Early each Friday morning at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting, you can follow the sounds of laughter and lively discussion to find the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty. The local branch of this international organization gathers weekly to meet, eat, learn and laugh together. The diverse group—women and men of all ages and from a wide variety of professional backgrounds—is united in a singular goal: service.
“We are the largest service organization in the world,” shares Steve Silverberg, Rotary president.
With more than 40 members and hard at work for 32 years, the West Chester/Liberty club is thriving in an expanding district.
“Rotary was started by a gentleman who just wanted to bring people together from different industries and do good for their community,” says Emily Hughes, former club president. “Now we are in 100 plus countries and here locally, we have clubs from Bellefontaine to Cincinnati in our district.”
The generous group of local professionals give their time, talents and treasure, individually and collectively. A blue banner emblazoned with the prominent gold Rotary wheel is a backdrop to the weekly meetings, a reminder of the importance of each member as a spoke in the wheel to bring strength to the unit, working together to push forward. Their motto is, “Service Above Self.” The inspiring momentum of the West Chester/Liberty Rotary Club is giving back with gratitude.
Rotary Club members engage in year-round community service and fundraising efforts to partner with organizations that are making a big difference in our townships: EDGE Teen Center, Reach Out Lakota, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Faith Alliance benefit from Local Impact Grants given by Rotary—$15,000 was awarded last year. Rotary also awards 32 scholarships to local high school seniors each year, celebrating students in leadership roles at Butler Tech, as well as Lakota East, West and Central.
Their generosity extends regionally through their work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, coming together with other club branches to provide supplies and skills to craft beds for children in our county who don’t have them.
“We built 80 beds for Kids in the Butler County region last year,” Hughes shares.
“We’ve set a goal to build 200 beds this year,” Silverberg adds.
Rotary Club even takes their spirit of giving abroad to Mexico, where they work with a local chapter to provide opportunities for safe water for families.
“It’s life-changing! They make over 200 water filters that go home with 200 different families,” says Silverberg.
“Those filters really provide the financial freedom to be able to continue elevating a family,” shares Hughes, who went on last year’s trip. “It’s a beautiful spot where we can make an immediate impact. It’s a vacation with a purpose,” she says.
With a natural blend of professionals from so many different areas of expertise, membership in Rotary is a networking and learning experience.
“I love being around people from different industries,” Hughes reflects about her Rotary membership. “I'm a young professional. In Rotary, I've been challenged by experiences I may not have had in my job, but I'm able to grow as a professional, meet some friends along the way and have amazing mentors. That’s what has been really valuable to me.”
Between work and service projects, Rotary members enjoy fun times together, too. They gather for regular happy hours, parties and community events.
“It’s not a social club, but we are social,” Silverberg explains. “These are lifelong friends that are like-minded and want to give service to others. It’s beautiful. It's a great club of great people that are friendly and outgoing and I’m very blessed to be a part of it.”
The Rotary wheel is a cog that functions best when it links with others for community service, learning and fun. You are invited to join in the mission of the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty. Meet the members and learn more about this philanthropic organization at upcoming events that are open to the public as listed on their online calendar.
Join the Rotary Club of West Chester/Liberty in Action
Are you interested in becoming a member of the club? The community is invited to attend these Rotary sponsored events. Registration is required for all events except the weekly meetings.
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Weekly Breakfast Meetings–Fridays, 7:30 a.m.
Quarterly Lunch Meetings–December 8, March 8 and June 7, 12 noon
VOA Museum of National Broadcasting
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Ugly Sweater Party—December 12
Ohio Eagle Distributing
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Sleep in Heavenly Peace District Bed Build—April 13
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Pickle Ball Fundraiser—April 20
The Pickle Lodge
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Mexico Water Project–Selected dates in December, January, February + March
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
The inspiring momentum of the West Chester/Liberty Rotary Club is giving back with gratitude.