The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur will continue its mission of Selfless Service in 2024/2025. New President Kelley Tierney recently took the helm from past President Dave Long and thanked him for his many years of service to the club as a member and president.

This year’s theme is “The Magic of Rotary” and Rotary International aims to spread the “magic” in several areas around the world. These include:

• Magic for clean water: Rotary International may not be waving magic wands, but they’re making a splash! They’ve installed water filters in places like the Dominican Republic that are turning murky water into crystal clear water. These filters aren’t magic, though – they’re the result of hard work, collaboration and community involvement. But for the boys watching the water transformation, it might as well be magic.
• Polio Eradication Act: Rotary’s goal is to eradicate polio. And guess what? They’re doing a damn good job! With only three reported cases this year, they’ve virtually eliminated polio. The Gates Foundation and other partners have joined forces and together they’ve taken polio immunization to a whole new level.
• Magic of literacy: Over 775 million people worldwide are illiterate. But don’t worry! Rotary members wave their magic wands, award scholarships, mentor students and support literacy programs in the community.
• Spells for community prosperity: They don’t cast magic spells, but they roll up their sleeves. Through service projects, they boost the local economy, protect the environment and ensure that mothers and children thrive.

In Upshur County, club members have served many needs throughout the community. Their efforts include clothing, food, medical supplies, and many other donations of time and money. They have supported numerous organizations including the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, Mountain CAP Child Development Center, Special Olympics of West Virginia, Upshur County Backpack Program, Stockert Youth Center, and Upshur County Library.

They partner with the Upshur Cooperative Parish House to assemble and distribute food baskets at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. They are also a key partner with WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital to provide much-needed, low-cost blood work to the community. Most recently, they were recognized as the 2023 Organization of the Year by the Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce.

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur is committed to serving others, promoting integrity and goodwill, and promoting peace. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit them on Facebook.