"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves," said Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who formed the first Rotary Club on Feb. 23, 1905.
Harris formed the Chicago club so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Today, there are more than 46,000 clubs and 1.2 million Rotarians, with a much grander vision and reach of service.
Today is also Rotary Club Day, celebrating the global impact made from as broad as Rotary International's support of clean water in the Horn of Africa, to local initiatives such as the Kalamalka Beach pier.
While Vernon is home to Vernon Silver Star Rotary and Kalamalka Rotary, it is also instilling the Rotarian values in a group of youth.
The Seaton Interact Club is just one example - Interact is the alternative Rotary name for youth clubs.
"At W.L. Seaton School, the students in the Interact Club are proving that leadership and service start at any age," said Amy Messner, who is the teacher sponsor of the club.
"These students are rolling up their sleeves to support both local and global causes. From raising funds through weekly pizza sales to sorting recyclables every Friday, their commitment to service is unwavering."
One of their recent initiatives was filling backpacks with essential items for unhoused individuals, which they donated to the Vernon Salvation Army.
"By working alongside Vernon’s Rotary Clubs, Seaton’s Interact members are learning the true meaning of service above self," said Messner.
"As they continue to grow and take on new challenges, these young leaders prove that small actions can create meaningful change in their community and around the world."
For more information about Rotary, visit rotary.org.
