About
Short History of Augusta West Rotary Club
The club was created in 1963 with help from Rotary Club of Augusta members Dr. Gerald Robbins, who was club president at the time, and Dr. Charles Gibboney. The following objectives were incorporated in our charter: “To develop acquaintances as an opportunity of service, achieve and promote a highly ethical standard in business and all professions recognizing the worthiness of all useful occupations and to advance the international understanding of good will and peace and to promote Rotarian’s “Service Above Self ” in all business, personal and community activities.”
The new club quickly became an active organization by volunteering and sponsoring many community activities. In 1964, the Hal C. Moore student loan fund was started as a memorial to the son of Rotarian Dan Moore. The fund has since helped numerous students. The commitment to education continued in 1979 when the club held its first Sports Award Banquet to honor student who excel in the classroom as well as on the field. The club also chooses to recognize newspaper, radio and television professionals for the role they play in the community by presenting the Louis C. Harris Award to the most outstanding media personality of the year.
Augusta West has derived special pleasure from its friendship with senior citizens residing at St. John Towers, helping with numerous projects and enjoying fellowship at the annual picnic and holiday party. With the Rotary ideal of furthering international understanding, the club has been part of the Rotary Foundation and has sponsored and housed many foreign students as part of its Georgia Rotary Student Program.
In 1997, the club embarked on a yearly vacation raffle project that involves every member. Money raised in the April raffle have been distributed to numerous local and international charities. In recent years, the money has been earmarked for Camp To Be Independent, the club’s largest project, which allows children and young adults with debilitating head injuries to experience the joy of a camping experience. The club’s heritage of unique fund raisers continues with the “A Taste of Something Wild” wild game tasting event, which uses the bounty and culinary skill of local sportsmen to raise funds for the Boy Scouts of America and Alzheimer’s research.