FLAGS FOR HEROES 2026
Arlington Rotary is opening its 2026 Flags For Heroes exhibition. Flags For Heroes honors our local heroes and raises funds for three scholarships for high school seniors who are residents of Arlington. One scholarship is awarded to a senior at each of Arlington High School, Arlington Catholic High School and Minuteman High School. Community members have the opportunity to sponsor a flag in memory or honor of the men and women who are serving or have served as members of the Military, Police Officers, Firefighters, First Responders, Parents, Teachers, Coaches, Mentors, Community Leaders, and fly a flag for all the people who have made a difference in their lives. This year the Rotary's Flags For Heroes display is dedicated to
Anne Mahon Powers and Kathleen Kiely-Dias
two Arlington women who offered years of leadership and public service in our community and are exemplary role models for our high school students in practicing the Rotarian principle of "Service Above Self".
The Polar Plunge 2026
Rotary Thanks Polar Plungers
The Arlington Fire Department, the Arlington Police Department, and, Rotarians Bill Hayner and Carol Greeley competed to raise funds to eradicate polio.The collective donations raised by these great teams and matched 2x by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provided funds for 25,191 polio vaccinations adminstered to children in Southeast Asia and Africa!
Rotary Thanks Polar Plungers
The donations raised by these great teams and matched 2x by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation provided funds for 25,191 polio vaccinations adminstered to children in Southeast Asia and Africa!
Thank You to Our
Brave Polar Plunge Participants!
Brave Polar Plunge Participants!
Arlington Fire Department
• Chief Kevin Kelley
• Captain Dan Kerr
Arlington Police Department
• Captain Richard Flynn
• Captain Brendan Kiernan
• Lieutenant Michael Flynn
Arlington Rotary Club
• Bill Hayner
• Carol Greeley
Arlington Catholic High School Interact Organizes “Blessing Bags” for Salvation Army and People in Need
ACHS Interact Working Hard
In November, ACHS Interact completed their annual Blessing Bags Event! Arlington Rotary, Arlington K of C Council 109, and the Arlington Police Department assisted Interact in supporting the Salvation Army and local individuals and families in need. Interact was able to assemble 36 kids' bags for children at the Salvation Army's daycare center. In addition, they filled over 200 bags with toiletries, warm gloves, hats, and socks, providing comfort to many in need during the cold winter months.
Rotarian and Interact Advisor Christy Kiernan and fellow teacher Rev. Dominic Ngo called for a special shoutout to high schooler Tess McQuillan for creating a helpful pamphlet of local resources to share with recipients, and to Theology teacher Ms. Przytula's classes for raising extra donations. The entire Interact Club worked together to get the packets out before the cold weather.
Mission Accomplished
Arlington High School Students Aid in Setting Up Flags for Heroes
Every year Arlington Rotary mounts a Flags For Heroes campaign where residents can donate a flag and dedicate it to their special heroes - relatives, military active or veterans, first responders, teachers or special people who have made an impression in their lives and embody the Rotary motto "Service Above Self". Donations are dedicated to scholarships for graduates of Arlington's high schools and other charitable purposes.
Click HERE to honor your heroes in the 2026 Flags For Heroes display!
New Meeting Location - Donut Villa!
Arlington Rotary meets each Wednesday morning at Donut Villa, 319 Broadway Arlington, MA 02474. Breakfast starts at 7:30 and our meeting begins promptly at 8:00am. Guests are welcome to join us - breakfast is on us!
If you are unable to come in person join via zoom.
If you have questions, click below to email our club president.
Annual Paul Harris Fellowship &
Community Persons of the Year Awards Banquet
Held on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 6-9pm
St. Eulalia Parish Hall, Winchester
The Rotary Club of Arlington’s annual Paul Harris Fellowship and Community Persons of the Year Awards is our signature fundraising event.
We have been proud to highlight the Town of Arlington’s rich history and its pivotal role in the American Revolution. Countless dedicated individuals have worked tirelessly to coordinate a year-long commemoration honoring Arlington’s Revolutionary War contributions and its lasting impact on American history. Through engaging events and community activities, they have inspired pride in Arlington’s heritage and brought neighbors together in meaningful celebration.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who made this commemoration possible. The Rotary Club of Arlington congratulates this year's Paul Harris Fellows and Community Persons of the Year!
2025 Paul Harris Fellow Recipients
Robert & Elaine Bowes
Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty
(Formerly BOWES Real Estate)
Natercia Calisto
East Cambridge Savings Bank
Penelope Ellard
Sponsored by Rotarian Dan Ellard
Christy Kiernan
Arlington Catholic High School Interact Leader
Mahendra Pattni
Arlington Rotarian
L to R: Rep. Dave Rogers, Recipients: Mahendra Pattni, Penelope Ellard, Bob Bowes, Elaine Bowes, Christy Kiernan, Natercia Calisto; Rep. Sean Garballey
2025 Community Person of the Year Recipients
John Hurd
Angela Olszewski
Co-Chairs, Arlington 250 Celebration Committee
L to R: Rotarian George Parsons presenting Community Persons of the Year Award to
Angela Olszewski and John Hurd