Decade of the 2000 - History (2000 - 2009)
A new century brought about many ways to exemplify "Service Above Self" through various activities and projects. In April 2000 the club began meeting at the Mills Center at the Fair Grounds.
To help celebrate the Rotary International Centennial Celebration, the Lebanon Rotary Club undertook a three year project to help establish the Route 66 Museum at the Lebanon-Lacede County Library Center. The Club raised $66,000 to fund this unique museum project during the years of 2004, 2005, and 2006. (Pictured left/above - In 2008 The Rotarian magazine featured our club's Centennial project - The Route 66 Museum. A picture of the leadership of our club during the project)
Also, in 2008 our club donated the message marquee for the sign at the Lebanon Laclede County Library.
A significant change took place with one of the Lebanon Rotary Club's most successful and ongoing fund raisers during the decade of the 2000's when Pancake Day was moved to the Lebanon Civic Center in 2003 to coincide with the community-wide garage sale. The club went from making $300 to $400 profit, to clearing $3,000 to $4,000 with this fundraiser. By 2005 The Lebanon Rotary Club moved their meetings to the Wallace Building on Harwood.
(Picture of Pancake day at the Lebanon Civic Center.)
The club also started the Rotary Golf Tournament, which continues to be a great fund-raiser. These additional funds allowed the club to expand its "Service Above Self" emphasis in the 2000's. (Pictured to the Left)
By the early 2000's the club's Shoe Fund (Milk Bottle Fund) had been expanded to include school supplies and clothing needed by students. The club works with school district personnel to identify students and their needs. Each week club members attempt to answer trivia questions; any members answering incorrectly must pay one dollar, which goes into this fund.
The Lebanon Rotary Club celebrated the Rotary International Centennial on February 24, 2005 with a huge banquet. Governor Matt Blunt was the club's guest speaker at the event. (Pictured Above) Other special activities include a Centennial Christmas parade float, and the club's continued commitment to its Route 66 Museum Project.
A new milestone occurred in the Lebanon Rotary Club in July of 2005 when Joy Randolph was installed as Lebanon Rotary Club's first woman president. (Pictured above) Rotarian Joy states that "being the first women president for the Lebanon Rotary Club in 2005-2006 was very rewarding and challenging. My success can be credited to the long-time members who mentored and supported me during my year"
In 2005 the Rotary Club of Lebanon started a new fund raiser in association with the Brumley Sing (today's Lebanon Gospel Sing) scheduled in August of each year at the Lebanon Civic Center. During the four nights of the sing, Rotarians valet park cars for individuals who wish to have the convenience of "curb side" service. (Pictured Above)
In 2007 the Lebanon Rotary Club relinquished its Rotary Canteen Trailer, had it refurbished, and in 2008 donated it to the American Red Cross as a Disaster Relief Unit (Pictured left)
Activities of the later 2000's
Fireside Chats
Prepare Meals for Teachers
Fireside Chats
In January 2008 the Lebanon Rotary Club's Fireside Chats were rekindled. The purpose of the Fireside Chats is to gain additional ideas from the membership concerning different aspects of the projects and activities of our club. It was at this Fireside Chat that the idea of a new Lebanon Rotary Club Website originated. (rotarylebanonmo.com)
Truck of Hope
Prepare Meals for Teachers
Fireside Chats
In June 2009 the Lebanon Rotary Club sponsored one of the first of many visits to Lebanon by the Truck of Hope. The Truck of Hope distributed food to those individuals in Laclede County who had recently become unemployed and were in need of assistance.
Prepare Meals for Teachers
Prepare Meals for Teachers
Prepare Meals for Teachers
Rotarians have provided prepared a meal for teachers since the early 1980's. Here, Rotarians prepare lunch for Lebanon R-III School Staff Members at Lebanon High School on August 18,2009
Boswell "Cookout"
Scholarship Recipients
Prepare Meals for Teachers
April 2009 - Rotarians provide motivation for Boswell Elementary students for perfect attendance during MAP testing by providing hotdogs and hamburgers for lunch.
Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship Recipients
The Lebanon Rotary Club has awarded scholarships to young people attending college since the 1970's. Pitured above are the Melva Palmer Ellis Scholarship recipients for 2009.
Rotary Donations
Scholarship Recipients
Scholarship Recipients
The Lebanon Rotary Club continued to support many different community organizations in the 2000's. Pictured above is Community organizations receiving $1,000 each in 2008 and 2009