History
“WHATEVER ROTARY MAY MEAN TO US, TO THE WORLD IT WILL BE KNOWN BY THE RESULTS IT ACHIEVES.” —PAUL P. HARRIS
WHO WE ARE
Arlington Rotary Club of Jacksonville was founded in March 1971 with the help of a dozen members of the South Jacksonville Rotary club. William Easterday was our first president and is still an active member today.
Over the past 50 years our club has led in Polio Eradication donations, hosted dozens of ambassador scholars along with many community and international projects including:
- Leading the Rotary world in donations to eradicate polio worldwide in 1994-1995
- Aiding in building projects including YMCA Outreach Center, Hurley Manor Retirement Home building, a playground at Charter School in Arlington, Baxter Luther Boys & Girls Club and Woodland Acres Boys & Girls Club.
- Donated a remodeled a bus for the Boys & Girls Club to sell their vegetables as well as a 9-passenger van for The Sanctuary on Eighth Street in Springfield.
- The club remodeled and sold two homes under Baxter Luther’s guidance to raise local funds.
- Community cleanup project including garden plantings, tree planting, JU Charter Day and Tree Hill Nature Center.
- Volunteering at Porch Fest, SPAR events, annual collard green festival.
- Supporting our local schools with literacy programs and book donations.
- Drives and donations to local food banks, missions and annual bell ringing for Salvation Army.
- Matching International grants and aid for clean water, health services, education and farming in Guatemala, Uganda, Columbia, Chile, Antigua, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Grenada, Panama and Indonesia.
Today that tradition of philanthropy and volunteerism continues as we move into the Springfield area to continue the mission of Rotary.
To provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
WHAT WE DO
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to act on our world’s most persistent issues and continue to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
Join us as we unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.