The Rotary Club of Fulton is gearing up for its Centennial, adopting the slogan "A Century of Service."
The club, which was founded in March 1923, has long adhered to the motto of its international organization, "Service Above Self."
On June 22, Fulton Rotary symbolically demonstrated its charitable giving by displaying a ceremonial check for $28,148 during the club's meeting.
"The check represented the amount donated to various non-profits during the last Rotary year, which started July 1, 2021," said Mary Ann Beahon, community service chair. "We are happy to do our part. The Rotary vision statement says it best, 'Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.'"
On hand to receive checks at Wednesday's meeting were Jacque Brazas of the United Way board, Tyler Rieke of CARDV and Mike Clayton of Wonderland Camp. Each told a little about their services.
Receiving a check after the meeting was Shelly Knight of Faith Maternity. They represented just a few of the organizations that benefited from Fulton Rotary's contributions during the fiscal year.
Others include CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), SERVE, Our House, Mobility Worldwide, iCan Bike, Humanity for Children, Fulton Colleges Fund, Fulton High School Chamber Singers and Fire Safety.
Fulton Rotary also sponsored students to Boys and Girls State and RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), presented six $1,000 college scholarships and 12 Nolin Courtesy Awards to students at area schools and was a sponsor for the Chamber's Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.
In addition, Fulton Rotary annually sponsors the GW Law Award, which is presented to the law enforcement person of the year. This year, as a Peacebuilder Club, Rotarians also worked with the city to install two peace poles at community parks.
As part of Rotary International, local club members contribute to the Rotary Foundation, which works to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment and alleviating poverty.
They also donate to Polio Plus to End Polio Now. Internationally, Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease.
Not all of Fulton Rotary's contributions are financial. Members also volunteer for numerous causes throughout the year.
This year, those included repairing a handicap accessible ramp at Our House, ringing bells for Salvation Army, volunteering at blood drives, conducting mock business interviews for high school students and collecting dress clothes for JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates). They volunteered at the Callaway Bicentennial, Morels and Microbrews Festival, and the Fulton Street Fair.
SERVE was the recipient of several efforts as volunteers helped with the Back to School drive, organized the holiday coat drive, assisted with Adopt a Family and picked up bread donations for the food pantry from Panera in Columbia each month.
Fulton Rotarians collected jugs for Mobility Worldwide and helped assemble carts to be shipped to people in developing countries who are unable to walk due to illness, disease, birth defects or injuries, including those caused by landmines.
Internationally, Fulton Rotary continues to be involved in East Africa, especially with Humanity for Children's efforts to reduce the birth mortality rate and improve lives of mothers and children in Tanzania.
The organization's biggest service project locally this year has been the Fulton Afghan Resettlement Project, which expanded from a Fulton Rotary initiative to a communitywide one.
Committee members have helped settle five families (10 adults and 30 children) in Callaway County and Rotarian women hosted a baby shower for the expectant mothers in March.
Committee members have secured housing, furnishings, food, clothing, etc. They have met refugee families when they arrive at airports, connected them with local services, enrolled children in schools, helped adults obtain jobs, and provided transportation to appointments and shopping trips.
Two of the men have now progressed enough in their English skills to pass the driver's license test, an important step toward their goal of providing for themselves and their families.
"I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful organization," Fulton Rotary President Debbie Laughlin said. "Our Club truly lives up to our motto 'Service Above Self.'"