FAIRFIELD, (Iowa) – The Fairfield Rotary Club will celebrate its 95th anniversary on Thursday, June 11 at the Fairfield Golf & Country Club, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
The Fairfield Rotary Club’s 95th anniversary celebration will include recognition of past presidents, highlights of memorable Rotary moments and community involvement, as well as socializing about the Rotary club’s history. The celebration will include music from The Skunk River Medicine Show
The Fairfield Rotary Club was organized January 23, 1920, by Dr. J. Fred Clarke. Founding members include: Robert F. Wilson, Dillon Turney, Art G. Jordan, O. F. Fryer, Ed. C. Bock, H.A. Anspach, David Cassatt, C.W. Wade, Walter Hughes, R. H. Maxwell, H.C. Stevenson, Charles Fulton, Charles Heer, Donald McGiffin, J.E. Ireland, Charles Carter, J. Fred Clark, R. Ames Montgomery, J.C. Thorne, and Fred Hunt. The first officers were Dr. J. Fred Clark, President; A.G. Jordan, Vice President; David Cassatt, Secretary.
A tradition that began in 1926 was the annual Christmas Parade, with Santa carried in a sleigh drawn by four horses carrying treats for local children. Today, Fairfield Rotarians donate their time on Christmas Eve to bring Santa to the town square and Jefferson County Health Center bringing cheer to children of all ages.
The Fairfield Rotary club is involved in several community projects and initiatives, contributing financial resources to organizations to enhance Fairfield’s quality of life including African Violet Foundation, Beautification Committee, Carnegie Historical Museum, Carry on Bags, Chautauqua Park, Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Fairfield High School Future Business Leaders of America, Fairfield Fire Department, Fairfield Middle School, Fairfield Park and Rec, Fairfield Police Department, Fairfield Public Library, Family Crisis Center, IDE Gymnastics, Jefferson County Trails, Keep Kids Warm Coat Project, Literacy Project for Students, Middle School musical instruments, Iowa National Guard, Nature Wise Academy, Rise Africa and Swedish Rotary Club Exchange.
Another highlight of the Fairfield Rotary Club is the opportunity provided for high schools students, including the exchange student program where Fairfield high school students study abroad and Fairfield welcomes an exchange student. Fairfield Rotary distributes four, $1500 scholarships to Fairfield graduating seniors.
Many of the Fairfield Rotary Club proceeds are generated at the annual auction, where each year beneficiaries are selected and proceeds are distributed to the scholarship fund beneficiaries.
For more information on the Fairfield Rotary Club please contact Alissa Doyle Ward, 641-45-5313 or visit http://www.fairfieldiowarotary.org/.