The more you know. . .
Brief facts about the Elmira Rotary Club
Since our founding . . . The Elmira Rotary Club has spearheaded or provided funding for vital projects for our community. Current projects include Dancing With Our Stars, working with Diven Elementary School, staffing the Community Kitchen, Camp STAR, and running the Youth Salute, which honors high school students.
- The Reconstruction Home, a residential facility for treating children with polio.
- Capabilities, a sheltered workshop, and training facility for our disabled citizens.
- Glove House, a residential facility for troubled youths.
- The YMCA and YWCA
- The Arctic League, which provides toys and clothes to local needy families.
- All Kids' Playplace, the area's first handicapped-accessible playground.
The first formal meeting of the Elmira Rotary Club was held in the music room of the M. Doyle Marks Store on September 13, 1916. Some of the "live wires" on the Binghamton Club motored to Elmira to help with the preliminary work.
The organization meeting was held in the same place on September 27, 1916. J. Maxwell Beers acted as temporary secretary. 72 names were recommended as charter members.
The first big meeting of the Elmira Club was held Friday, October 6, 1916, when the Binghamton Club transferred its regular meeting to Elmira, and 109 of its members came up by special train. The meeting was held in Federation Hall and the officers were formally installed. The first weekly luncheon was held on Friday, October 27, 1916.
36 Elmirans constituted the charter roll.
Leslie D. Clute, the last remaining active charter member died April 24, 1978.
In 2010, the Elmira Rotary Club has 73 members, with an active Interact Club and Rotaract Club.