April 01 1921 is far distant in the rear-view mirror. In fact that day came exactly 100 years ago yesterday (Wednesday).
And it was on that long-ago day that Belleville Rotary came to being.
Not surprisingly the club had a big gala celebration planned for the Ramada Inn in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
But because of the COVID 19 virus that couldn’t happen.
But Belleville Rotary wasn’t about to ignore such an important milestone in the club’s history.
Enter technology.
Over 60 Belleville Rotary members, along with several special guests, fired up their computers and using ZOOM video-conferencing, got together online.
There was the national anthem, toasts, special greetings, a guest speaker, and some updates on club business and ongoing projects. The celebration was chaired by President Doug Peterson.
Mayor of Belleville Mitch Panciuk, a former Rotarian, brought greetings from the city saying that the community and the world were far better places because of the work Belleville Rotary members have done over the past century.
Guest speaker Jeffry Cadorette, a Director of Rotary International, spoke from his home in Pennsylvania. “We stand on your shoulders, all of us who’ve served Rotary today, stand on the shoulders of the members and the work done by Belleville Rotary over the past 10 decades. Your community and thousands worldwide have benefitted positively from your service”.
Cadorette implored Belleville Rotary to keep meeting and working no matter what happens with the coronavirus situation. “You using this technology to get together is great. We’ve got to stay engaged. We have important and necessary work to do in all of our communities. Too many clubs are shutting down to wait the virus situation out. Don’t do that. Your work is too important”.
Belleville Rotary has done much over the past century and a book on its history is due to be published soon. Local filmmaker Gerry Fraiberg is finishing up a special documentary on the club to mark its 100 years of service.
In just the past 17 years over $1.5 million has been raised to help children in the club’s Rotary Loves Kids Golf event and another $880,000. from its Poker Walks.
A Rotary Fitness Park is now ready for installation but the work will not commence until parks are re-opened following a resolution of the current coronavirus pandemic.
