RYLA Opportunity for Bedford Sophomores
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (also known as RYLA) will be held from June 26-28, 2026 at Fitchburg State University with over 200 students from across Central Massachusetts. Each year, the Rotary Club of Bedford selects and sponsors a group of students with excellent potential for leadership and service for attendance.
The RYLA application is live at this link: https://tinyurl.com/Bedford-RYLA-2026
Join us for the next Bedford Community Dinner on Tuesday, January 28th, at 5:30 pm at First Church. This dinner is open to all—neighbors, friends, and families are all welcome!
We’re excited to share that this will be our first Community Dinner with a co-host and sponsor, Middlesex Savings Bank. The MSB team will plan, cook, and serve the meal, and before dinner they’ll also offer a Fraud Prevention presentation with helpful tips to keep our community informed and safe. This session will equip you with the knowledge to protect yourself from scams and fraudulent activities. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn valuable tips and ask questions. The presentation will held at 4:30pm in Upper Fellowship Hall.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is pleased to report progress on two active Rotary International Global Grant projects—one as an International Partner and one as a significant active partner. Both projects required more than two years of careful planning and approval, underscoring the value of patience and persistence in global service.
The Rainwater Catchment Tanks (RCTs) in Kenya project was approved in May 2025 and is now being implemented at 16 rural sites in western Kenya under the leadership of the Rotary Club of Maseno and Rotary Cadre Engineer Muyera.
The Tricycle Ambulances in Ghana project recently received RI approval in December 2025. The Rotaract Club of Accra–West Legon serves as the Host Club, with the Rotary Club of Wa supporting five local deployment sites, in strategic partnership with Moving Health to strengthen emergency medical transportation.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is proud to support these impactful global initiatives.
Our annual Winter Holiday Breakfast was a tremendous success, welcoming a large crowd of smiling children, families, and neighbors for a joyful morning full of holiday spirit. The room was buzzing with energy as families gathered to share a meal, connect with one another, and enjoy the warmth of a beloved community tradition. Seeing so many happy faces made it clear just how special this Rotary-led event continues to be for our town since its inception in 1986 as Breakfast with Santa.
One of the highlights of the morning was the wide variety of activities and entertainment that kept children (and adults!) smiling for hours. Families enjoyed the festive photo booth, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, and hands-on crafts—complete with plenty of glue and glitter. The Bedford Science Center delighted children with animal encounters, including little chicks, guinea pigs, and a bearded dragon. Kids were thrilled to meet Willow, the Lane School therapy dog, and the Davis and Lane School mascots joined in the fun. Attendees also had opportunities to learn about and celebrate Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, adding to the inclusive spirit of the event. Musical entertainment filled the room thanks to performances by the Bellachords, Superintendent Cliff Chuang, and others. Balloon animals and face painting rounded out the festivities, truly offering hours of entertainment for all.
On December 4th, dedicated club members rolled up their sleeves and braved frigid temperatures to support a Habitat for Humanity build day in Concord. Despite the cold, spirits were high as the group came together with a shared purpose: helping build safe, affordable homes for families in our community. Throughout the day, volunteers made meaningful progress across multiple houses. One team focused their efforts on constructing a staircase for the first house, while others worked hard on the floor for the third home.
The Rotary Club of Bedford is pleased to share a new Visual Social Story designed to help children and families prepare for this year’s Winter Holiday Breakfast. We know that busy events, new environments, and lots of activity can sometimes feel overwhelming for young visitors. This resource provides a simple, supportive preview of what to expect.
The social story includes visual panels covering:
The Rotary Club of Bedford once again brightened the town—literally and figuratively—during this year’s Light Up Bedford event, held alongside Bedford’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration on the Town Common. With hundreds of residents gathered for the festive evening, Rotary members worked steadily to distribute visibility and safety gear to help keep pedestrians and cyclists safe during the darker winter months.
This year’s effort was its most successful yet. Rotarians handed out 330 pedestrian safety lights and 100 reflective arm bands, all provided through the Bedford Rotary Foundation. In addition, thanks to the support of MassBike’s Lights Brigade program, the club distributed 35 sets of front and rear bicycle lights, offering cyclists an easy way to improve visibility on the roads.
Bedford, MA 01730
United States of America