100th Anniversary
Immediate Past President Michelle and President Steve receive the 100th anniversary certificate presented by Rotary International Vice President Valarie Wafer and Rotary International Communications Chair Jeff Cadorette.
Sue, Casso Rogers, member of the 100th anniversary committee, kicked off the gala evening.
Chis Franz gave the blessing at the 100th Anniversary Gala.
District 7450 Governor Roger Taylor shared a short but inspirational talk at the 100th Anniversary Gala.
RI Vice President Valarie Wafer chats with club member and Past District Governor Charles Streitwieser.
One of the many club history displays assembled by Sue Casso Rogers.
Rotary Club of West Chester
Celebrates 100th Anniversary
Celebrates 100th Anniversary
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Members of the Rotary Club of West Chester, their families and community leaders, gathered at the Penn Oaks Golf and Country Club on December 9, 2021 to celebrate the Rotary club’s 100th anniversary.
Since 1921, the West Chester club and its members regularly put into action the Rotary motto "Service Above Self". Club members have engaged thousands of individuals and families to help raise funds for local charities, they have sponsored events to generate funds to defeat polio worldwide through Rotary International (RI) Immunization Days, provided for the installation of water systems in Senegal, West Africa, helped bring albino and other children from Tanzania and other countries to provide prosthetics for those who lost limbs due to wars or violence.
Rotarians have served in leadership positons in the Borough of West Chester and Chester County as mayors, as area chamber presidents, and academic leaders in collaboration with elementary and high schools, and West Chester University. They sponsored a Rotary Interact (high school) club, provided scholarships based on students’ volunteer leadership in their communities, and read to elementary school children, providing them dictionaries each year.
Many members have been recognized by Rotary International (RI) with service awards, by local organizations as Volunteers and Citizens of the Year, and had university buildings named for them. Rotary club members have had an impact in the community since 1921, as noted by the names of club leaders on streets such as Darlington, buildings such as Mosteller, Schramm, Lorgus and Spellman, and the Struble Trail, many reflecting the contributions of more than one generation. Members have served the community in law enforcement, in the courts, as county officials and in state government. They have served as board members and leaders on numerous nonprofit boards, some as executive directors/CEOs of area nonprofits.
During the celebration, Rotary International vice president, Valarie Wafer from Canada, presented the club with a 100th year certificate, assisted by Jeff Cadorette of Media, chair of the Communications Committee of RI. Steve Brown, current club president, and Michelle Venema, immediate past president, who have guided the club during this 100th year, reflected on the club’s history, along with Sue Casso Rogers, a past club president and gala co-organizer.
Roger Taylor, Governor of District 7450, of which the West Chester club is the largest of the 54 clubs in the district, delivered celebratory remarks noting the vitality of Rotary and Rotarians. David Houlz, Governor elect and Alyssa Harrish, assistant governor, also attended. Seven past presidents of the West Chester club have served as District Governors, and the club has sponsored the Oxford, Kennett Square, Westtown Goshen, Greater West Chester Sunrise and Rotary Passport clubs.
In addition to club members and their families, also attending were West Chester Mayor Jordan Norley, Chester County Commissioner Marian Moskovitz, Common Pleas Court Judge Jeff Sommer, and Chester County Clerk of Courts Yolanda van de Krol. An anniversary plaque will be placed next to a newly planted tree at the West Chester Golf and Country Club where members meet for lunch every Thursday. In the spring, club members will plant 100 trees in further recognition of the 100th anniversary.
It's official! We're 100 years old!
Sue Casso Rogers, past president and gala co-organizer,
Michelle Venema, immediate past president, President Steve Brown,
RI VP Valarie Wafer, Jeff Cadorette, RI Communications Chair,
Yvette Houston, President Chester Rotary,
Jordan Norley, Mayor of West Chester.
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Rob Feenan and Gary Hess and their wives toast the 100th anniversary with guests.
Patty Jefferis with Carol Hanson and Phyllis Dunn whose husbands recently rappelled to benefit Outward Bound.
Melissa Baxter and husband Aaron check out the historical displays at 100th Gala.
A Rotarian from New York visits with Michelle Venema , Bob Frame, Allison Snavely and President Steve at the gala.
Lynn Childs shows the list of wines available to Christine Scott at the Wine Pull table
Bill Winters and Cathy Palmquist, longtime friends and college rivals, enjoy the gala.
Tracy and Mark Sammarone chat with John Schwab.