Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary celebrates service at Annual Changeover
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The Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia recently gathered at Rotunda Acres in Fredonia to celebrate another successful year of service and officially welcome new leadership during its annual Rotary Club Changeover.
The evening recognized the dedication of outgoing President Leslie Wille, whose leadership guided the club through a year of exceptional achievement while honoring the many Rotarians whose commitment to Service Above Self continues to strengthen the communities of Northern Chautauqua County.
The ceremonial passing of the gavel officially welcomed Dave Dengler as President for the 2026-2027 Rotary year.
In his remarks, Dengler thanked Wille for her commitment to Rotary and her strong leadership which guided the Club and its members for over one year. Dengler also welcomed the club’s newest members -- Debbie Ferrar, Margie Wright, and Erin Zinni -- and thanked Youth Exchange host families Daniel and Victoria Siracuse and Josiah and Erin Lamb for opening their homes to Pietro, an inbound exchange student. He also recognized Diane Hannum for her continued dedication as Club Chair of Youth Exchange and Past District Governor Charlotte Herlong for her continued support and presence with the Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia.
Wille began the evening by recognizing Dr. Joseph Powell, the club’s longest-serving Rotarian, who has been a member since December 18, 1969. Dr. Powell and his wife were honored for inspiring generations of their family through Rotary’s ideals of service, leadership, youth exchange, and community involvement.
Past Assistant Governor Michele Starwalt-Woods offered the Invocation, noting that while Rotary is neither a faith-based nor political organization, the beliefs of every individual are honored, differences are respected, and all attendees were invited to give thanks and ask for blessings in their own personal way.
Following a buffet dinner and desserts, Wille highlighted the club’s accomplishments during the 2025-2026 Rotary year, including exceeding the Rotary Foundation giving goal by 118%, making the club’s contribution its highest annual donation in more than six years. Rotary also achieved strong member participation goals for service projects; achieved or exceeded goals for fundraisers and community events; and met or surpassed its goals for new membership, PolioPlus giving, Youth Exchange, leadership development, social activities, and online engagement.
Wille also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the club’s Board of Directors, committee chairs, volunteers, and every member whose countless hours of service helped make the year a tremendous success.
Looking ahead, incoming Dengler shared his vision for the coming 2026-2027 Rotary year, which includes expanding community service projects, continuing the club’s proud tradition of international Youth Exchange, reintroducing Fifth Thursday social gatherings, and hosting the yearly Paul Harris Fellow Honor Evening in the spring to recognize Rotarians and local Service Above Self leaders. Rotary will also be celebrating two landmark milestones this upcoming year -- the 60th Annual Fly-In Breakfast and the 100th anniversary of Rotary in the Dunkirk-Fredonia area.
The Rotary Club also extended its sincere appreciation to the evening’s generous sponsors, including Krista Campano with The Catering Company WNY; Magdalena Dye with Cattaraugus County Bank; and David and Alison Dengler with Larson-Timko Funeral Home.
The Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia welcomes community members interested in fellowship, networking, and service. Through local projects, scholarships, youth programs, and international humanitarian efforts, the club remains committed to improving lives while living Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self.
The club meets at noon on the first and third Thursdays of each month and features guest speakers on topics including community service, agency services, education, manufacturing, industry, small business, and other issues impacting the region.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Dunkirk-Fredonia, membership opportunities, or upcoming service projects, visit dunkirkfredoniarotary.org, email dunkirkfredoniarotaryclub@gmail.com, or send a private message through the club’s Dunkirk-Fredonia Rotary Facebook page.