Lake Jackson
Texas
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Rotary Club of Brazosport
History:
History began the night of December 16, 1953 in the old Hurricane Club in Clute, Texas, a Brazosport area landmark that was destroyed by fire in the 1960's. Angleton Rotary Club requested a charter and, with 20 local businessmen, began the Freeport Rotary Club.
In 1964, after years of debate and work with Rotary International, Past District Governor and Director Ed Brasher (Houston Heights Rotary Club), we were able to get our name changed to Brazosport Rotary Club (Freeport, Texas) having the same boundaries as Brazosport Independent School District.
Our membership in 1964 was approximately 30. This was also the year we began working in earnest on our now famous Brazosport Rotary Club Annual Shrimp Boil, Fish Fry, and Auction from which the proceeds are used to fund so many community projects today. Our largest project at that time was sponsoring the Retarded Children of Brazoria County. In fact, the Brazosport Rotary Club was the first to sponsor retarded children in the United States. Our guidance and foresight in introducing these young people into Boy Scout units and supporting them in conjunction with the Special Education Program of Brazosport Independent School District has gained the club recognition with Rotary International. It has been stated many times that when a new Rotary Club is formed and seeks direction for projects to pursue, they are directed to Brazosport Rotary Club for guidance in sponsoring retarded children.
In 1973 our club membership had grown to 65 + and was still growing. And so was the Shrimp Boil. By this time we needed every available member to insure a successful Shrimp Boil and Auction. Today our club has over 160 members and the Shrimp Boil has grown to be the largest fund raising project of any Rotary organization of the same size. This event now nets in excess of $100,000 annually and funds our community projects, foreign exchange programs, Rotary Foundation, and the Guerrero Surgery and Education Center in Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico (originally known as the Mexico Eye Project) .
In 1987, the Brazosport Rotary Club began inviting women into the previously all male organization. Mrs. Patricia Shell, Superintendent of Brazosport Independent School District was the first woman to join the club. Ten years later, in 1997, Serena Andrews was installed as the first woman President of the Brazosport Rotary Club.
History began the night of December 16, 1953 in the old Hurricane Club in Clute, Texas, a Brazosport area landmark that was destroyed by fire in the 1960's. Angleton Rotary Club requested a charter and, with 20 local businessmen, began the Freeport Rotary Club.
In 1964, after years of debate and work with Rotary International, Past District Governor and Director Ed Brasher (Houston Heights Rotary Club), we were able to get our name changed to Brazosport Rotary Club (Freeport, Texas) having the same boundaries as Brazosport Independent School District.
Our membership in 1964 was approximately 30. This was also the year we began working in earnest on our now famous Brazosport Rotary Club Annual Shrimp Boil, Fish Fry, and Auction from which the proceeds are used to fund so many community projects today. Our largest project at that time was sponsoring the Retarded Children of Brazoria County. In fact, the Brazosport Rotary Club was the first to sponsor retarded children in the United States. Our guidance and foresight in introducing these young people into Boy Scout units and supporting them in conjunction with the Special Education Program of Brazosport Independent School District has gained the club recognition with Rotary International. It has been stated many times that when a new Rotary Club is formed and seeks direction for projects to pursue, they are directed to Brazosport Rotary Club for guidance in sponsoring retarded children.
In 1973 our club membership had grown to 65 + and was still growing. And so was the Shrimp Boil. By this time we needed every available member to insure a successful Shrimp Boil and Auction. Today our club has over 160 members and the Shrimp Boil has grown to be the largest fund raising project of any Rotary organization of the same size. This event now nets in excess of $100,000 annually and funds our community projects, foreign exchange programs, Rotary Foundation, and the Guerrero Surgery and Education Center in Guerrero, Chihuahua, Mexico (originally known as the Mexico Eye Project) .
In 1987, the Brazosport Rotary Club began inviting women into the previously all male organization. Mrs. Patricia Shell, Superintendent of Brazosport Independent School District was the first woman to join the club. Ten years later, in 1997, Serena Andrews was installed as the first woman President of the Brazosport Rotary Club.