By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the NEWS
The Rotary Club of San Benito is beginning a new Rotary year with a continued focus on community service, local partnerships, and projects that aim to make a lasting difference in the lives of San Benito residents.
The 2026–2027 Rotary Club of San Benito officers are Toni Crane, president; Jessica A. Gonzales, president-elect; Theresa Servellon, vice president; Dolia Castillo, secretary; Sam Mendez, treasurer; Antonio Castillo, sergeant-at-arms; Rolando Monsevalles, immediate past president; Linda De La Rosa, director of public image; and Gilbert Galvan, director of membership.
The club, chartered on Oct. 19, 1919, has served San Benito for over a century.
Rolando Monsevalles, who served as president during the 2025–2026 Rotary year and will now serve as immediate past president, said the club is entering its 107th year this October.
Monsevalles said the club has remained committed to serving the community through projects supporting residents, youth, and families.
“The club has always been involved in projects that are used to help the community grow in a positive way,” Monsevalles said.
As the 2026–2027 Rotary year begins, Linda De La Rosa, director of public image for the Rotary Club of San Benito, said the club’s goal is to create lasting impact through meaningful service. She added that the club’s work focuses on improving lives, strengthening community ties and building relationships that endure beyond a single project or event.
“Our legacy isn’t measured by what we start but by the lasting impact we leave on our community,” De La Rosa said.
Fundraising remains an important part of supporting the club’s service work, including the popular Lotería and Casino Night Fundraisers.
The club also continues to participate in Shrimp Fest in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Harlingen and North Harlingen. Those fundraisers help fund projects carried out throughout the year.
The club’s service priorities include several community-focused efforts, such as the Lionel C. Betancourt Adoption Awareness Picnic, Rotary Youth Gardening Project, Rotary Christmas at the Park, Home Town Heroes Project, Harvest of Hope Thanksgiving Project, Rotary International Toy Project, and Socks and More Drive Project.
De La Rosa also shared that the club hopes to expand its services this year by developing new projects to support veterans and senior citizens, with the goal of helping them feel valued and appreciated.
Monsevalles, who said he has been a member of the San Benito club for 43 years, described Rotary as a means of giving back through service and fellowship.
“We’re here to provide service above self, to do so through fellowship, and to give back to our communities,” Monsevalles said.
As the new Rotary year begins, Toni Crane, president of the Rotary Club of San Benito, is encouraging residents to get involved, volunteer, share ideas, and lend a helping hand.
Crane said each project, volunteer hour, and life touched contributes to Rotary’s mission of “Service Above Self” and the club’s commitment to creating lasting impact in San Benito.
According to its website, Rotary International is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite to create lasting change in communities worldwide.
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, IL. by attorney Paul Harris as a means of professional networking and fellowship, Rotary is a non-political, non-religious humanitarian organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide service, promote high ethical standards, and advance peace.
The Rotary Club of San Benito meets every Thursday at noon at SB Wings, 498 E Business 77, San Benito.