Wheeling
West Virginia
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The Wheeling Rotary Club
History:
The Rotary Club of Wheeling WV was chartered on May 5, 1915. This was ten years after the founding of Rotary in Chicago in 1905. Through the efforts of Paul Hemeyer, a prominent man in advertising, the Club was formed with 15 charter members and Charles J. Hunter as its first president.
The Wheeling Rotary Club has always been characterized by its membership of outstanding men, and now women, representing most of the major professions and occupations in the city. During its 90 years, the weekly meetings of the Wheeling Rotary Club have been known for their outstanding and well-known speakers, informative and inspiring programs, and good fellowship. One of the unique aspects of its pre-World War 11 years was the weekly performance of a "Wheeling Rotary" orchestra.
Wheeling Rotary has always been faithful to its motto, "Service Above Self." A major emphasis has been service to children and youth. The Club took the lead in establishing a clinic at Ohio Valley General Hospital, which evolved into the Wheeling Society for Crippled Children. Wheeling Rotary was instrumental in the development of the Area Boy Scout Camp and the entire Boy Scout program. In the late 1980's members contributed approximately $40,000 to "Polio-Plus," a Rotary International program to eliminate polio from the world. This emphasis on youth continues today with the Club's sponsorship of the Wheeling Skate Park, Hugh O'Brien Youth Scholarships, the Youth Exchange program and the reading program with Madison School.
The Wheeling Rotary Club's longest continuing project has been its work with "Blind Bowlers" for 45 years. Individual club members were also instrumental in organizing and developing Oglebay Institute over the years. As a matter of fact, members of the Wheeling Rotary Club have provided leadership to many charitable, educational, character-building and cultural organizations throughout our history.
The Wheeling Rotary Club has served its country well. During World War I, the old Stamm roadhouse at Wheeling Park was fitted with dining rooms and sleeping quarters, and Rotarians and their wives were on duty at all hours serving food and hot coffee to troupe caravans moving through Wheeling on Route 40. During World War II, the Club conducted a successful drive to purchase three fully equipped ambulanced for military use.
The Rotary Club of Wheeling WV was chartered on May 5, 1915. This was ten years after the founding of Rotary in Chicago in 1905. Through the efforts of Paul Hemeyer, a prominent man in advertising, the Club was formed with 15 charter members and Charles J. Hunter as its first president.
The Wheeling Rotary Club has always been characterized by its membership of outstanding men, and now women, representing most of the major professions and occupations in the city. During its 90 years, the weekly meetings of the Wheeling Rotary Club have been known for their outstanding and well-known speakers, informative and inspiring programs, and good fellowship. One of the unique aspects of its pre-World War 11 years was the weekly performance of a "Wheeling Rotary" orchestra.
Wheeling Rotary has always been faithful to its motto, "Service Above Self." A major emphasis has been service to children and youth. The Club took the lead in establishing a clinic at Ohio Valley General Hospital, which evolved into the Wheeling Society for Crippled Children. Wheeling Rotary was instrumental in the development of the Area Boy Scout Camp and the entire Boy Scout program. In the late 1980's members contributed approximately $40,000 to "Polio-Plus," a Rotary International program to eliminate polio from the world. This emphasis on youth continues today with the Club's sponsorship of the Wheeling Skate Park, Hugh O'Brien Youth Scholarships, the Youth Exchange program and the reading program with Madison School.
The Wheeling Rotary Club's longest continuing project has been its work with "Blind Bowlers" for 45 years. Individual club members were also instrumental in organizing and developing Oglebay Institute over the years. As a matter of fact, members of the Wheeling Rotary Club have provided leadership to many charitable, educational, character-building and cultural organizations throughout our history.
The Wheeling Rotary Club has served its country well. During World War I, the old Stamm roadhouse at Wheeling Park was fitted with dining rooms and sleeping quarters, and Rotarians and their wives were on duty at all hours serving food and hot coffee to troupe caravans moving through Wheeling on Route 40. During World War II, the Club conducted a successful drive to purchase three fully equipped ambulanced for military use.