Founded in 1919, the Le Mars Rotary Club stands as a proud pillar of community service and civic leadership. With over a century of impact, our club has cultivated a legacy rooted in action, fellowship, and enduring commitment.
In 2019, we marked our 100th anniversary with a vibrant celebration attended by past members, presidents, and Rotarians from across the district—an occasion that not only honored our history but reaffirmed our future. That milestone year also saw us achieve and maintain the distinction of becoming a 100% Paul Harris Fellow club, a testament to our shared values and generosity. From updating our club history to completing a major service project at O’Toole Park, we continue to build on our tradition of excellence, visibility, and heartfelt service.
Larry O’Toole was a longtime physician and Rotarian in Le Mars, and the park was named after him. We have been active in maintaining and improving the park in partnership with the city for over 30 years including planting trees and shrubs, park benches, a lighted flagpole and a monument honoring Ina Gatts our first female member and president who was instrumental beginning our relationship with the
park. Next year we plan to add a Rotary pedestal clock alongside the splash pad that the city will be adding.
park. Next year we plan to add a Rotary pedestal clock alongside the splash pad that the city will be adding.
Our major fundraiser (usually our only one) is our Rotary Drug Store in Pioneer Village at the Plymouth County Fair. The past couple of years we have netted about $18,000 in profits. From the proceeds we give out $7,600 in scholarships to graduating seniors at the two high Schools in Le Mars. In addition, we donate and provide service to several youth related projects in Le Mars including a Backpack Program, Then Just Feed One food packaging, No Child Sleeps on the Floor program, After Prom Parties, a handicap bicycle program and many more.
This year we dipped our toe into a new project which was to provide volunteers to help man and run a craft beer fest with 26 brewers and over 400 attendees. Some
of the profits were shared with our club and it was very successful and a lot of fun.
of the profits were shared with our club and it was very successful and a lot of fun.
In addition to our financial support of youth, we honor 3 students each month as Student of the Month recognizing their character, scholarship and activities in and outside of school. We also honor the top 10 graduates from both high school in May and the current District Governor is invited to speak.
Finally, our club has begun a new meeting format this year. Tentatively, the first and third Thursdays will be our traditional meeting time with a program at Floyd Valley Hospital at noon. On the second Tuesday will be a service project and the fourth will be a social event. Watch our Facebook page and please join us for a meeting or event!
(Provided by John Schneider, Le Mars Rotary Club)