The club’s first large service project was to buy and promote the sale of bonds to build a road to Savannah’s resort island, Tybee, a local tourist attraction. It took the club nine years to complete this project, but they were rewarded by being asked to “cut the ribbon” to open the road in 1923.
Like many other Rotary Clubs, our club was very active in World War I and World War II service projects that benefited service men and helped the relief efforts in Europe.
From the earliest years of our club we have supported our local orphanage, the Bethesda Home for Boys. We have provided funding, clothing, Christmas gifts and banquets, Boy Scout activities, and volunteer services.
Over our ninety-year history, we have sponsored the formation of eight new Rotary clubs in our state in nearby cities of Augusta, Brunswick, Hinesville, Savannah, and others.
We are most proud of our sponsorship, participation, and leadership in establishing the Georgia Rotary Student Program, an international foreign scholarship opportunity for students from around the world to come and study in Georgia. This program was started after World War II (in 1948) to promote world peace through friendship and scholarship.
Our club has promoted and participated in many community service projects such as Boy Scouts, educational funds, Christmas for the poor, youth sport programs, and, of course, the Rotary Foundation programs. We have raised funds to light our downtown parks (squares) and to construct water fountains and landscaping in our largest park in honor of Savannah’s hosting of the 1996 Sailing Olympics.
Two of our more famous members were General George C. Marshall of World War II fame and Dr. Charles H. Herty who pioneered many new ways of making paper.
The Rotary Club of Savannah has grown over the years and now has 240 members. Many of our members are leaders in our community and are Paul Harris Fellows.
submitted by Mr. Charles E. Powell
Club No. 95, presently in District 6920, Georgia, U.S.A.