Louisville Club has busy Fall
By Allen Gress, Secretary
By Allen Gress, Secretary
The Louisville Rotary Club’s 2019-20 program got off to a busy start with their annual Installation banquet the end of June. Besides the induction of the new cabinet of officers, the club welcomed a booklet of the club’s history. With the title A History of the Louisville, Ohio Rotary Club 1925 to 2019, the 32-page booklet is complete with individual color photographs of the membership. Other highlights include the story of the club’s founding in 1925, a history of the community, a history of Rotary International and a running summary of projects over the years. Copies are available and would be mailed to those Rotarians interested. Call 330-453-2938 and a copy will be mailed to you.
The club was immersed in their flag leasing program in July with about 1500 flags posted for the six holidays beginning with Memorial Day and concluding with Veteran’s Day. Club members do most of the flag installation and removal, but receive help for some interested community volunteers. Profits from the flag program fund various community projects such as the splash pad which was competed this August following a year’s planning in conjunction with the Louisville Parks Department. The splash pad became an instant success and was well worth the club’s $35,000 donation.
All summer and into fall the first Saturday of each month, the club sponsored a Farmer’s Market in the downtown district.
Also in August, we welcomed two foreign exchange students, both from South America. They will spend the year attending school and leaning about American culture. The Louisville Club has sponsored at least one foreign exchange student for the past 25 years.
It’s Constitution Week in September and the club funds the week with a $2,000 donation, plus members work the parade lining up the 100 or so floats, parking cars, driving convertibles for the exchange students and the Louisville Citizen of the Year. The club has for the past 30 years honored an outstanding person as the Louisville Citizen of the Year.
This October, we are working to obtain about 100 winter coats, hats and gloves that will be handed out to needy children in the school district. The club also does a cleanup of the Stark Parks walking trail that runs through the city.
We have for many years pledged $1,000 for Polio Plus and contributed to other Rotary International projects. We have also helped the Community Cupboard, a food bank, several programs in the schools, the local historical society and the public library.
The evening of October 23, working the the local Eagles Club, we are hosting a candidate night for all city, township and school board candidates.
In November the club’s annual pancake breakfast fundraiser is held at the high school and in early December the club will work with the Chamber of Commerce for the annual Christmas Light Up Louisville night.