A Heart for Service

Two Daves, Gary and Mark work to frame out the ramp.

Rich and Dave digging post holes.

Tom at the top of his brand new ramp.

Who is Rotary for? What are the “qualifications” to be a Rotarian? These are two common questions anyone who has been around Rotary has probably heard (in one form or another), or perhaps has even asked themselves at some point along their Rotary journey.

The answer is simple:

Rotary is for anyone with a heart for service.

Anyone.

You don’t have to be a business leader, elected official, or other big wig in town. There are no financial giving requirements. There is no secret ceremony with sacred rites. If you have a heart for service, Rotary is for you.

That ethos was on full display when one of our long time and beloved members, Tom, faced some health challenges. Numerous club members (including but not limited to those pictured) showed up one day to lend their expertise to the cause. That cause? Building a brand new wheelchair accessible ramp at Tom’s residence.

We’ve all either had a health issue ourselves, or have known a loved one going through something. So many worries quickly pile up. One of them should not be how to get in and out of one’s home.

Thankfully, our club is full of people with heart for service. And in this case, full of people who are handy with tools.

In Rotary we often focus on outward facing issues, like fighting to eradicate Polio, providing clean water, stocking food banks, and assisting in disaster relief. Those are all important and noble endeavors. Those efforts, however, can also be big and abstract. It can be hard to see your individual impact in an effort so big.

This ramp for Tom, however, is tangible. It’s right there. You can see the impact it has made not just for Tom, but for his family as well.

It’s that heart of service, again, that can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Big global projects. Small neighborhood projects. Everything in between. That’s Rotary.

Rotary’s official website reads, “Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

If that sounds like you or someone you know, visit rotary.org/join to find a club near you.

And finally, THANK YOU to those who worked on this very important project.