Our Rotary Foundation Gifts Change Lives

All Newport Rotary members give to our Rotary Foundation! Because of Rotary members and donors worldwide, our Foundation continues to help make lasting change in communities both close to home and far away. Together, we raised more than US$477 million in the Rotary year that just ended! These gifts are more than just donations. They are the reason that our Foundation can support sustainable projects that improve people’s health, expand access to education, protect the environment, alleviate poverty, and promote peace. 

Thanks to these donations our Foundation  has been achieving meaningful change. The Rotary Foundation was able to: 

• Award 1,804 global grants, 463 district grants, and 61 disaster response grants in 2025-26
• Work with our partners to vaccinate more than 350 million children in 28 countries during 2025
• Open our newest Rotary Peace Center at Symbiosis International University in India 

Newport Rotarians, thank you for your generosity and for choosing to support our Foundation. Your gift is creating opportunities, strengthening communities, and advancing Rotary’s mission around the world. This means helping people access clean water, healthcare, and disaster relief, while working steadfastly to eradicate polio. We are deeply grateful for your partnership in creating lasting change. Doing Good in the World starts with us! Thank you for your generosity.

District Governor Shawn Braswell Visits Newport Rotary

DG Shawn Braswell

District 7730 District Governor 2026-2027 Shawn Braswell of the Southport Rotary Club visits Newport Rotary during their September 28, 2026 Meeting, 5:30pm at the Newport Rotary Building. 

Shawn has ignited her path through Rotary with passion and fervor. As a District Public Image Chair and Assistant Governor for Area 4, her fiery commitment shone brightly. She served as President of the Southport Rotary Club in 2021-22. Shawn's trail of achievements, including graduating from the Rotary Leadership Institute and The District "Dare to Lead" Leadership program, burns with excellence. Her accolades as the District Emerging Leader in 2022, one of the first District Public Image Chairs to meet the Zone 33/34 Public Image Challenge in 2023, and District Rotarian of the Year in 2024 are testaments to her unstoppable drive. Certified in Mental Heath first Aid and a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, Paul Harris Society member, and Polio Plus Society member, Shawn's contributions simmer with significance.

As the principal of DWB Business Services, Shawn ignites innovation in her virtual back-office support business. Her clientele, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, have felt the heat of her influence, especially in advancing technology in classrooms for lower-income areas. Shawn's business savvy crackles with energy as she continues to expand her empire.

In the telecommunications and manufacturing industries, Shawn is a formidable force, known for her strategic problem-solving prowess and her ability to streamline processes with ease. Her reservoir of knowledge and experience fuels her Rotary service with intensity.

Beyond the real of Rotary, Shawn has set her community alight with her involvement. As a Girl Scout Leader, she earned accolades as an Outstanding Troop Leader and fueled the ACS Relay for Life program, chairing the East Lincoln event in 2015.

Residing in Oak Island, NC, Shawn finds joy in her family, including her husband, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, who are the sparks in her life.

Help us welcome DG Shawn to Newport Rotary! 

Newport Rotary Stocks School Supplies

During the week of August 17, 2026, Newport Rotary members stocked Clara's Closet at Newport Elementary School with teacher supplies for the coming school year. The supplies include: 40 Classroom Set Expo Multi Colored Chisel Tip Markers, 30 Classroom Set Expo Multi Colored Fine Tip Markers, 432 Dry Erase Fine Tip Markers (12 colors), 2400 Laminating Sheets, 2 Laminator Machines 9”, 600 Dry Erase Multi Colored Pockets, 300 Over Ear Corded Headphones Multi Colored, 320 Earbuds, 30 Reams Astrobright Colored Paper, 60 USB Wired Mouse, 600 Manila File Folders, 660 Colored File Folders, 240 Sets Colored Pencils, 72 8” Scissors, Staples, Tape Refills. 

The project is funded by a Grant from WalMart, Newport Rotary, The Newport Halloween Hootenanny,  Go Newport, Inc., and the Wall family.  

For more information on the project, go to the Clara's Closet page of this website.  

Local Realtor Vesco scheduled for Newport Rotary Program`

John Vesco

Local Realtor John Vesco will be the program at the Monday, August 24, 2026 meeting of Newport Rotary, 5:30 pm at the Newport Rotary Building, 245 Howard Blvd., Newport. John is the principal owner and Broker of John Vesco INC Real Estate. The focus of the program will be the current state of the real estate market in Carteret County. The public is welcome to attend. 

Rotary is the world's first and largest service organization. Rotary clubs bring together people across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves. Rotary members around the world strengthen their connections to friends and neighbors taking action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotary is changing communities like yours.

Join us today! NEWPORT ROTARY.

School Cleanup has record turnout

Over 40 volunteers braved the heat Saturday morning to get Newport Elementary School ready for open house and the first day of school. Newport Rotary and NES coordinated the event that trimmed, mowed, and mulched their way to terrific curb appeal for the upcoming school events. Click this link for photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/aGDx7CKqqRcWqTfDA 

Newport Rotary Receives Grant for Sidewalk Benches Project

Newport Rotary was notified this week that their 2026-27 District Grant- to Install four (4) benches as part of Newport's Sidewalk Plan - was approved. The grant is funded by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and requires a 1:1 match for a project amount of $3,582.00. 

The benches, in coordination with the Town of Newport, will be strategically placed along the new sidewalks that the town and county have installed. The benches are made of reenforced recycled plastic and are extremely strong and durable. They will be mounted on permanent concrete pads and will have the Rotary logo and "Newport Rotary" prominently displayed.

The project is now underway and is expected to be completed by February 1, 2027. 

August 10, 2026 Program - Newport BBQ Fest

The August 10, 2026 Newport Rotary Program will be from the start up Newport BBQ Fest promoters to inform us of their plans for the 2027 event.