Rotary Club of Gainesville turns 90

GAINESVILLE - The Rotary Club of Gainesville celebrated a major milestone yesterday, marking 90 years of service to the local community.

Following official recognition from the city of Gainesville, which issued a proclamation declaring yesterday "Rotary Club of Gainesville Day," the club held a celebratory meeting in the banquet hall of First Baptist Church.

Hall County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Oliver, who has been a member of the club since 1998 and currently serves as president, said "The theme of the banquet was '90 Years of Heart and Giving to the Gainesville Community,' and so it was a nice way to celebrate our 90th birthday."

With approximately 200 individuals currently on the membership role, the Rotary Club attempts to enlist members from a wide variety of occupations to expand its reach in assisting the community.

"We try to have somebody in every occupational classification, and that's how Rotary was initially established, by occupation," said Oliver.

Participating in numerous community-development projects throughout its history, Rotary Club is currently involved in a wheelchair ramp-building project that serves as a point of pride to its members.

Oliver added, "One of the things I think that we're most proud of currently is the wheelchair ramp project that we particiapte in. We're about to build our 56th wheelchair ramp that makes homes accessible for disabled persons to use them."

As a result of its members' efforts, the club has been named "Club of the Year" in its district for two straight years.