A Century of Service
The Greensburg Rotary Club celebrates a century of giving back to the community .
By Nicole Tafe
“
Service
Above Self .” For the past 100 years , the Greensburg Rotary Club has upheld this motto and has been a staple organization of service to the Greensburg and surrounding area . As this year marks the centennial anniversary of the club ’ s founding , it allows for a special opportunity to reflect on the past while planning for the future .
In 1916 , after attending a meeting of the local Rotary Club while on a business trip in Toledo , Ohio , Frank B . Miller , an official of the Keystone Coal and Coke Company of Greensburg , returned home with intentions of forming a Rotary Club . In the summer of that year , several meetings were held and a discussion of potential members put things into motion . Twenty-two attended a meeting on July 7 , 1916 , and plans were put into place for the application of a charter for the Rotary Club of Greensburg . On July 11 , 1916 , a constitution and bylaws were adopted and the first club officers were elected .
On Oct . 4 , 1916 , District Governor Stewart McFarland of the Third District of Rotary International presented the charter to Miller , the club ’ s president , under the following four-fold theme : What is Rotary ? What is a Rotary Club ? What is the goal of Rotary ? What is the destiny of Rotary ?
Today , a century later , 85 members make up the Rotary Club of Greensburg . While new members are added often , several members have been with the club for many years , including Dr . William Courtney ( 50 years ), Dr . John Wesner ( 49 years ) and Mark Barnhart ( 45 years ).
“ The Rotary Club of Greensburg is open to any adult , male or female , of good character who has a sincere desire and interest in serving the community , and humanity in general ,” says Barnhart , who is the club treasurer . “ Many members of our club are second and third generations of families who have been previous members of the Rotary Club of Greensburg .”
The club has served and continues to serve the local community in many ways . For years it has offered Greensburg Rotary Career Assistance Awards to graduating seniors from Greensburg Salem , Hempfield Area and Greensburg Central Catholic high schools along with the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center . These scholarships are granted to individuals based on need , assessment of their ability , performance , academic and civic activities and to those who exhibit qualities of character and personality befitting the leadership of a free democratic society and who exemplify the club ’ s principle of Service Above Self . Through this scholarship program , the Greensburg Rotary Club has contributed more than $ 370,000 to the education of more than 294 students .
Additionally , the club annually purchases and distributes dictionaries to all third grade students in the Greensburg Salem and Hempfield Area school districts , as well as to third grade students who attend Aquinas Academy . Each spring these students participate in a special Spelling Bee where top prizes include iPads and the chance to ride in the Greensburg Holiday Parade .
The Rotary Club of Greensburg is also one of the beneficiaries of the Madeline Nichols Trust , established by lifelong Greensburg resident Harry Miller , in memory of his sister . As a result , the club has established a program of community grants for local nonprofits . Since 1998 , more than $ 102,550 has been distributed to local nonprofits in Greensburg and surrounding communities .
In special connection with the 100th anniversary of Rotary International ( founded in 1905 ), the Rotary Club of Greensburg purchased the LED Message Center located on East Pittsburgh Street ,
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