Veterans Day holiday. Members who have served our country were thanked for their service and sacrifice, with discussion of a future special recognition.
Giving Back This Holiday Season
With the holidays approaching, York Rotary is gearing up to spread some extra kindness! Members were reminded of this month's collection for Gather's Pease & Carrots program, with donations being accepted at Darcy's office or Susan's vestibule. Kindness Dollars collected during the meeting will also support this important effort.
Plans are also underway for our annual holiday gift card program, supporting families attending the December 15 Community Supper. Last year, 75 families received $25 gift cards. With even more families expected this year, the Club hopes to provide grocery bags containing $50 gift cards, with additional assistance for larger families. Members will come together in December to prepare the cards and bags for distribution.
A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way
As always, our Kindness Dollars brought smiles, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Members celebrated birthdays, family milestones, and the welcome end of election commercials! Pauline shared a touching remembrance of her brother, who lost his life during World War II and is buried in Normandy. We also enjoyed a silly round of "Happy Birthday", in true York Rotary fashion, for Jackie, who is celebrating a milestone birthday next week!
Building Homes, Community, and Hope
Our guest speaker was Nancy Lowenberg, the Director of Development & Community Relations of Habitat for Humanity of York County, who shared the organization's mission and the growing need for affordable housing in our area.
With 30 years of nonprofit experience, including many years with York Land Trust, Nancy brought both knowledge and passion to the conversation. Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, and the York County organization has built 41 homes since 1985!
Nancy explained how Habitat is embracing modular construction, allowing the organization to potentially build four homes annually rather than just one through traditional construction. Current projects include five affordable homes in Sanford's Island Avenue subdivision, with future plans for a duplex in Kittery and hopes of finding suitable land in York.
She also highlighted Habitat's Aging in Place program, which helps older residents remain safely in their homes by providing improvements such as grab bars and storm doors. Thanks to a grant from Kennebunk Savings, the program expects to assist 50 families this year.
Nancy encouraged everyone to consider supporting Habitat through volunteering, financial contributions, shopping at ReStore, or even donating an unwanted vehicle. There may also be opportunities for Rotary Clubs to partner on future housing projects!
To learn about this great organization, please visit their website at https://www.habitatyorkcounty.org/
Before closing the meeting at 8:23 a.m., President Darcy left everyone with a simple but meaningful reminder:
"Be the good in the world!"
And that's exactly what York Rotary continues to do, one act of kindness at a time.