As the Rotary Club of Butler PM marks its 100+ anniversary, we salute this group of movers and shakers who identify the needs of this community and take action.

Many of their names can be found in the special section in today’s newspaper. Their impact as a group is undeniable.

Formed in 1920, the club was a forerunner in supporting criminal justice reform, accepting the challenge to work with boys who found themselves in a court system designed for adults. Members mentored troubled youths through the Rotary Juvenile Guidance Clinic. That work continued through the years in different forms.

When polio attacked the community’s children, the club members not only raised funds and supported the Pennsylvania Crippled Children’s Society, but Rotarians also worked to sponsor the first of several clinics in the city to address the disease in May 1923 — 24 years before Dr. Jonas Salk started working on a vaccine at the University of Pittsburgh.

The club sought out affected children through appeals such as the one in the Butler Eagle in 1927: “If you know of any crippled child in Butler County that is not receiving attention, please fill in the following coupon and mail it to the Butler Rotary Club.” Hundreds of children were examined and driven to Pittsburgh hospitals for treatment. Medical devices that they needed were paid for because of Rotary.

While the fight against polio continued on a global scale, Butler Rotarians also went on to champion other children’s health and identity causes to increase the community’s well-being.

A few examples are:

In 1948, the Butler Rotary joined with 10 other groups to sponsor the first Parent-Teacher Association in the city of Butler.

In 1970, club members showed their interest in protecting the environment and started a campaign to reduce pollution.

In 1971, they supported mental health and gave a donation to the (then) Irene Stacy Mental Health Clinic to help fund specialized staff training on youth problems.

In 1992, members zeroed in on food insecurity and started the Turkey Roundup, helping to feed their neighbors on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

In 1993, they launched a 30-day campaign that raised $50,285 to keep the doors of the Butler Area Public Library open for the summer.

In 2000, Butler Memorial Hospital received $17,000 to purchase an osteoporosis scanner after the Rotary conducted a 1% campaign.

And for decades, Rotarians have flipped pancakes to benefit Lifesteps, painted park shelters, hosted Christmas parties for disadvantaged children, awarded scholarships, funded area charities, raised awareness of issues affecting the community and recognized other community leaders whose work they admired.

The community is stronger because they believe in “Service Above Self.”

We hope they continue their efforts to address community needs and join together to make a difference.

—DJS