The Rotary Club of Lenoir
The Rotary Club of Lenoir (P.O. Box 1834, Lenoir, N.C. 28645, Charter No. 3306) began in what was District 194. Because of the growing number of clubs over the years, the District changed to District 280, then to District 767, and now to District 7670.
In the summer of 1929, a group of Rotarians from Hickory came to Lenoir to explore the prospect of organizing a Rotary Club. In 1930, they contacted H. W. Courtney to get started. In February 1930, a group of twenty-one men met and signed as charter members. J Gordon Ballew was the first President and W. Clyde Suddreth was the first Secretary-Treasurer. The regular meeting was held at 12:30 on Fridays at the Carlheim Hotel. The club was accepted as a member of Rotary International on April 5, 1930.
During the 1968-69 year, the club moved from the Carlheim to the Holiday Inn and then to the Lenoir Country Club. In 1975, the club began meeting at Cedar Rock Country Club located about five miles from Lenoir on Highway 18E. In April, 2009, the club moved its meeting site to the Lenoir First Baptist Chruch Fellowship Hall. This is the current meeting location.
The club has a long history of community involvement. Early activities of the club involved securing an airport for Lenoir, suppport of Boy Scout programs and 4-H programs and purchases of library books for the county library. During the war, the club was very involved with war efforts sponsoring relief efforts and support in all avenues. In the 1940's and 1950's the club raised over $44,000 for the RI Polioplus Campaign. Other community efforts, which are all too numerous to mention, would include support of Caldwell Memorial Hospital, public schools and athletic programs, Lenoir Senior Center, school and college scholarships, the public swimming pool, greenway projects, food drives, the Red Cross, and community sports programs.
Scholarships for education at all levels have been a long-term commitment of this club. Helping children has always been a top priority. One of the oldest activities has been to provide a Christmas meal, presents and a visit from Santa to a selection of 75 disadvantaged children from the county each December. Supporting Porter Relays, Rotary Youth Leadership Camps, 4-Way Test programs and literacy projects have also been long-term engagements for the club.
The club supports the Rotary Foundation as well as local endeavors.. Since the charter, there have been 188 Paul Harris Fellows, 63 Benefactors, 35 Multi-level Donors, four Major donors and three Paul Harris Society Members. The club has made substantial donations to PolioPlus, Shelter Boxes, Wheelchair Foundation and varied relief and aid programs through the years.
Rotary Club of Lenoir has demonstrated great leadership at local and district levels. Seven members have served as District Governor. They are: Macon Williams- 1947-48, C.M. Abernethy- 1957-58, C.W. "Soup" Porter- 1965-66, Guy Bailey- 1981-82, Fred Barnes- 1991-92, George "Bill" Armfield- 1986-87, and Charles "Chuck" Troutman- 2005-05.
Rotary Club of Lenoir maintains strong membership (75) and continues to grow and promote the ideals of Rotary International. The year's theme is, "The Future of Rotary is in Your Handsl" and with each and every project and activity, we strive to work for our community.