The Clayton Rotary Club had a remarkable year in many ways, which is why it won Best Club for 2015. The Governor of District 7710 has only awarded the Best Club twice in the last four years.
Governor Matthew Kane called the Clayton Rotary Club, “a Vibrant Club with energy and purpose.” He mentioned that the president of a local club told him “Matthew – I’ve begged my own club members to visit the club to see how much fun a Rotary Club can be.”
At a local level. the club was involved with a number of community service projects. Last fall, the club helped in a significant renovation of Harbor House, a Johnston County women’s shelter. Last spring, the club donated $5,000 to the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina, for children of dysfunctional families. Recently, it launched a significant project to equip three Johnston County long term care facilities so they can implement “Music and Memory” programs for Alzheimer’s patients. In April, the club shared with other Rotary clubs in the county, the District’s Distinguished Service Award, for creating facilities for special needs children at the Miracle League Park, Smithfield.
The club has also been active at an international level. Earlier in the year, seven members went to the Dominican Republic to help build latrines and provide public hygiene education. Recently, a member of the club went to Nepal for two weeks to provide humanitarian aid to the earthquake devastated country. Club member, Leigh Hudson, has sold commissioned prints called “Rotary – Doing Good for the World”, which has raised over $20,000 that will purchase over 34,000 doses of polio vaccine, drawing the world closer to the Rotary International goal of eradicating the world of polio by 2018.
In the last year, the club has seen a 50% increase in membership to over 75 members. The club members have contributed over $23,000 to The Rotary Foundation the charitable arm of Rotary that supports thousands of projects for the needy around the world.
The Clayton Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. at Rainbow Lanes, Clayton. This year the club celebrates its 90th Anniversary. For more information visit the www.Clayton.Rotary-clubs.org or contact Club President Darrella Cavenaugh at 919-634-5493.
Contributed story and photo
