Over 100 Years of Service

A quick, visual look at key Pottsville Rotary milestones—community projects, scholarships, youth programs, and major moments that shaped our impact through the decades.

1920s–1950s
1970s–1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s

1920s–1950s

1923

Helping children in need begins

Organized the Schuylkill County Crippled Children’s Society in Pottsville.
Annually supported a clinic.

1928

Hosted Rotary leadership

Entertained the 51st District Conference.

1933

Supported local higher education

Promoted and sponsored the Schuylkill Campus of The Pennsylvania State University.

1937

Recognized internationally for club-building

Honored by Rotary International for organizing the largest number of new clubs that year.
Received honorable mention in the “Club-of-the-Year” contest.

1940

Student Loan Fund established

Created to assist young people through grants for higher education.

1952

Little League Baseball launched

Organized and sponsored Little League Baseball.
Built an enclosed baseball park with playing field and stands.

1970s–1980s

1971–1972

Kidney Fund support

Raised $3,500 for the Don Kline Kidney Fund.

1973–1974

Club Foundation formed

Formation of Pottsville Rotary Club Foundation.
$16,000 contributed to the purchase price of Rotary Little League Field.

1974–1975

Senior Charity Bowl tradition begins

Instrumental in establishing the first Senior Charity Bowl Football Game.
Later that year: first Senior Charity Bowl Basketball Game—now annual events.

1975–1976

Expanded access + library support

Installed lights at Zerbey–Rotary Little League Field.
Sponsored “Glad Rags” (rehabilitative clothing store program).
Contributed $3,000 to the library.

1976–1977

Community donations + club identity

Introduced the Pottsville Rotary Song: “We are the Men of Pottsville.”
Donated an electronic scoreboard to the Salvation Army Gym.
Provided a sound movie projector to Southern Schuylkill United Way.
Supported the Michi Fund through the Crippled Children’s Association.

1977–1978

Relief efforts supported

Provided $1,000 each to Glad Rags and Johnstown Rotary flood relief.

1978–1979

Arts & culture investment

Contributed $5,000 to the Schuylkill County Arts & Ethnic Center.

1980–1981

Penn State Schuylkill + girls’ softball support

Contributed $5,000 to Penn State Schuylkill’s Capital Fund Drive.
Provided funding to establish Pottsville Girls’ Softball League Field (Forest Hills).

1981–1982

Youth softball field dedicated

Dedicated “The Pottsville Rotary Youth Softball Field.”
Purchased a typewriter for United Way.

1982–1983

Support for children’s services + youth fields

Donated $2,000 to UCP Capital Fund Drive for Children’s Home.
Donated a backstop for Little League Practice Field.

1983–1984

Community improvements

$2,500 to United Way for office automation software.
$1,000 to Clay Monument Restoration Committee.
$700 to Easter Seal Society for new office equipment.

1984–1985

Major local investments

$2,000 to Penn State Capital Fund (completing $5,000 pledge).
$2,000 for dugout (Pottsville Girls’ Softball Association).
$2,000 for septic system (County SPCA).
$1,000 for heating repairs + $600 for horseback riding equipment (UCP).

1985–1986

District recognition

Won District Award for most Rotarians attending District Conference.

1986–1987

Local history supported

Approved funds to renovate a library room for historical information on Schuylkill County.

1987–1988

Milestone year for inclusion + service

First women joined the Pottsville Rotary Club.
$4,000 donated to repair Zerbey–Rotary Little League Field.
Pledged $10,000 to Penn State Schuylkill.
Sent first student to Rotary World Affairs Meeting (Wisconsin).
Participated in “Strikeout Hunger.”

1988–1989

Community events + Polio Plus

Sponsored Penn State Concert Blue Band at Pottsville High School.
Participated in Rotary International’s World Crusade of Polio Plus.

1989–1990

Adaptive athletics + youth sports support

Purchased three sport wheelchairs for disabled athletes.
Added bleachers (Rotary Little League) and pitching machine (Railway Little League).
Provided leadership and aid to local support groups.

1990s

1990–1991

Scholarships + Rotary Foundation support

Supported girls’ softball and Jaycee Baseball improvements.
$2,000 to Penn State University Library Fund Drive.
$3,500 to Rotary International Foundation; two Paul Harris Fellows.

1991–1992

Community programs expand

$1,000 to Opera Works and $1,000 to World Blindness Outreach.
$2,000 to Penn State University Library Fund Drive.
Little League 40th Anniversary celebration.
Added multiple Paul Harris Fellows and Sustaining Members.

1992–1993

International outreach grows

Final payment on $10,000 Penn State University Library Fund Drive.
Hosted Group Study Exchange from Brazil and a German exchange student.
Supported Bosnia/Croatia relief effort.
Initiated a district project shipping used clothing to a children’s hospital in Brazil.

1993–1994

Economic development + cancer research

Supported World Blindness Outreach equipment for Eastern Europe.
$2,500 to Schuylkill County Economic Development Corporation fundraising efforts.
Raised $850 for cancer research through Relay For Life.

1994–1995

80th Anniversary + community response

Celebrated the club’s 80th Anniversary.
$1,000 donated to Oklahoma City Disaster relief.
First revision of club by-laws in 40 years.

1995–1996

Library investment + scholarships

Established Office of President Elect.
Donated $10,000 to Library Building Fund.
Three scholarships of $500 each to students.
Participated in Relay For Life and March of Dimes Walk.

1996–1997

Youth leadership programs start

Started Interact Club and Explorer Club.
$13,000 to girls’ softball field and $10,000 to Rotary Little League.
Hosted Group Study Exchange team from Argentina.

1997–1998

Club of the Year

Named Club of the Year in District 7370.
Added 15 new members and recognized new Paul Harris Fellows.
Raised $10,000 for Rotary Charities through Wheels and Deals.
Supported purchase of laundry equipment for a hospital in Bolivia.

1998–1999

Scholarships increased

Scholarships increased to $1,000 for Pottsville Area, Nativity BVM, and Penn State Schuylkill students.
$1,000 sent to Kosovo.

2000s

1999–2000

85th year + children’s opportunity grant

Donations exceeded $12,000 to community organizations.
Obtained a $5,000 Rotary International Children’s Opportunity Grant for Little League and girls’ softball.
Contributed over $7,500 to the Rotary Foundation (funds raised through “Wine and Dine”).

2000–2001

Create Awareness — Take Action

Supported community projects including Rotary Little League and local health initiatives.
Continued support to the Rotary Foundation for international projects.

2001–2002

International impact expands

Supported an international service grant to buy a bus for blind students in India.
Hosted an exchange student from France.
Continued support for local service projects including Rotary Little League.

2002–2003

Hops, Vine & Dine + Polio Plus

CAP grant: equipment for a special needs playground at St. Joseph Learning Center.
Hops, Vine & Dine raised $7,500 for the playground.
Raised over $4,000 for Polio Plus (with a three-year goal of $10,000).

2003–2004

Lend a Hand

Supported community needs including girls’ soccer and Rotary Little League retaining wall rebuilding.
Recognized Rotarian of the Year.

2004–2005

Rotary Centennial + Literacy Walk

Participated in Rotary International’s 100th birthday celebration.
Received Rotary International Citation for organizing the first Literacy Walk.
Supported disaster relief efforts and numerous local causes.

2005–2006

Service Above Self

Continued support for Literacy Walk, Rotary Little League, Boy Scouts, and Youth Basketball.
Annual scholarships continued; first Group Study Exchange participant.

2006–2007

Over $11,000 donated

Supported youth sports, music programs, literacy efforts, and scholarships.
Membership campaign added 5 new members.

2007–2008

Rotary Shares

Student of the Month recognition continued for Nativity and Pottsville students.
Organized local blood drives; supported clean water initiatives and shelters.
Supported water filters for Guatemala.

2008–2009

Make Dreams Real

Continued Student of the Month and scholarship programs (including Penn State Schuylkill).
Hosted first Necho Allen Nite at the Movies to raise money for local charities.
Polio project support continued.

2009–2010

The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands

Fundraisers supported local charities; Polio support continued.
Received district recognition for website and public relations/news coverage.
Service Above Self award recognized leadership in the community.

2010s

2010–2011

Building Communities, Bridging Continents

Continued scholarships, holiday support, and Salvation Army bell ringing.
Hops, Vine & Dine supported Schuylkill County VISION and the Historical Society.
“Purse-onalities” fundraiser raised $5,000 for Rotary Charities.
Polio eradication commitment continued (including Pedal-Out-Polio).

2011–2012

Grants + strong community participation

Received first District Simplified Matching Grant (Gordon Nagle Trail Little League Field upgrades).
Supported scholarships for Nativity, Pottsville, and Penn State Schuylkill.
Participated in cleanup days, Make a Difference Day, and Salvation Army Kettle Day.
Supported Polio Plus; hosted a rest stop for Pedals-Out-Polio.

2012–2013

Peace Through Service

Purchased a ShelterBox (deployed to support Syrian refugees).
Fundraisers benefited Hillside SPCA and Rotary Little League.
Launched a weekly 50/50 drawing benefiting Polio Plus.

2013–2014

New meeting home + community garden improvements

Moved meeting place to Vito’s in Saint Clair.
Improved Bunker Hill Community Garden with water service and storage shed.
Received a District Grant for a new backstop at the Nativity Field.
Supported Polio Plus and continued scholarship programs.

2014–2015

100th Anniversary celebration

Gala Dinner Dance held April 17, 2015 at Mountain Valley Golf Course.
$10,000 Anniversary contribution split between YMCA computer lab and school technology enhancements.
International support continued for Polio eradication and disaster relief (ShelterBox).

2015

Minersville Rotary merger

Minersville Rotary Club merged into Pottsville Rotary.
Expanded Student of the Month and Scholarship Programs to include Minersville Area.

2015–2016

Second century of service

Scholarships awarded to Minersville, Nativity, Pottsville, and Penn State Schuylkill students.
Hops, Vine & Dine supported partner charities (including music and child development organizations).
Continued support of Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus, and ShelterBox.

2016–2017

Scholarships + ongoing service

Scholarships continued for graduating seniors at Minersville, Nativity, and Pottsville.
Hops, Vine & Dine and community service participation continued.
Support of Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus continued.

2017–2018

Scholarships expanded

Scholarships awarded to Minersville, Nativity, Pottsville, and a Penn State Schuylkill student.
Annual fundraising and service participation continued.

2018–2019

District Matching Grant + local support

District Matching Grant secured for St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen water heater system.
Continued Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus support.

2020s

2019–2020

COVID-19 impacts operations

Scholarships continued for Minersville, Nativity, Pottsville, and Penn State Schuylkill.
Successful fundraisers supported partner charities.
In-person meetings ended in March due to the pandemic.
Officers Installation Dinner held in June 2020.

2020–2021

Virtual operations + continued giving

Board meetings held virtually; increased online capabilities.
Scholarships continued, including Penn State Schuylkill.
Supported Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Drive.

2021–2022

Returning toward normal

Virtual Board meetings continued; scholarships continued.
Supported Salvation Army Kettle Drive.
Held a fall gift-card fundraiser for Rotary Charities.

2022–2023

Hops, Vine & Dine returns

Premier fundraiser returned in September 2022 after a two-year absence.
Partner charities included Servants to All and Schuylkill Choral Society.
Scholarships and community participation continued (including United Way Day of Caring).

2023–2024

Membership growth + new community projects

Added seven new members and lost six (net +1).
Received Zone 33–34 Silver Certificate for Membership Action Plan (MAP).
Created “Discover Rotary – Pottsville PA” presentation to support recruiting.
Added service projects including cleanups and Wreaths Across America efforts.

2024–2025

Youth focus + scholarships grow

Weekly programs covered a wide range of community and civic topics.
Continued Students of the Month (Pottsville, Nativity, Minersville) and scholarships (including Penn State Schuylkill).
Hops, Vine & Dine welcomed 160 attendees; profits shared with Nativity Preservation Society and Pottsville Fire Department.
Launched Minersville High School Interact Club.
Initiated scholarship program with Lackawanna College for Rotary youth and Rotarian families.

Want to be part of the next chapter?

Rotary is neighbors helping neighbors—through service projects, youth programs, and community partnerships that make Pottsville stronger.

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MEETINGS: Wednesdays • 12:15 PM
Vito’s Coal-Fired Restaurant
St. Clair, PA

ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1313, Pottsville, PA 17901

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