About Our Club

Paul Harris and 3 Chicago businessmen met in 1905 to promote and encourage the ideals of helping others, to maintain high ethical standards in business dealings, and to advance international understanding, good will and peace. Rotary and its motto, "Service Above Self", was born. The idea expanded nationwide. In 1925, the Hastings Club was chartered. After 10 years, the club expanded to include the villages of Dobbs Ferry and Ardsley, thus forming the Tri-Village Club. In October 1987, the Tri-Village Club inducted its first female member, becoming one of the first clubs in District 7230 to offer membership to businesswomen. In 1998, the Tri-Village club became the Quad-Village Rotary Club after inducting several members from the village of Irvington. In 2016, the Quad-Village Rotary Club became the Rivertowns Rotary Club to better reflect its membership and service area. 

 

Throughout its history, the Rivertowns Rotary Club has sought to serve its local community through the establishment of innovative, needs-oriented activities and sponsored programs ranging from Girl Scout Camps to Senior Citizen programs. Today, the club sponsors projects including two college level Rotary (Rotaract) Clubs at Mercy College, Holiday Toy Drives, Children's Reading Programs, Youth Leadership Programs, the Pajama Program, and High School scholarships for all four local high schools. The Club has also contributed financially to a variety of community organizations including three local youth agencies, ACS Relay for Life, and Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD). 

 

Over the past 40 years, Rivertowns Rotary has become engaged in an ever-increasing number of international service projects. The Club was an early participant in the Gift of Life Program, bringing young children from overseas to the U.S. for life-saving heart operations. Through the Rotary Foundation, our club has donated thousands of dollars to help eradicate polio worldwide and to financially support international scholarships and Peace Fellowships to outstanding college graduate students. The Club has also been actively involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, hosting students from such countries as Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey.  By means of World Community Service Projects the Rivertowns Club has shipped much needed tools, medical equipment and schoolbooks to developing nations as well as sponsored numerous water projects throughout Africa. Additionally, through small, self-identified projects the Club has provided school uniforms to students in Nepal and has helped support a school for destitute orphans in Africa. 

 

The Rivertowns Rotary Club is justifiably proud of its first 90 years. But that is history. The Club shall forever strive to ensure that its motto, "Service Above Self", continues to be the driving force behind all of its efforts during the 21st century.