Rotary Club of Greencastle Endowment

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SERVICE ABOVE SELF The Rotarians of Central Indiana are ordinary people coming together to do extraordinary things.

Year Founded
2009

Purpose of Fund
The primary purpose of the Fund shall be to provide financial support for the Putnam County Fair and 4-H Club Association, Inc., Putnam County, Indiana.  Income from the Fund shall be used for the maintenance and beautification of the 4-H Fairgrounds sign.

History of Fund
In 2006, the Rotary Club of Greencastle chose as its Rotary Centennial project the purchase of a sign for the Putnam County Fairgrounds.  After extensive fund raising and grant writing, the sign was purchased and installed, and a little money was left over.  In 2009, Board members voted to establish an endowment for the Putnam County Fairgrounds sign and to apply for a $4,000 grant from the Putnam County Community Foundation that would match 50% of the contributions to the Endowment up to $8,000.  Officers at the time the Endowment was established were Murray Pride, President, Robert Green, President-Elect, Don VanDerMoere, Vice-President, Thomas Graffis, Secretary, and Ginger Scott, Treasurer.

What is Rotary?  (Click here for brochure)

Rotary International was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1904 with the motto:  “Service Above Self – He Profits Most Who Serves Best.”  Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace.   Rotary's 31,000 clubs in more than 165 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment. 

The Rotary Club of Greencastle District 6560 was founded in 1921 with 50 businesses and professionals, all men.  Women were admitted to Rotary International in the 1980’s.  Harry Z. Freeman was the founding president.  Jinsie Scott Bingham was the first female president in 1994.  Past President Ginger Scott, is the first deputy District Governor from the Greencastle Club.

Three Greencastle Rotarians have served as District Governor:  Floyd Hemmer, 1943-1944, James R. Pence, 1954-1955, and Edward Neary 1990-1991.  Dr. James Thomas, a Putnam County native who retired back to Greencastle, was a District Governor of West Virginia District 7550 in 1984-1985. 

The good works of Rotary are evident all over the community.  Robe Ann City Park, Big Walnut Sports Park, the Putnam County 4-H Fairgrounds, the Reality Store, and many other projects enhance our quality of life. 

Questions about membership in the Rotary Club of Greencastle should be directed to Anne Clark at 765.653.5226.

Rotary Club of Greencastle Projects 2010-2011

Community Projects

• Adopt-A-Highway clean up of SR 231 twice yearly
• Contributions totaling $4,000 for local community service organizations
• Celebration of 90 years of service
• Sponsorship of annual Rotary speech contest for county students
• Scholarships for three students to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Academy
• Participation in and financial support of community projects and activities such as Relay for Life, Giving Tree, Reality Store, Summer Enrichment, Reading Improvement Center, etc.
• Assistance to a child from Ghana to receive heart surgery through Gift of Life

International Projects

• Partnership with other Rotary Clubs on Mexico Kidney Project, Water Is Life, and Heifer International.
• Support of Rotary International's   PolioPlus Program and the Rotary International Foundation
• Contributions totaling more than $1,455 for international charities