For more than sixty years, the Smyrna Rotary Club has been living out Rotary International’s timeless motto: Service Above Self. Since its founding in 1963, the chapter has been a steady presence in the community, drawing together neighbors who share a simple but profound mission—using their time and talents to give back.
That spirit of service shines especially bright in two projects that have become cornerstones of the club’s work.
Every other week, members gather for Backpack Buddies, a program that provides weekend meals for students at Green Acres Elementary School. For many of these children, school lunches may be the most reliable meals they receive, and without the bags of food packed by Rotarians, weekends could mean empty stomachs. The packing days are lively affairs—food is picked up, bags are lined up, systems are improvised, and plenty of laughter rings out as members and friends of the club pitch in together.
It’s work fueled by gratitude. “Every bag we pack is an expression of gratitude—gratitude that we have the ability to give, and gratitude that these children will have food to take home,” shares current club president Lauren Blankenship. Even though members may never see the children’s smiles when they open the bags, there’s a deep thankfulness in knowing the effort truly matters.
The chapter also embraces the hands-on work of caring for their city through the Adopt-a-Mile program, partnering with Keep Smyrna Beautiful to clean a mile-long stretch of South Cobb Drive from Lake Drive to King Springs Road. Once a month, Rotarians don their safety vests and gloves, tackling litter and leaving the roadway refreshed. Current president Lauren Blankenship explains, “There’s something humbling about clearing away trash and seeing the road transformed. It’s a visible reminder of what can happen when people come together with gratitude and a shared purpose.”
Behind these projects is a rich history. Since being chartered in 1963, the Smyrna Rotary Club has cultivated a tradition of fellowship and service. Longtime members have given decades of their lives to the club, while newer members step forward to continue the legacy. Each meeting and each project is a link in a chain that stretches back more than half a century. It’s a story of gratitude for those who paved the way and for those who carry the torch today.
And it’s also a story of community. Rotary is known worldwide as a “family of service,” and in Smyrna that rings true. Members describe it as a place where people of action set aside distractions, roll up their sleeves, and work side by side. The bonds formed in service projects often become lifelong friendships—gifts as meaningful as the projects themselves.
As the season of thankfulness arrives, the Smyrna Rotary Club is a reminder that gratitude is best expressed through action. From feeding hungry children to beautifying city streets, these neighbors are proving that Service Above Self is more than a motto—it’s a way of life.
Rotary at a Glance
Rotary International
A global network of neighbors and leaders who put gratitude into action. Guided by the motto Service Above Self, Rotary clubs fight hunger, support education, protect the environment, and promote peace—while building lifelong friendships.
Smyrna Rotary Club
- Meets: Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m.
- Location: Taylor-Brawner Hall, 3180 Atlanta Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080
Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club
- Meets Wednesdays, 12:00 pm
- Location: Copeland's Cumberland - 3101 Cobb Parkway, Suite 220 Atlanta, GA 30339