In early 1998, Rev. Joseph Kerr and Col. Kemp Denning led the effort to start a Rotary Club in Clarke County, Virginia. Both of these visionary men realized Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” had the potential to bring together community leaders to lead worthwhile service projects and to provide fellowship and support members.

In May 1998, this effort was approved by District 7570 Governor Rae Carpenter, and the Rotary Club of Clarke County was formed. The Club’s Charter Night, with 26 members, was held at the Battletown Inn on October 10, 1998. It was a signal achievement that the young Rotary Club was able to also sponsor the formation of an Interact Club at Clarke County High School while the Clarke County Rotary Club itself was being organized.

Joseph Kerr was an inspirational leader. He identified and wooed prospective members, secured the Battletown Inn as a meeting place, organized an Interact Club at Clarke County High School, and designed the Clarke County Rotary Club’s trading banner with its depictions of county historical places and facts. He served as President of the Clarke County Club in 1998 and 1999, and was succeeded by many strong community leaders.

The Early Years

During the first 10 years, the Rotary Club of Clarke County took the motto of “Service Above Self” seriously. Major accomplishments during these years included:

• Funding a 25,000 five-year grant to the Barns of Rose Hill

• Providing support to the Clarke County Band Association to purchase uniforms and instruments

• Awarding an annual $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior from Clarke County High School

• Sending a club member to India to immunize children from polio

• Working on hunger projects

• Providing materials for a secondary school in Tanzania

• Providing assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas to those less fortunate in Clarke County

To fund these worthy projects, the Club sponsored a variety of fund raising events, including serving cheese at local wine festivals (such as the Wine Festival at Long Branch), hosting a charity golf tournament, supporting benefits at both the Winchester Little Theatre and Wayside Theatre, having pancake breakfasts, and providing hot dogs during Berryville Days.

A Second Decade

Since those early years, the Rotary Club of Clarke County has continued to thrive. Dale Coumes became the first female president and was succeeded by five more female presidents. The club formed The Rotary Club of Clarke County Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit civic organization. The motto of “Service Above Self” was alive and well, as the Club continued its work with the following projects:

• Building The Clarke Rotary Shelter

• Providing food for the Snack Closet Program at Clarke County Elementary Schools

• Distributing food for Social Services food pantry

• Supporting FISH

• Working with Social Services to give food to families in need at Thanksgiving and Christmas

• Supporting Froggy’s closet (an organization to help children placed in foster care)

• Awarding two $1,000 scholarships to senior at Clarke County High School

• Sponsoring an active Interact Club at Clarke County High School

• Sponsoring the Rotary Student of the Month program, recognizing 12 outstanding Clarke County High School students

• Funding and supporting the Summer Reading Program at Clarke County Public Library

Moving Forward in Service

As the Rotary Club of Clarke County moves through its third decade, “Service Above Self” influences all initiatives. The Club continues to meet each Wednesday at Berryville Presbyterian Church, inviting local businesses and community members to be a partner in service. Current community projects include:

• Sponsoring an active Interact Club at Clarke County High School

• Awarding two $1,000 scholarships to seniors at Clarke County High School

• Serving Veterans at the American Legion Auxiliary with “Sweats for Vets”

• Distributing food for Social Services Food Pantry

• Purchasing gifts for the Holiday Angel Tree Program

• Supporting and funding Clarke County Reading Programs

• Supporting the Shenandoah Arts Council

• Supporting a Disaster Relief Project with Berryville Presbyterian Church

• Sponsoring the Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG)

• Organizing an American Flag Display at our Community Fourth of July Celebration

To support these community projects, a variety of new fundraising events have been created, including Bundles of Joy gift card baskets, the Honor Flag Project, and the Egg My Yard Spring fundraiser.

Rotary International’s signature project is the eradication of polio throughout the world. Our Club passes a Polio Plus Jar at each meeting to collect funds to immunize children from polio, contributing more than $23,000 to support this project.

A strong thread of service is woven through the history of the Rotary Club of Clarke County. Whether it is partnering with other community agencies, funding of and volunteering for our own worthy projects, or connecting volunteers in our district, we continue to make a positive difference in our community. With a strong foundation and a vision for the future, the Rotary Club of Clarke County will continue to thrive.