Bridgeport Rotary celebrates 60 years
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THE BRIDGEPORT Rotary Club celebrates a milestone of 60 years of service to the community of Bridgeport. In 1949, the Club, was chartered with 15 members of the business community of Bridgeport and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Barnesville. Today, they remain active and dedicated to the community. They received a citation from International President, John Kenny, of Scotland, for their dedication and continued success in Rotary. District 6690 District Governor, Ram Gawande, of Athens, also praised the members of the club for their accomplishments.
Throughout the years, the club has supported many local projects and organizations such as the Bridgeport Library and Bridgeport High School sports, Close-Up, band, after prom activities and even helped purchase a buffalo for the Good Zoo at Oglebay.
On the International level, Bridgeport Rotary, has supported the efforts of Rotary International to eradicate Polio, supplied a water well for a village in Africa, built public bathrooms in India, and continue their support of an orphanage for children whose parents have died of AIDS in Kenya. The Shelter Box project which provides potable water, shelter and food for those involved in natural disasters such as: Hurricane Katrina, the Tsunami in Indonesia and the earthquake in Haiti, is another project that the club has committed to supporting. So far, four shelter boxes have been purchased by the club. This year, the club organized its first dinner and ice-cream social for more than 100 international students who are studying in area high schools and colleges.
The Bridgeport Rotary Club sponsors two Interact Clubs, one at St. John Central High School in Bellaire and the second club at Bridgeport High School. They remain involved with the students and their projects, and the students help the club with dinners, fundraisers and other projects. Interact Clubs encourage community service, leadership, ethics, and involvement in local and international projects. The Club also sponsors a Vocational day at Bridgeport High School for sophomores and seniors with many club members explaining their vocations to the students and giving them a basic idea of the kind of education they need to acquire to be successful in those fields.
Currently, the club has 28 members, all business and professional men and women of the Bridgeport area and after 60 years, still has one charter member present and involved with the club. Allan Marty, lifelong resident of Bridgeport, holds this honor.
The club thanks Allan for his foresight in recognizing the value of Rotary and his dedication to the success of the club for 60 years.
