Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 167 countries.
The Rotary Club of Pensacola, the “Downtown” Club, was organized March 9, 1915, with 54 charter members and was the second Rotary Club in Florida. Today, the club has over 250 members.
The club actively supports worthwhile causes both here on the Gulf Coast and around the world, causes as diverse as supporting the foundations of the University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College, to providing major financial assistance to a project supplying wheelchairs to disabled persons in Jamaica.
Through its Doers And Givers program, the club provides aid to the Manna Food Bank, Hospice programs, scholarships, the Salvation Army and other health, welfare and character building organizations. The club support of educational programs includes “Wee Read,” a literary program to for pre-school children, sponsorship of two High School Interact Clubs and the Core Values program, which takes messages on citizenship and character building into local schools.
The club continues to be a supporter of the Northwest Florida Blood Bank, just as it has for over 25 years, and has provided a new Blood Mobile.
Acting upon their respective roles within the Four Way Test, club members are leaders in the United Way and its partner agencies, in assistance to underprivileged children and those needing special health care, and as individuals they are supporters of the area’s political process, the Children’s Chorus, the Symphony Orchestra, the Little Theatre, the Museum of Art and other cultural organizations.
After more than 90 years of service above self, the Rotary Club of Pensacola is more vital than ever.