The Centennial Celebration (2024)
Today, on its centennial anniversary, the Rotary Club of Cape Charles stands as a testament to the power of enduring ideals. For a century, its members have upheld the values of service, integrity, and fellowship, leaving an indelible mark on the town they call home. Its service initiatives, such as the quarterly highway clean-up of Stone Road, restoration of the railway caboose at the Cape Charles Museum, the holiday ringing of the bell for the Salvation Army, the annual distribution of dictionaries to Northampton County 3rd graders coordinated by Tom Godwin, and our annual campaign to donate school supplies for needy children, are ongoing commitments.
The Rotary also supports community projects via monetary donations from $150-$4000 to the Kiptopeke Elementary School, Camp Fragile Hearts, the Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of the Eastern Shore, Smart Beginnings, New Roots Youth Garden, Rise From Hunger, Main Street Festive Fridays, Citizens for Central Park, the Barrier Island Center, the Cape Charles Museum, Cape Charles Historical Society, Habitat for Humanity, Eastern Shore Food Bank, ESVA Chamber of Commerce, Arts Enter Cape Charles, the ES Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Rosenwald School Restoration Initiative, and various other community organizations. It also volunteers time to help with event set-ups, parking, painting and other services. In 2019,
for example, Robert Church single-handedly restored all of Eastville’s fire hydrants with the help of funds from the club to cover the materials. Through all these activities and more, our club clearly embodies the spirit of Rotary International's motto, "Service Above Self.”
In summary, the Rotary Club of Cape Charles, founded by 15 visionary individuals in 1924, has journeyed through a century of service, transformation, and dedication to its community. As the oldest Rotary Club on the Eastern Shore, its legacy serves as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. With its centennial celebrations, the club not only commemorates its history but also renews its commitment to making a positive impact in its community and beyond.
