Rotary Club of Savanna turns 96 years old
SAVANNA - The Rotary Club of Savanna celebrated its 96th year of serving the Savanna area at Manny's Pizza with a birthday cake and a renewed commitment to raise money for local college-bound students.
"Decade by decade, we've managed to do tremendous good in Savanna and in Carroll County," said President Bryan McCaskey. "We've made a really big difference in helping people and improving the quality of life in the area."
The club, founded in 1921, celebrated with a visit from Kathy Kwiat-Hess, the district governor elect for Rotary District 6420. The club also looked back at its long involvement in the community - from supporting the local schools to local organizations such as the Great River Outreach.
"There remains a lot of work to do in this area," McCaskey said. "We're looking to build this club for the future."
Some Rotary local accomplishments include:
-- A total of 93 Rotary Scholarships awarded to local high school students. Three scholarships are handed out each year -- two for one thousand dollars and one for two thousand dollars. This year's scholarships are supported in part by two fund-raisers -- a raffle at the end of 2017 and a fish fry in the spring of next year. Rotary hopes to raise at least $3,500 for scholarships.
-- Helped bring three SMART LightRaise interactive projectors for the West Carroll Middle School, which help make learning more engaging for students, replacing chalk and blackboards.
-- 40 Vocational Service Above Self Awards given out since 1989. Service above self recognizes local residents who have an outstanding record of community service.
-- Support for the Savanna Food Pantry and the Great River Outreach.
Besides local projects, The Rotary Club of Savanna also supports efforts to improve communities worldwide through Rotary International. The international organization's most recent effort has been the near elimination of polio, formerly one of the world's most dangerous and widespread diseases and which remains a threat in only three countries -- down from 125 in 1988.
Rotary International began in 1905 in Evanston. The group began with a series of weekly meetings of businessmen and professionals organized by Evanston attorney Paul Harris. Weekly meetings would "rotate" between the officers of the members. Hence the group's name -- Rotary. From this modest beginning, Rotary has grown into a worldwide organization with more than 35,000 clubs in 130 countries. Worldwide there are 1.2 million Rotarians, according to Rotary.org.
SAVANNA - The Rotary Club of Savanna celebrated its 96th year of serving the Savanna area at Manny's Pizza with a birthday cake and a renewed commitment to raise money for local college-bound students.
"Decade by decade, we've managed to do tremendous good in Savanna and in Carroll County," said President Bryan McCaskey. "We've made a really big difference in helping people and improving the quality of life in the area."
The club, founded in 1921, celebrated with a visit from Kathy Kwiat-Hess, the district governor elect for Rotary District 6420. The club also looked back at its long involvement in the community - from supporting the local schools to local organizations such as the Great River Outreach.
"There remains a lot of work to do in this area," McCaskey said. "We're looking to build this club for the future."
Some Rotary local accomplishments include:
-- A total of 93 Rotary Scholarships awarded to local high school students. Three scholarships are handed out each year -- two for one thousand dollars and one for two thousand dollars. This year's scholarships are supported in part by two fund-raisers -- a raffle at the end of 2017 and a fish fry in the spring of next year. Rotary hopes to raise at least $3,500 for scholarships.
-- Helped bring three SMART LightRaise interactive projectors for the West Carroll Middle School, which help make learning more engaging for students, replacing chalk and blackboards.
-- 40 Vocational Service Above Self Awards given out since 1989. Service above self recognizes local residents who have an outstanding record of community service.
-- Support for the Savanna Food Pantry and the Great River Outreach.
Besides local projects, The Rotary Club of Savanna also supports efforts to improve communities worldwide through Rotary International. The international organization's most recent effort has been the near elimination of polio, formerly one of the world's most dangerous and widespread diseases and which remains a threat in only three countries -- down from 125 in 1988.
Rotary International began in 1905 in Evanston. The group began with a series of weekly meetings of businessmen and professionals organized by Evanston attorney Paul Harris. Weekly meetings would "rotate" between the officers of the members. Hence the group's name -- Rotary. From this modest beginning, Rotary has grown into a worldwide organization with more than 35,000 clubs in 130 countries. Worldwide there are 1.2 million Rotarians, according to Rotary.org.
Pictured are Rotarians Matt Jones and JoEllen McCaskey cutting the cake for the clubs 96th Birthday.