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The Genetaska Club of Rochester, formerly “Ladies of Kiwanis,” (before women were allowed to join that international service organization) can be traced back to 1947!! Genetaska is a Native American word for “helping hands”. The local Club was the largest but now is the only remaining Genetaska Club anywhere. The Club today has over 100 members from all over Monroe County and is still going strong. We have a luncheon meeting (at various local restaurants) on the third Wednesday of every month at various locations in the Rochester area, year-round. 

The Rochester Club helps dozens of local charities each year.  We find out what organization or schools need help by contacting the directors of various boards, and then select one charity per month to help.  Each charity is contacted to determine what items they need, and members are asked to bring these specific items to our monthly luncheons after which we deliver them to the charity.

Just this 2025 holiday season we were able to donate $8,000 to food and nutrition related charities such as Rush Henrietta area Food Terminal, Lakeview Community Pantry, St Peter's Kitchen, Blessed Sacrament Supper Program, Holy Apostles Church,  Webster Hope House and Life Solutions of Hamlin Food Pantry.

Other charities we have supported during 2025:

Camp Haccamo, Artists Unlimited, Matthews Closet, Emmanuel Presbyterian Church Cafe Program, Patrick Place, No Lemons Equine, Sunny Mike Foundation, Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester, Emilee Connection, Dimitri House.

Past charities include Alternatives for Battered Women, Angels of Mercy, the Irondequoit Community Cupboard, St. Joseph’s House of Hospitality, the School of the Holy Childhood, and Wilson Commencement Park, just to name a few. We also collect money from members every month to purchase hats and mittens for students at two Rochester city schools as well as participating in many community outreach "ad hoc" activities throughout the year!

The Club holds several major fundraisers each year: two card parties, a Fashion Show and a Basket & Raffle Sale.  Proceeds from these fundraisers are the only ones given in cash form to two charities that have been carefully selected. We also host two day trips a year as additional fundraisers. The proceeds from these are non-monetary gifts, but we do buy or pay for things that a charity has requested. For example, we purchased a washer and dryer for a hospice home; a harness and food for a blind person’s seeing-eye dog; and a stove for a family in need. We sent from Hope Hall to summer camp; donate cases of peanut butter and jelly to various food cupboards; and send children to Red Wings games.  We have also provided food baskets to needy families at Thanksgiving time, and distributed twenty $100 Walmart gift certificates each December.  

We are always looking for new members; if you're interested in joining simply click on the "Membership Form" tab at the top of the page and send the completed form to the name & address at the bottom.  We welcome all women in the Greater Rochester area!