r The Springville Rotary club has been a force for good in the community as well as around the world since 1964. Much of this work goes unrecognized because many people aren’t really sure what Rotary is.r
Rotary International is the world’s first service club organization, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self. They are unaffiliated with any religious organization and membership is open to men and women.
rOver the years Springville Rotary Club has improved the community by building a large park with several pavilions, giving hundreds of scholarships, helping youth and families in need and much more.
Springville Rotary is hosting its annual Sunday in the Park car, truck and motorcycle show on Sunday, August 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Rotary Park in Hobble Creek Canyon.
The fundraising event will feature hundreds of classic cars and motorcycles as well as other unique vehicles. Steak dinners and burgers will be sold from noon until 3 p.m. Visitors can also enjoy the live entertainment and participate in raffles for thousands of dollars worth of prizes. Entry to the car show is free with a meal ticket, raffle purchase or donation.
“All the good that we do is funded by the money that comes from here,” said club secretary Mikell Johnson. The prizes from the raffle are donated by local businesses and so all of the proceeds go to the club’s projects.
The club is made up of people from all walks of life. What brings them together is their passion for service and friendship.
“There are guys in their 20s all the way up to their 80s in our club,” said Johnson. “It’s a broad spectrum of people and a good way to make friends while doing good.”
Each member also donates to the rotary foundation every year to help with Rotary International projects. Springville Rotary Club gives the most per capita of all the clubs in the region.
Johnson said as he grew up he always enjoyed doing service and helping people. He joined Rotary in college because he wanted to get involved with the community. He enjoys the comradery and the opportunities for service that he normally wouldn’t do by himself.
The club meets weekly for dinner to talk about and take opportunities to serve. They give scholarships to local kids, provide help for local families in need and participate in Sub for Santa every year.
Springville Rotary members also go on trips together to do service in places like Guatemala and Belize. The club’s annual four-wheeler and snowmobile trips build the friendship among members.
Springville Rotary Club meets Wednesday nights throughout the summer at 7 p.m. at Rotary Park, up Hobble Creek Canyon. Learn more about the club and how to become a member at SpringvilleRotary.org.
