The Rotary Club of Waynesboro proudly commemorates a century of service to the Waynesboro community.
Throughout the 100 years, the club has been an advocate for altruistic causes, both local and worldwide, embodying Rotary International’s motto of “Service Above Self.” The club has a number of service projects planned in honor of the centennial.
Rotary International was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris and business colleagues in Chicago. In 1923, Waynesboro and Basic City merged and a group of friends met regularly to discuss topics, such as the merger. From this group, with the support of the Staunton Rotary Club, an application was made for a Waynesboro club. Documents show that in 1924, John Nobel Maxell signed up 24 men to form Waynesboro’s first service club.
The first service project reported for the Rotary Club of Waynesboro was in 1925 to beautify the library grounds at a cost of $97. Throughout next 100 years, numerous hours of volunteer work and donations have helped support the community. Some organizations that the Rotary Club of Waynesboro has donated to or volunteered with include the YMCA, the Boys and Girls Club, Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth, The Salvation Army, Wayne Theatre, Augusta Regional Dental Clinic, Waynesboro Public Library and Habitat for Humanity.
Initiatives of the Rotary Club of Waynesboro include Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), a program for high school juniors and seniors who have shown leadership potential; recognizing community members with service awards; a scholarship program for local students; worldwide service projects; and international youth exchange program.
The Rotary Club of Waynesboro kicks off the centennial year on July 11, 2024 at their weekly meeting. Club President Lora Hamp, Legal Counsel and Director of Nonprofit Relations with Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, will lead the club in its 100th year.
“We are excited to celebrate 100 years of service to the community and look forward to continuing our legacy of service into the next century,” Lora Hamp said.
For the centennial, the club will focus on a local nonprofit each month for service opportunities. The largest centennial project will be the design and installation of the Rotary Traffic Playground, a collaborative effort with the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth and the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation, financially supported by five additional Rotary Clubs. The innovative playground will provide children with a safe environment to learn about traffic safety and bike handling skills, reinforcing the club’s commitment to youth and community enrichment.
The club has a centennial exhibit at the Waynesboro Heritage Museum in collaboration with the Waynesboro Kiwanis Club that formed slightly later in 1925 and is also celebrating 100 years of service to the community.
“We are particularly honored to be celebrating our centennial alongside the Waynesboro Kiwanis Club as they mark their 100th anniversary this year as well,” Hamp said. “Our Club is grateful to the Waynesboro Heritage Museum for partnering with us to present a special centennial exhibit, which not only displays the histories of the two clubs, but also celebrates the spirit of service that continues to thrive in our community.”
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Rebecca Barnabi
