Community Service

"Community Service" consists of activities that "reach out" and benefit our Louisville region and community. We do this thru:

  • Volunteer labor
  • Financial support.

As a Rotarian, you may choose to participate in community service activities in either, or both, ways. But we do expect you to participate one way or another.

The Club's largest current project is The Rotary Promise Scholarship, our 100th Anniversary gift to the community. These scholarships support students who attended Louisville's worst-performing high schools and who go on to Jefferson Community and Technical College. The Club has committed to contribute $2 million over the next few years, and the funds will be matched by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. Earlier this year, we distributed the first $250,000 installment to the college.

A sampling of other Rotary service activities includes:

  • The Scouting Committee - Boy Scouts from all over the state come here for a weekend Jambo-Rama. Our club mans concession stands, and helps in other ways. The 2011 event was held in October. Tom Roth chairs the committee.
  • Albert B. Sawyer, Jr. Youth Recognition Day - Annually, students from local high schools are honored at a Rotary luncheon meeting and receive a $500 savings bond. High school counselors are also invited. These are the "behind the scenes" unsung heroes, who are doing something worthwhile with little, if any, other recognition. The Youth/Education Service Committee is chaired by Perry Sangalli this year.
  • Habitat for Humanity - Every other year we collaborate with UPS in the reconstruction of a Habitat House; our most recent was completed just a couple of months ago.
  • The DeParty for DePaul is our major fund-raiser for the year and benefits The DePaul School for children with learning differences. The Rotary Auction committee helps organize the event and recruit sponsors. Mitch Rue is this year's chair.

Some of our other service committees include:

  • Disabled Committee
  • Public Affairs Committee
  • Youth/Education
  • Aging Committee
  • Public Affairs

Our Club distributed about $25,000 in donations to various local charities over the past year, in addition to funding the Rotary Promise Scholarship. All in all, our club can be very proud of the positive impact we have had, and are continuing to have, on the Louisville area.