One hundred years ago, 42 local businessmen joined together at the old Desoto Hotel downtown to form a service organization that has endured through the Great Depression, two world wars and the dawn of a new century.
So it seemed only fitting Tuesday evening that the Rotary Club of Savannah should celebrate its centennial with a black-tie gala at the Hilton Desoto Savannah, on the spot where it all began.
“The Rotary Club of Savannah has played an important role in the community, with numerous projects over the last 100 years,” said club president Michael C. Traynor.
“Among the initiatives we’ve spearheaded in recent history were the lighting of the squares, the renovation of Daffin Park before the 1996 Olympics and the donation of a clock tower to City Market. We’ve also supported Rotary’s international humanitarian efforts in Haiti and Afghanistan.”
Through its 100-year history, the Savannah club has strived to live up to the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” starting with its first major project — buying and selling bonds to build a road to Tybee Island.
That project took nine years to complete, with Rotary officials cutting the ribbon in 1923 to open the new road.
Like many other Rotary Clubs, the Savannah club was extremely active in World War I and World War II projects that benefitted those serving as well as relief efforts in Europe. From its earliest years, the club has been a supporter of the Bethesda Home for Boys, volunteering and providing funds, clothing, Christmas gifts, banquets and Boy Scouting activities for the youngsters there.
Over the years, Rotary Club of Savannah members have participated in a number of community service projects, raising educational funds, working with youth sports programs, providing Christmas for the needy and supporting Rotary Foundation programs.
The group is especially proud of its leadership and participation in the establishment of the Georgia Rotary Student program, an international foreign scholarship opportunity for students from around the world to study in Georgia. The program was started in 1948 to promote world peace and friendship in the wake of World War II.
From its original 42, the club has grown to 215 members and has sponsored the formation of eight new Rotary Clubs in cities such as Augusta, Brunswick, Hinesville and Savannah.
“As we begin our next 100 years, we want to continue to build on our record of community service while providing strong leadership and promoting goodwill toward our neighbors,” Traynor said.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Edmund H. Abrahams, attorney
George Adair, florist
Harry C. Anderson, banker
John S. Banks, pianos
Robert E. Banks, clothing
Solomon Bentschner, cigars
Irving G. Blauvelt, typewriters
Frank M. Byrne, electric sales
George S. Clarke, real estate
S. Hagood Clarke, real estate
Francis W. Dasher, printer
Fred A. Davis, furniture
William V. Davis, banker
Robert H. Eaton, accountant
Howard C. Foss, electric company
Stephen N. Harris, tires
James E. Henderson, funerals
Bert Hengeveld, pianos
J. William Hesse, dentist
John A. Hutton, printer
Walter D. Jones, pharmacy
William F. Karsner, tailor
Valmore W. Lebey, dry cleaning
Arthur B. Levy, clothing
Sidney H. Levy, clothing
Henry J. F. Ludeman, architect
J. Horace McAfee, YMCA
James P. McMahon, dry cleaning
Walter W. Metzger, jeweler
Christopher P.H. Murphy, decorating
Luke P. Pettus, advertising
Richard W. Powers, hotels
Isreal M. Prager, laundry
Tattnal R. Pritchard, cotton agent
Samuel D. Richards, osteopath
Edward S. Roberts, electric company
Fred W. Shafer, insurance
C. Vory Snedeker Sr., lumber
C. Vory Snedeker Jr., architect
Ralph Van Keuren, jeweler
Walter R. Van Ness, tile