Caldwell Rotary Club

During the spring of 1982 a group of Lenoir area residents began efforts to start a new Rotary Club in the community. Those efforts became the beginning of Caldwell County Rotary Club.

Official meetings of Caldwell County Rotary Club began at 6:44 AM. Former Lenoir Rotarians Dave Evans and Bob Styres, Sr. were the leaders in establishing the club. Evans became the first President of Caldwell County Rotary Club. It started with 34 charter members.

The official "Charter Night" celebration was held on September 2, 1982 at Cedar Rock Country Club. District Governor Aaron Hyatt from Sylva, who later went on to serve as Rotary International Secretary was among the special guests. Past District Governor Guy Bailey and long-time Hickory Rotarian Walter Nau also spoke.

Members went to work almost immediately in the community. A scholarship fund was established. The roots of High School soccer were formed as the club purchased goals and balls for each school. The games were played at Mack Cook Stadium. Caldwell Rotary's team won the annual Lenoir Rotary Golf Tournament and it helped to spark a friendly rivalry between the new club and its founding sponsor. In January 1983, the club had its first 100% attendance day, but ranked among the best attended clubs in the Rotary District.

Support o the young people in this community has always been at the heart of the club. On-going support for the Boy Scout Program began in 1983 - 84 year. That year also saw Caldwell County Rotary take the diamond at Lenoir Little League for the first time. Youth Leadership Camp attendees also got scholarship help from Caldwell County Rotary. The Rotary International effort to eradicate Polio from the world began during the 1984 - 85 year. Under the leadership of Jerry Kayhill, Caldwell Rotary contributed over $4500 to the "Polio Plus" effort that first year.

The Caldwell Senior Center opened during the 1986 - 87 year and Caldwell County Rotary played a major role. The club paid for the decoration of the Senior Center Lobby, and furnished much of the labor for the effort. The club members participated in a group study exchange that featured a team from Uruguay. Lobbying efforts by the Caldwell County Rotary members led to the Hibriten High School Chorus being featured entertainment at the Annual District Conference held at Lake Junaluska. Bob Styers Sr. became the first member to attend the International Conference held in Munich. John Dillard led the club effort at the County Fair Food Booth and we raised over $2600.

A growth spurt hit the club in the late 1980's, Eighteen new members joined Caldwell Rotary during the 1987 - 88 year. The club closed the year with 60 members. For a few years, a Labor Day Fun Day was sponsored by the club as the big fund raiser. It was held at the Lenoir Optimist Park. Total club participation made it a successful, but labor intensive event.

Jerry Hodge was the club President during the 1988 - 89 year. The Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame was formed that year and the first induction ceremony was held. Scholarships totaling $1400 were given to deserving students. Funds were given to support academic booster programs at the three high schools.

Caldwell County Rotary was 66 members strong when the 1990 - 91 year ended. Fifteen new members joined the club during the Ron Beane was President. Attendance averaged 93% for the year. Caldwell Rotary had 20 Paul Harris Sustaining members and donated over $5000 to the Rotary Foundation. Over $5400 was raised in the Wal-Mart raffle sales. Not everything has been great over the years. A "can't miss" fund raiser that failed, came in the 1991 - 92 year. In conjunction with the Bridge to Bridge Bike race, Caldwell Rotary members worked during the early morning hours to provide breakfast for early risers. It was a lot of fun and fellowship, but it only netted 21 cents after the bills were paid. So, we sold more raffle tickets at Wal-Mart, netting $6500.

The years continue to mount. Caldwell County Rotary Club at Twenty is still a major contributor to the community, the region, the nation , and the world through Rotary International. Rotary is unlimited in resources and energy, capable of taking on anything you can conceive. Our members have given a great deal. The benefits if Rotary membership are many, too numerous to name. Every member of this club has gained through his or her membership. It's up to us to keep moving forward.

After all, "service Above Self" is the watchword for any Rotary Club.