The motto of Rotary Clubs the world over has always been
"Service Above Self," a motto which exemplifies this great organization’s unceasing dedication to improving our world.
Fulfilling this great tradition for more than 50 years is the
Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes of Rotary International District 7490.

During its five decades of existence, the Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes has been a vital part of its community, serving as a continuing living example of its "Service Above Self" credo. The list of projects, charities, and organizations which have benefitted from the Club’s commitment to help the community is a long one.



The Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes began on March 10, 1953, when the Club was formed as a provisional club of Rotary International at a luncheon meeting held at the Wayne Country Club. The meeting was first presided over by V.J. Grassey, Extension Chairman for the Haledon Rotary Club, the sponsoring organization. The future of the Pompton Lakes Club’s new President, Irving Kleinman, then took the reins.

The first officers to serve with

•  President Irving Kleinman were
•  Daniel Salameno, Vice President;
  
• Joseph Belmont, Secretary;
  
• Jerome Atkins, Treasurer; and
  
• Clayton Winters, Sergeant-at-Arms.
  

There were four Directors chosen:

• Nicholas Gentile,
  
• Alfred Lockwood,
  
• Benjamin Rothstein and
  
• Dr. Thomas Kellogg.

The new Club’s territorial limits were Pompton Lakes, Wanaque and the north-west section of Riverdale. The provisional Club’s goal was realized on June 23rd when a "Charter Night" was held at the Swiss Chalet in Rochelle Park.

Throughout its history of more than half a century, the Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes has been at the forefront of Rotary activity. It has been blessed with an active membership, all freely giving of time and energy. It is justly proud that one of the original 27 charter members, Harold Clark, is still among its most active participants.

Members of the Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes have given countless hours to raise funds for the worldwide projects of Rotary International. Among those ongoing projects is the Rotary Foundation which provides educational grants and awards to young business and professional people so they may have the advantages of study-visits abroad.

Contributions have been made to the Rotary Foundation well in excess of the dollar amount necessary to make the Pompton Rotary a 100% Foundation Club.



The Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes members have given time and raised funds for a number of worldwide causes through Rotary International but their hearts are in the Pompton Lakes area. The old maxim "charity begins at home," is behind much of their humanitarian efforts.

The following is a list of area projects, charities and organizations which have benefitted from their commitment:

Wanaque Handball Court, Pompton Lakes Handball Court, Pompton Lakes Band Boosters, Pompton Lakes Senior Awards, District 7490 Mobile Blood Unit, Vaccines for Children, Pompton Lakes High School Music Department, A.A.U. Junior Olympics, Pompton Lakes Booster Club, Wanaque Coaches Association, The Community Fund, Pompton Lakes Little League, The Flag Program, Books for the Library, Wheelchairs, Iron Lung to the Pompton Lakes-Riverdale First Aid Squad, Bulletproof vests and police mountain bicycles for the Pompton Lakes Police Department, Oxygen resuscitation equipment for the Pompton Lakes Police patrol cars, Safety and rescue equipment for the Pompton Lakes Fire Department, Boy’s and Girl’s State, Art Show, Vietnam Project, Christmas Toy Project, High School Scholarships, Student Loans, Covenant House, Career Day, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Eva’s Kitchen and Sheltering Program, Flood Relief, Senior Citizens, Boat for Pompton Lakes Rescue Squad, Walter Head Foundation College Fund, Student Exchange Program, Area Hospitals, Pompton Lakes Monument Area Restoration, Auto for the Handicapped, Ambulance to India, Livestock to impoverished family in India, Boy and Girl Scouts, relocation of World War I Cannon, Habitat for Humanity, Gift-of-Life heart surgery program for children, creation of two Rotary Parks in Pompton Lakes, distribution of dictionaries to third grade students in Wanaque and Pompton Lakes, the Emergency Blue Light Program for senior citizens and disabled residents, Student Achievement Awards, emergency financial assistance for local families, participation in the Planet Earth tree-planting project, and the Pompton Lakes PAL Basketball Program.

This expansive list represents an infinite number of devoted hours given by Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes members, and with the support of the community, more than $1 million in funds raised and donated.

The value of the hands on volunteer work performed by Club members can't be measured by any means other than the smiles and expressions of gratitude shown by those recipients.

The Rotary Club of Pompton Lakes has been a vital part of its community, and through its countless efforts, has made its community, state and nation a better place to live.