Theme: Be a Friend

1994-95 will be remembered as our Club’s 75th Anniversary!! A new Club banner was designed, and we celebrated by having several Past Presidents recall the Club highlights from their specific decade. R. I. Presi-dent Bill Huntley visited Portland in February 1995. Twelve members were honored as new Paul Harris Fellows. In addition 16 members became new Paul Harris Sustainers.

Replacing the Richmond Elementary School play-ground equipment was our major service project. We secured two significant cash grants and used the majority of our “Good Works” funds in the project. Over 40 members were involved in mentoring elementary and middle school students, plus joining other Salem Rotary Clubs in giving pocket dictionaries to every 4th grade student in Salem-Keizer and neighboring towns. Other service projects included the Christmas Tree of Joy gifts for needy children and patients in the State Hospitals and significant cash and food gifts to the Salvation Army and the Food Bank.

Our fundraisers are earmarked by two words…”fun” and “ears”…elephant ears, that is. It is fun to sell ears during the Salem Art Fair and Festival. The “Bite of Salem” was a new fundraiser in 1994. A dozen restaurants and micro-brewers set up tents during the Marion County Fair to sell their specialties. It was fun, profitable and is destined to grow. Bell Ringers remains a highlight of every weekly meeting. Our members can brag about themselves, their families, and other Rotarians for a cash contribution. 1994-95 will see us set a new record with over $4,000 in contributions. This money helps us continue all our traditions of Rotary Service Above Self. Salem Rotary lived up the 1994-95 motto…be a friend.