Rotary Club of Classic City of Athens - Some History | |
Welcome from the Classic City Rotary Club! Name Change Our club is also known throughout the district and world for its strong International Service component. Our members have participated as Group Study Exchange team leaders or team members to Brazil, Argentina, Norway, and Indonesia, and we have sponsored local non- Rotarian team members for a number of GSEs as well. Our club members have also provided district and state-level leadership for the Georgia Rotary Student Program, the Group Study Exchange program, the Ambassadorial Scholarships, the World Peace scholarships, district World Community Service projects, and others. Some past club international service projects have included providing a Jaws of Life for the state of Veracruz, Mexico; the District 6910 Zimbabwe agricultural support project; the Eyes for Africa cataract surgery support project; water projects in India; collaboration with Athens Academy Interact on their "Project Pallam"; construction of a bridge and latrine in the San Luis community of Costa Rica; and books and school supplies for children in Afghanistan. See more about our International Service work. Community Service and Involvement Classic City Rotary is also very involved with local service. Each year, our Rotary Club provides "sweat equity" in projects including Christmas tree recycling with Keep Athens-Clarke Co. Clean and Beautiful; MLK Day of Service; United Way Day of Caring; Salvation Army Bell Ringing; and regular service days at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. Our "Centennial Service Project," intended to help commemorate Rotary's hundred-year anniversary, entailed developing and improving a public-access plaza to the Greenway along the north Oconee River; the club has continued to hold regular work-days to maintain and improve this area since then. Classic City Rotary also is involved with JJ Harris Elementary School, in projects ranging from literacy events to essay contests to installation of walking trails and landscaping. In 2015, we built two shelters on site as well, and in 2018 planted over 60 trees. The club also provides financial support to a wide range of local organizations and agencies, varying year to year but including notable involvement with the Athens Youth Symphony; Athens Community Council on Aging; Red Cross; and more. In 2015-16, we partnered with the Athens Area Homeless Shelter; with the help of a District 6910 grant, we provided over $5000 in new furniture for staff offices and meeting rooms (desks, office chairs, client chairs, tables, cabinets...) at their new ARCH location, as well as all-new, energy saving lighting at their Barber St. location. In 2016-17 and 2017-18, the club partnered with Books for Keeps to help promote literacy and reduce the "summer slide". In 2018-19, our primary partner is the Acceptance Recovery Center. To see more about recent speakers, projects, and activities, visit us on Facebook or come to one of our meetings! |
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