Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s main objective is service—in the community, in the workplace and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 35,000 clubs in 350 countries in the world share a dedication to the ideal of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
The Rotary Club of Blanco County is one of those 35,000 clubs. In the short time we have been in existence in Blanco County, our projects follow the guidelines of Rotary International to:
- Promote peace (hygiene kits in both communities of Johnson City and Blanco City throughout the county) the kits have cut down on bulling issues for many.
- Fight disease: (hygiene kits, end polio projects, Brain fitness project in both Johnson city and Blanco City senior centers and nursing homes.)
- Provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene ( our Hygiene kits, Save –A –Life project)
- Save mothers and children ( our drug free program and our human trafficking awareness program)
- Support Education: ( scholarships, PALS 0literacy program, computers, library books, AV equipment for high school, Rotary Youth leadership retreat, Blanco Education Foundation, Project graduation, and Summer Reading Camp)
- Grow local economies (sponsor golf classic that brings in revenue to local area, as well as to the Rotary; buy items for our projects locally.)
Before our local club was formed, the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks Ranch stepped in and helped in a big way with disaster relief during the flood in Blanco a few years ago. Two members of the Blanco County Club were members of the Fair Oaks club at the time and decided to start a club in Blanco County.
The Rotary Foundation transforms gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. What impact can one donation have? For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio; $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illnesses. Money donated by members (or nonmembers, as well) go toward a Paul Harris designation. Whenever cumulative donations by individuals reach $1,000that person is designated a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Blanco County currently has two members that are Paul Harris Fellows plus 6 ($7000 donations each) and four members who have received the Paul Harris designation ($1,000 donation) since the Blanco County Club started.
This money is used for service projects and a portion of that money is returned after three years to the local district to distribute as grants to the clubs. The Rotary Club of Blanco County has been the recipient of three $2,500 matching grants (one for the Blanco Education Foundation, one for AV Equipment for Blanco High School and one for chrome books for Blanco Middle School.)
Goals for the future include continuing current projects throughout the county and any new ones that project committee deems important for us to become involved in. We are also planning an international project with the Rotary Club in Palencia, Belize.
The major fund raiser our annual charity golf classic, will be held this year on April 6 at Vaaler Creek Golf Club. Registration Deadline is March 30, 2020. Please contact Bob Backle at bbww22@gmail.com or 830 330 0524 for registration team information. The money raised at this event supports all the projects that we are involved in throughout our community.