Home Page | Rotary Club of Kingwood

Click photo below to watch a video about our 2025 Kingwood's July 4th Parade.

Rotary is the BEST service organization in the world because we have members just like you! We have different backgrounds and professions that come together to use our skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.

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Why Join Kingwood Rotary?

Our Weekly Dinners Are Each Monday, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

We meet at the Union Kitchen located at 23918 US-59 North, Kingwood TX 77339.

Planning to attend our meeting? Text us at 713-598-7129 since we periodically do a service project or club social in lieu of our regular meeting. We'd love to have you join us!

Click here to visit the website of our home Rotary District 5890 which includes communities in Harris and the seven surrounding counties!

At the recent District 5890 Conference at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, Club President Charlie Buscemi accepted the award from District Governor Nancy Anderson the prestigious award, "Small Rotary Club of the Year!" This was the 4th time we have received this award in our club's 20-year history.

We might be a small Rotary club, but we're mighty! Our remarkable Kingwood Rotarians have made a huge committed to serve our community. We tackle projects of every scale and inspire fellow Rotarians, friends, neighbors, and partners to share our vision, exchange ideas for lasting solutions, and take action to bring those project ideas to life. Come join us!

Below are some of the awards our club has received from the leadership of Rotary District 5890:

- 2025 District 5890 "Small Rotary Club of the Year" Award

- 2023 #1 District 5890 Club in Per Capita Giving to The Rotary Foundation

- 2022 District 5890 “Rotary Club President of the Year – Small Club"

- 2019 District 5890 “Shooting Star” Award

- #1 District 5890 Club in Per Capita Giving to The Rotary Foundation – 2 Years in a Row!

- 2016-2017 The Rotary Foundation’s “District Service Award”

- 2017 Rotary District 5890 "Small Rotary Club of the Year" Award

- 2017 Rotary District 5890 "#1 Club in Membership Percentage Growth" Award

- 2017 Rotary District 5890 "4th Ranking in Overall Membership Growth" Award

- 2016 Rotary District 5890 "Rotary Club President of the Year-Small Club" Award

- 2015 Rotary District 5890 "Rotarian of the Year" Award

- 2014 Rotary District 5890 "EarlyAct FirstKnight Small Rotary Club Sponsor of the Year"

- 2013 Rotary District 5890 "Small Rotary Club of the Year" Award

- 2013 Rotary District 5890 “Club Secretary of the Year” & “100% Attendance Award"

- 2012 District 5890 Governor’s Service Citation Award

- 2011 "District 5890 Rotary Couple of the Year" Award

- 2010 Rotary District 5890 "Small Rotary Club of the Year" Award

- 2010 District 5890 "Rotarian of the Year" Award

- 2010 Interact District 5890 "Rotary Sponsor of the Year" Award

- 2009 "District 5890 "Rotary Gift of Life" Award

- 2008 District 5890 "Rotary Club President of the Year-Small Club" Award

- 2007 District Governor’s Service Citation Award

- 2006 Interact Club "Sponsor of the Year" Award

- Recipient of the "Presidential Citation" from the Presidents of Rotary International for the last 20 consecutive years

Do Something Amazing!

Join Kingwood Rotary - Click here for info

Thank you to everyone that served with us at our October-December community service projects!

Contact Club President Charlie Buscemi if you would like to volunteer at our upcoming projects - Click Here to send him an email

Visit "Kingwood Rotary Club" On FACEBOOK!

Through regular club programs, hands-on service projects, social events, and neighborhood activities, our members learn about the issues that face our communities and then we exchange ideas about how we can take action to help.

We invite you to watch the video below see some of our projects throughout the year.

We are very honored to welcome Yuliia Kovalenko and Taras Tarasenko as guest speakers at our recent club meeting.

Yuliia Kovalenko is a Lawyer, Human Rights Defender, Researcher, Volunteer, Scholar, and Co-founder of the NGO 'Ukraine2.0' and Member of the 'RSU' Association. We look forward to hearing her share her dedication to the Ukrainian people.

Taras Tarasenko is a member of the Ukrainian Parliament so he will discuss his perspective and vision for the future of his country.

Russian invaded their country on February 24, 2022. Like us, the rest of the world watched in horror at this tragedy. What is Rotary's connection to the Ukraine?

What is Rotary doing in the Ukraine?

US$17.4 million from donors around the world and has funded 375 grants that have allowed Rotary members to provide different kinds of help. Over 500 NEW members joined Ukrainian Rotary clubs in Rotary District 2232!

Below are links to articles with information about the many ways Rotarians around the world are helping Ukrainian Rotary clubs:

- Houston Area Rotary Clubs Donations Shipped via Medical Bridges in Houston: Click here for story

- Rotary Podcast: "Why should we care about Russia's war against Ukraine? Click here to listen

- Rotary Responds to Ukraine Crisis: Click here for link

- Rotary in Ukraine is Stronger Two Years After the Invasion - Click here for link

Why talk about our 2025 Kingwood Holiday Decorating Contest in May?

Because funds raised through our 2025 July 4th Parade sponsorships funds this community-wide event with 165 Awards in our 33 Kingwood Villages!

A HUGE "THANK YOU" to Keller Willams Realty Northeast for sponsoring our 2024 Award Signs presented to each of the 5 award winners - that's a total of 165 awards - in 33 Kingwood Villages for having outstanding holiday decorations!

Keller Williams Realty Northeast strives to be your one-stop source for real estate services covering the Northeast Houston area including Kingwood, Humble, Atascocita, Livingston (Lake Livingston), Splendora, New Caney, Huffman, Crosby, and the surrounding Lake Houston area.

The decorations were so beautiful and amazing! We thank all the homeowners for doing an outstanding job by making their homes so beautiful during the holidays.

WATCH LAST YEAR'S 2024 PARADE!

WHAT DOES OUR PARADE LOOK LIKE?

Special thanks to TexBiker on YouTube for capturing our 2024 Kingwood 4th of July Parade!

CLICK HERE to visit our 2024 July 4th Parade for information about our sponsors!

Kingwood Rotary Achieves Rotary International's Most Prestigious Award A Rotary Club Can Receive in 2023-2024!

For the 19th consecutive year, our Kingwood Rotary Club has received the most prestigious award that a Rotary club can receive from Rotary International which is the "Rotary Citation" Award.

Our club was one of only eleven of the 55 Rotary District 5890 clubs to receive this 2023-2024 award from Gordon R. McInally, the 2023-2024 President of Rotary International.

Congratulation to ALL of our Kingwood Rotarians for tackling projects of every scale and inspiring fellow Rotarians, friends, neighbors, and partners to share their vision, exchanging ideas for lasting solutions, and taking action to bring those ideas to life. We're People of Action!

As stated by President McInally in his letter to our club president, Charlie Buscemi, "for helping Rotary create hope in the world, your club demonstrated a commitment to achieve their goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future."

A MESSAGE FROM CHARLIE BUSCEMI, 2024-2025 PRESIDENT OF KINGWOOD ROTARY CLUB

Welcome, Friends & Neighbors!

I've been asked why I'm a Rotarian. Well, I joined Rotary to make difference in the world...and I've stayed because I AM! Joining Rotary has changed my life!

Kingwood Rotarians are PEOPLE OF ACTION, and I'm so proud to be member! I thank you for taking the time to visit our website to learn more about our club, and Rotary International! Each day, our members pour their passion, integrity, and intelligence into completing projects that have a lasting impact. We persevere until we delivery real, lasting solutions.

We meet each Monday from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at The Union Kitchen at 23918 US-59 North which (located just behind Texas Road House, IHOP, and Los Cucos Mexican Cafe) at the North Park Drive exit on US Hwy 59. Visitors are always welcome, and we'll pay for your first meal when you visit us - just let us know you're attending by call or text me at 713-598-7129 or email at CJS@SuddenLink.net

All of us are committed to seeing all of our Rotary friends, and hear about how they're are helping their communities.

COME MEET US! OUR WEEKLY CLUB DINNERS ARE AT THE UNION KITCHEN-KINGWOOD ARE EACH MONDAY FROM 5:30 PM TO 6:30 PM

We now have our weekly dinners & drinks each MONDAY from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM...which is during Happy Hour!

It would be great for you to come visit us because we'd love to get input from you about how we can work together to help our community with impactful service projects.

Our weekly dinner meetings are in the Boardroom in the back left corner of The Union Kitchen in Kingwood! Click here to checkout their awesome menu!

In lieu of our regular weekly meeting the 4th week of the month, we get together for a social. Recent socials include axe throwing, Kingwood Escape Room, "Steak Night" at the local VFW post, margaritas as Los Cucos Kingwood, and karaoke at a community tavern, and more!

The address is 23918 US-59 North at the North Park Drive exit in Kingwood located in the same shopping center as the Texas Roadhouse, Los Cucos Mexican Cafe, and IHOP!

Our meetings are where we discuss upcoming service project ideas, share fellowship, and FUN so please accept our invitation to attend a meeting and get to know us!

WHO ARE OUR KINGWOOD ROTARIANS?

While we have our weekly dinner meetings in Kingwood, we welcome members that live and work in ALL communities.

If you are a young professional, business leader, or community leader, or retired and wanting to make a positive change in your community and around the world...Come Join Us!

Kingwood Rotary's 20+ Projects & Activities Between October & December 2024

An Invitation To "Come Serve With Us"

Kingwood Rotary has always done hand-on community service projects throughout the year in our community, and beyond. Year after year, we're always busy doing about 20+ projects and activities and between October and December 31st.

We invite you to come serve with us!

We invite you to watch the video below and if you see something that ignites your passion for helping others, send us an email or text President Charlie Buscemi about serving with us: cjsb@suddenlink.net or text/call 713-598-7129.

Each week during our weekly Kingwood Rotary's dinner meeting (we meet during Happy Hour from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM) at The Union Kitchen, we have an open discussion for all our members to suggest idea, so come sit and chat with us about your ideas.

It's Time For Kingwood Civic Club & Kingwood Rotary's "2024 Kingwood Holiday Decorating Contest"

It's time for the Annual 2024 Holiday Decorating Contest of the Kingwood Civic Club & Kingwood Rotary Club! This is a great Kingwood tradition that our residents eagerly look forward to each year.

Kingwood has 33 villages in over 14,000 acres...so this is a BIG contest with lots of homes beautifully decorated for the holidays!

Judging will be Friday, December 13th from 6 PM - 9 PM and judges will present the coveted "Best..." yard signs in all 33 villages in each of the five categories that night to the homeowner!

Our volunteer judges will roam the streets on December 13th appraising all decorated homes and awarding recognition for various categories.

To participate in the contest, please have your home and yard decorated by December 13th, 2024. Make sure to leave your lights on starting at sunset on the 13th!

Learn more at: KingwoodCivicClub.org or KWRotary.org

Final winners will be selected on Friday, December 13th, 2024. Winners will be announced on this website on Saturday, December 14th so you can tour the winners!

The categories that will be judged are:

Best Traditional

Best Religious

Best Lights

Santa's Favorite

Best Doorway

We also need Kingwood residents to help in judging the contest. If you would like to participate as a judge, click here to signup.

We Donated 1,500+ Pounds of Chicken to FamilyTime's Battered Shelter

It has become a tradition for Kingwood Rotary to purchase chicken to help fill the freezers at FamilyTime's shelter for battered women and families, The Door. We ask them what type of meat they need, and then we start shopping to get the best deal.

We recently met the FamilyTime van and picked to 1,500+ pounds of chicken. This is one of our club's ongoing projects throughout the year helping FamilyTime.

One small Rotary club can help make an impact by working together to help those in our community!

Christmas Toy Project For Local Children

Christmas is a special time of the year, but so many families need assistance when it comes to toys for their children. Once again this year, Kingwood Rotary has purchased toys which we will donate to two special groups. From games, to skate boards, to dolls, and trucks, they will help add joy for children.

This is a project we've done for several years and all of our members get involved because it is a project that gives us an opportunity to help local children.

"Angel Tree Project" Gifts For Children in Need

When Kingwood Rotarian Laura Valladares, a counselor at a local elementary school, told us about their school's "Angel Tree" our members jumped at the chance to get involved.

Several of us took the Angel Tree cards for each child, which included their age and size, we we purchased clothing, toys and candy for 28 children. At one of our weekly meetings we sorted and packed the presents into gift bags for Laura to bring to school.

Laura called and asked the moms to come to the school and she presented them with the gifts for their children on Christmas morning. The moms were so surprised and excited that they would be able see their children's surprised faces on Christmas morning.

This project was special to all of our members and we loved every minute of creating a surprise for the children.

Kingwood Rotary Helps Feed 12,500 As $2,000 Sponsor To "Operation Turkey-Houston"

We're so proud that Kingwood Rotary partnered with Operation Turkey-Houston as a $2,000 sponsor to help provide 12,500+ Thanksgiving meals to individuals in need! Kingwood Rotary delivered 300 meals for veterans, senior citizens, local first responders, local immigrant center for teenagers, the Homeless Camp in Porter/New Caney and those in need.

On Thanksgiving morning, our members started volunteering a 6 AM to pack thousands of meals. Our members delivered 300 meals by lunchtime.

Special thanks to all our members for being involved with this annual service project.

School Supplies for Santa Fe Elementary School

We were so excited to provide 100 backpacks with school supplies to Santa Fe Elementary, which is a Title 1 campus. One of our members is a school counselor at the campus, so we were happy to help when she shared that students were in need of school supplies.

For Christmas this year, we will also provide gifts and toys to help the children have a great holiday.

We might be a small Rotary club, but our hearts are huge and we love making a difference in our community!

Our "Cards For Our Troops" Project To Thank Local Troops Serving in Harm's Way

Our "Cards For Our Troops" project is one of our favorites since it gives us a chance to tell our local tropps that are serving in harm's way that we love and support them!

Thank you to everyone that completed a card with a special "thank you" and holiday message to let our troops know we love and appreciate them!

We also had cards decorated by children expressing their thanks to our brave troops.

How will the cards get to the troops? We partnered with Blue Star Moms Houston to pack "Care Packages From Home" to fill boxes for our soldiers from the Kingwood/Houston area. We'll collect all the cards and place one inside each of the 250+ boxes that were mailed overseas to our local troops serving in harm's way overseas. These boxes will arrive just before the holidays. It's a great way to support our troops!

2024 Project: Sharing Your Christmas With International "Seafarers Care Boxes" Project

One of the "Seafarer Care Boxes"

For the fourth year, Kingwood Rotary is partnering with the First Presbyterian Church Kingwood thanks to Former Texas State Representative Joe Crabb and his awesome wife, Nancy. Special thanks to Kingwood Rotarian Richard Briggs for suggesting this project to our club.

Imagine being a international seafarer on a ocean vessel that arrives at the Port of Houston during Christmas. You're far from home in a country where you don't know anyone and maybe you can't disembark from the vessel.

To help them, the First Presbyterian Church members purchase and collect personal care items and create 400 care packages for these seafarers. and then deliver them to the Houston International Seafarers' Center which then delivers these care packages when the vessels arrive here and Houston for distribution to the crew.

Photo above shows Former Texas State Representative Joe Crabb and his remarkable wife, Nancy, with Kingwood Rotarian Rhonda Whitesell. One person or one little Rotary club can make the world a better place to live.

Kingwood Rotarians "Ringing the Bell" for The Salvation Army on December 7th

For the 20th year, Kingwood Rotarians will be honored again to help The Salvation Army by taking a shift to "Ring the Bell" to raise funds to help families in northeast Houston.

Since 2004, we've raised over $30,299 plus we've donated toys for The Salvation Army's Angel Tree for children at Christmas.

The Salvation Army Corps Community Center on Aldine Westfield Road helps families in northeast Houston throughout the year and are funded from donations. If you're interested in helping, please click here.

Want to impact the lives of families in northeast Houston? Drop your check in our bucket payable to "The Salvation Army" and add "Aldine-Westfield" on the memo line and your funds will be used to help local families in need in our area.

Sunday, Dec 8th: We're Volunteering At ABBY Foundation's Pet Vaccination Event!

On Sunday, December 8th, our members will be volunteering at the ABBY Foundation's Pet Vaccination at A.V. "Bull" Salas Park from 10 AM to 4 PM at 21675-B McClesky Road, New Caney 77351

The AABY Foundation invites pet owners to its next Pet Vaccination Clinic where they will be offering dog and cat vaccinations for $8 per shot from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Microchips are available for $15.

Senior citizens love their pets, but many can't afford to vaccinate them. This event provides very low cost (or free) vaccinations for the pets of senior citizens. A local veterinarian and their vet technicians will give the vaccines to the pets, and Kingwood Rotarians will volunteer to lend a helping hand at the event.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact Kingwood Rotarian Juanita Zavala via text to 281-731-1620.

Kingwood Rotary Remembers Kingwood Fallen Hero, Marine Luke Yepsen Each December 14th

18-years ago on December 14, 2006, Kingwood High School graduate, Lance Corporal Luke C. Yepsen was killed by enemy action in Al Anbar Province in Iraq.

Next week, Kingwood Rotarians will once again place American flags in the Yepsen's yard to honor Luke.

Luke was a proud Marine, and each year near the anniversary of his tragic death, his fellow Marines come to Kingwood to visit with his mom and dad, Sheila and Gary Yepsen. It's a time to remember this brave American, and for his fellow Marines to share their stories and help heal the hearts of those that love Luke.

The Yepsen family said Luke had a "strong desire to serve the country. He wanted to fight for the things we hold dear and since he was strong and capable, and armed with his faith in God, he felt the need to protect us. That he lost his life so young at the age of 20 and so soon after being stationed in Iraq makes it all the more tragic."

Kingwood Rotarians will never forget this young hero, and to honor Luke, his family, his friends and those that served heroically alongside him, Kingwood Rotarians proudly place American flags in the Yepson's yard on all patriotic holidays, and the week of December 14th. This is our way to let the Yepsen family know that we honor the sacrifice their son made for us, and our great country.

KINGWOOD ROTARY DONATED NON-PERISHABLES FOR BLUE STAR MOMS "CARE PACKAGES FROM HOME" PROJECT

We're very proud to be helping the Blue Star Moms of Houston (which is based in the Humble/Kingwood area) by purchasing non-perishable to fill boxes of "Care Packages From Home" for our local military service members in combat zones in harm's way.

We're proudly helping again just like we did at their last packing event. The 250 boxes were packed....and shipped immediately overseas to arrive by Christmas.

Our club purchased $1,000 of items to help fill the boxes and we also volunteered to pack the boxes.

Individual serving pop-top cans of: fruit, soup, chili, etc
Individual packages of oatmeal
Granola bars
Hard candy (nothing that melts)
Chewing gum
Pop-top cans or pouches of tuna
Hard candies (peppermint, etc.)
Pop-top cans of Bean Dip (They are from Texas!)

We'll also pack 100+ boxes of personal care items (male & female):

Non-aerosol shaving cream
Disposable razors
Chapstick / lip balm
Socks
Foot powder
Shampoo
Soap
Deodorant (non-aerosol)
Body lotion
Tampons and sanitary pads

Our Halloween Blood Drive Helps Save 45 Lives!

Special thanks to everyone that rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at our October 2024 Halloween Blood Drive! The Gulf Coast Regional Blood Coach collected enough blood to save the lives of 45 people!

We thank everyone for saving lives!

We Donated 500+ New School Uniforms To Rotary Project At School In Matamoros

In October, we received 400+ additional donated school uniforms for students at a Rotary project in Matamoros, Mexico!

These uniforms will help students be proud learners so they can become leaders in their community!

We arranged delivery to Art Bautista, with the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, and will be shipped to the Club Rotario Matamoros Profesional for donation to schools in need in Matamoros!

Partnerships are one of Rotary's greatest joys because when we work together to solve a problem, we make a positive impact in our world.

OUR "WE LOVE TO SAVE LIVES" COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Halloween Blood Drive

Sunday, October 27th

11 AM to 3 PM

Walgreens at 2240 Northpark Drive (at Woodland Hills Drive)

Look for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center's Mobile Blood Coach in the parking lot!

Click here to make an appointment to give blood!

Each of our blood donors helped save 3 lives by donating blood at our "We Love To Save Lives" Community Blood Drive for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center!

We sponsor a blood drive several times each year which helps provide local hospitals with a much needed supply of blood for their patients.

Kingwood Rotary Sponsored FamilyTime's "2024 Fall Festival Kid's Party"

Keeping victims of abuse safe is vital, but how do children living in FamilyTime's Battered Family Shelter in Humble celebrate a holiday? You bring the party celebration to them at the shelter!!!

2024 was Kingwood Rotary's 4th year to sponsor the Fall Fest Kid's Party" at FamilyTime Crisis and Counseling Center. We've sponsored their Back to School Bash, last year's Fall Festival.

The "Fall Festival" is an event for the children living at The Door which is FamilyTime's shelter for battered and abused families. Special thanks to Kingwood Rotarian Brad Jude for serving as our Committee Chair for this community service project with FamilyTime.

Our club provided the food including sandwich trays, cookies, fruit, snacks, treats, and drinks including tea and lemonade and the serving supplies.

We'll also donated $300 of $10 gift cards we purchased from local fast food eateries and retail stores to serve as prizes for their "Gift Card Walk." This activity is similar to a traditional cake walk, with gift card prizes in place of cakes.

Once again, it was a wonderful opportunity to give the children a way of celebrating in a safe environment.

Visit https://familytimeccc.org/ for ways you can donate to help victims of abuse.

Women’s Careers Get A Lift From Rotary

Female Rotary Members Make Professional Connections, Develop New Skills & Get Inspired To Set Ambitious Goals!

Women members say Rotary offers a wide range of professional benefits. It helps them make contacts, expand their skillsets, and — perhaps most importantly — find the inspiration to set higher career goals. “Being brave enough to step into [Rotary] leadership roles teaches you so much,” says Nicki Scott, a former RI director and vice president. “It’s a priceless MBA of leadership skills.” Read more on Rotary.org .

Kingwood Rotary Partners On $103,000 Rotary Foundation Global Grant For Stopping Human Trafficking

The Rotary Club of Space Center has asked Houston area Rotary clubs to partner with them on a $103,000 Rotary Foundation Global Grant Global Grant to help prevent human trafficking. This Rotary Foundation Global Grant for a Recovery Center for Girls Rescued from Sex-Trafficking in Houston and from other Texas cities. Rotary club partners are also from Korea, and South America.

The 2024 US$103,000 Rotary Foundation Global Grant # GG 2352037 for AN “Early Intervention and Referral Program for Victims of Child Sex Trafficking in the Greater Houston Area and Adjoining Coastal Region" with Unbound NOW.

Unbound Now has a proven track record in Child Sex Trafficking awareness, prevention, victim advocacy, et. al., in Texas. This new grant project will provide an enhanced opportunity for greater Rotary club/member involvement

A comprehensive set of documents (Project Worksheet, signed MOU, Sustainability Plan, Personnel Job Descriptions, etc.) were prepared and submitted by Unbound Now to Rotary leaders in Districts 5890, 5910, and The Rotary Foundation in early May 2024.

We look forward to sharing more details about this opportunity in September 2024.

Kingwood Rotary Helps Sponsor "Trees for Students" Program in Humble ISD with Trees For Kingwood

Kingwood Rotarians are proud to have donated another $2,000 to support Trees for Kingwood to help sponsor their "Trees for Students Program" in Humble ISD.

Our members understand that the whole world is their backyard. "Protecting the Environment" is one of Rotary's 7-Areas of Focus so we are proud to support activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources.

This program partners with local schools to teach Humble ISD students about the importance of trees in our environment. As part of the program, the students receive a small tree they can plant in their community or at one of the partner organization sites.

This is the second donation from Rotary Club of Kingwood in support of this initiative. With our first $2,000 donation, Trees For Kingwood planted 35 trees along Woodland Hills Drive with help from local Kingwood organizations. Click here to learn more about this environmental project.

Click here to read the article,"Trees for Kingwood aims to resore the canopy in "The Livable Forest", in the Community Impact online edition.

The video below showcases the Trees for Students project Kingwood Rotary is funding at Bear Branch Elementary School in Kingwood, Texas (Humble ISD).

$2,000 of Trees From Kingwood Rotary Club Have Been Planted Along Kingwood Medians With "Trees For Kingwood" Reforestation Project

Jul 21, 2024

Trees for Kingwood experts planting trees along streets in Kingwood with help from local Kingwood organizations including $2,000 from Kingwood Rotary Club.

A new community group called "Trees for Kingwood" completed their first tree planting in November 2022, and it continues to grow each year. The group works across community and trails associations, local government and local businesses to facilitate reforesting the Kingwood area. The trees are planted with best practices (such as adding soil amendments and root stimulator) and a two year watering plan to get them established.

Special thanks to Brad Jude (see photo above, front row on right with shovel) a member of Kingwood Rotary and President of the Bear Branch Trails Association, for suggesting this project to our club's Service Project Chair for this ongoing project.

City of Houston Mayor Pro Tem Martin joined volunteers with Trees for Kingwood in planting 100 trees donated by the City of Houston Urban Forestry. The mission of Trees for Kingwood is to restore the Livable Forest.

Over the last 5 decades, Kingwood has lost over ten thousand trees due to disease, storms, and drought. Regeneration of the Livable Forest has been hampered by a number of invasive vine species that choke off new tree growth.

Contributions from area community and trails association with trees from the City of Houston allowed for the professional installation of some 35 medium sized trees in our service area. Many of the trees were planted in the bare medians of Woodland Hills Drive starting at Ben’s Branch continuing towards Kingwood Drive.

Kingwood Civic Club & Kingwood Rotary Club's Annual "Holiday Decorating Contest"

The Kingwood Civic Club and Kingwood Rotary Club's Annual "Kingwood Holiday Decorating Contest" recognizes beautifully decorated homes in Kingwood. With 33 villages/subdivisions, it takes lots of volunteers to judge each village and select the "best of the best" in just one night.

Judging will be on the evening of Friday, December 13th, so make sure you have your lights up and ON so our judges can see your holiday spirit as they drive by.

In addition this year, Kingwood Rotary will once again create and donate the goodie bags that will be provided to each of the judges.

Kingwood Rotary Sponsors "Alive" Exhibit at "Holocaust Garden of Hope" in Kingwood

Before the Holocaust, parents worked, and children played.

Families and friends celebrated holidays together.

However, something terrible was about to happen!

Kingwood Rotary Club is honored to be a $10,000 "Premier Sponsor" of an exhibit at the Holocaust Garden of Hope Outdoor Museum in remembrance of victims...including 1.5 million children...survivors, rescuers, WWII Veterans, liberators, and descendants. This one-of-a-kind children’s memorial garden features eight pocket exhibits, each focusing on a specific aspect of the Holocaust.

Our exhibit at this museum was possible thanks to a Rotary District 5890 Grant.

Our exhibit is in the “Life Before the Holocaust” section and is a Chai symbol, which in Hebrew means “life,” "alive," or "living" and is nestled in the garden area located just behind the entrance to the museum.

The goal is to educate our children and community that they have a choice when they see someone being made fun of, or when they see someone being taunted because they are different. The project is designed to bring together Jews and non-Jews alike as a community united against hate.

We also have large pavers with the one in the entry which reads, "Kingwood Rotary Club - Create Hope in the World Through Peace".

The brick entrance gate to the Holocaust Garden of Hope is a replica of the entrance to the “Jasenovac Concentration Camp” which was located in the State of Croatia. Used as both a concentration camp and an extermination camp, it quickly grew into the third largest concentration camp in Europe.

Over 20,000 children were killed at Jasenovac Concentration Camp.

This project is about “Peace and Conflict Resolution” which is one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus. It will serve as a memorial garden in remembrance of Holocaust victims (children & adults), survivors, rescuers, WWII Veterans, descendants, Christians, and liberators.

Click here to read a Houston Chronicle article, "Houston garden project prepares to bloom on the banks of Lake Houston"

We Toured Our Club's $32,468 "Kids Area Project" At The Kingwood Branch Library

It was exciting for our Kingwood Rotarians to visit our $32.468 community service project at the Kingwood Branch Library.

When Hurricane Harvey hit the Kingwood Area, the Kingwood Branch Library was flooded by several feet of nasty, dangerous flood water, including the Children's Section of the library. Since our members wanted to do a project that would help the entire community, we decided the library would be our community project. We asked Ryan Fennell, Branch Manager, what was his "Wish List" was and he said the restoring the section for the children. When he provided us the $32,468 list, he didn't expect us to provide everything and we weren't sure where we would get the funds, but we did.

Below are photos of our Kingwood Rotarians with Ryan Fennell, Branch Manager, giving us a recent toug to see all of the wonderful items we donated to "Friends of Library Kingwood" which then purchased all the items on their "Wish List".

Checkout our VIP Sponsor Logos below to learn more about each one - Please let them know that you appreciate their support of your community!

Without them, this Kingwood 4th of July Parade would not happen, so support these local businesses and organizations!

Our Kingwood Rotary Club is a 501(4)C Community Organization, and Kingwood Civic Club is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization! All funds raised is used to support our local community projects!

THANK YOU TO LAST YEAR'S 2024 KINGWOOD "RED, WHITE & BLUE" VIP 4TH OF JULY PARADE SPONSORS!

Click here to visit our Kingwood July 4th Parade webpage for more details

We're already planning our 2025 Parade (see above), and looking forward to seeing the 10,000 - 11,000 that line our parade route to celebrate this community tradition! This community event is an opportunity for families, businesses and individuals, as well as non-profit organizations, to share in the celebration of Independence Day!

Special Thanks to City of Houston Mayor John Whitmire for serving as our 2024 Grand Marshal of the Parade!

Read the Houston Chronicle's recent article about the Parade - Click here

Click here to visit our Kingwood July 4th Parade webpage for more details

President

Charlie Buscemi

Vice President

Charlie Buscemi

Secretary

Sandi Nizzi

Executive Secretary / Director

Tommie Buscemi

Treasurer

Brad Jude

The Rotary Foundation

Tommie Buscemi

Membership

Rhonda Zack Whitesell

Club Learning Facilitator

Charlie Buscemi

Club Public Image Chair

Tommie Buscemi

Club Service Projects Chair

Donna Ballard

Club Young Leaders Contact

Tommie Buscemi

International Service

Frank Huezo

Community Service

Juanita Zavala

Member Birthdays:

Rhonda Zack Whitesell

May 14

Spouse/Partner Birthdays:

Rhonda Zack Whitesell

May 14

Join Date:

Charlie Buscemi

May 1, 1994

31 years
Harold Brown

May 8, 2023

2 years
Rhonda Zack Whitesell

May 8, 2023

2 years

Flags Across Kingwood - Subscription Form

About Kingwood Rotary Club & Our Projects

"Why Join Kingwood Rotary"

New Members: How To Set Up My Rotary Account

https://www.facebook.com/groups/284108875030216

Rotarian brings home mental health support

Rotarian brings home mental health

The Wisdom of the Hot Flash

Many women approaching midlife wonder if they should consider hormone replacement therapy. The evidence on the benefits and risks is clear.

Rotary projects around the globe May 2025

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Mexico, Austria, Australia, and South Sudan.

You’re the perfect messenger

Katharine Hayhoe explains the enormity of our climate crisis, how it magnifies virtually every other serious challenge, and how all hope is not lost. Not by a long shot

A profitable path

With minority business awards, a Texas Rotary club lifts the fortunes of enterprises with heart, itself included

May 2025

Rotary International

RI President Home

Rotary Global Rewards

Joining Rotary

Rotary History

Rotary Foundation

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Rotary is the BEST service organization in the world because we have members just like you! We have different backgrounds and professions that come together to use our skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of others.

Our Weekly Dinners Are Each Monday, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

WHAT DO KINGWOOD ROTARIANS DO?

Through regular club programs, hands-on service projects, social events, and neighborhood activities, our members learn about the issues that face our communities and then we exchange ideas about how we can take action to help.

We invite you to watch the video below see some of our projects throughout the year.

What is Rotary doing in the Ukraine?

An Invitation To "Come Serve With Us"

Female Rotary Members Make Professional Connections, Develop New Skills & Get Inspired To Set Ambitious Goals!

May 2025