The Las Vegas Rotary Club is gearing up to celebrate 100 years of service to the Southern Nevada community. The award-winning club is dedicated to civic and community service, supporting thousands of organizations and donating millions to Las Vegas-based service efforts in its 100 years of operation.
Founded in 1923 by a group of local business leaders as part of Rotary International, the Las Vegas Rotary Club was one of the first service organizations established in the young city. Since its inception, the club has played a vital role in the history of the city, including making the first long distance phone call in Las Vegas, which was from the Rotary Club to E.E. Roberts, the mayor of Reno.
Throughout 100 years of service, the club has supported numerous service organizations, including the Salvation Army. Last year over $20,000 was donated to their food pantry, which equates to 200,000 cans of food benefiting those in need. Since 2003, the club has honored military personnel through its Wetzel Awards program, a quarterly recognition to honor Air Force members stationed in Southern Nevada, with all-inclusive staycations on the Las Vegas Strip.
The club has donated over $1.6 million in goods and services to more than 6,300 local children in need through its annual Santa Clothes program during the holiday season, providing at-risk children with new clothes. When the program launched 27 years ago, it provided clothes for 35 children with a budget of $5,000. Last year, the organization shopped for 348 children on a $114,000 budget. In 2022, the club’s foundation was named the Las Vegas Foundation of the Year in the annual Vegas Inc Angel Awards.
In honor of its centennial anniversary the club has donated $104,000 to The Smith Center, extending its educational efforts in support of local youth across five programs for the next two years.
On April 1, 2023, the club will host a celebration to honor a century of service and pay tribute to its heritage. The event will be held at the historic Fifth Street School, located on 4th Street and Clark Street in downtown Las Vegas. The event will include dinner, cocktails, live entertainment, recognition of local officials and sponsors and more.
Over the course of a century, thousands of local Rotarians have combined efforts to improve the local community and advance the lives of the most vulnerable. As one of the only organizations that is supported solely through voluntary contributions from its members and partners, the club has made significant monetary donations and its members has devoted countless hours of service to the Las Vegas Valley and beyond.
For more information about the Las Vegas Rotary Club or to inquire about donation and membership opportunities, visit lasvegasrotary.com.
Rotary International is a worldwide fellowship and service organization with 1.2 million members in 200 countries, with 32,000 clubs. Established in 1923 as part of Rotary International, the Las Vegas Rotary Club is the first and largest Rotary Club in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Rotary Club meets for lunch and fellowship every Thursday at Lawry’s The Prime Rib. To learn more about the Club and service projects, visit lasvegasrotary.com.
