By Tim Evans
Index Reporter
Planning to celebrate 100 years as an organization, the Rotary Club of West Liberty will host a “Centennial Dinner Christmas Ball” on Saturday, Dec. 14, beginning at 6 p.m. at the West Liberty Community Center.
Not only will some of the history of the organization be recognized, but also the evening will include live entertainment featuring the West Liberty High School Jazz Band under the direction of Ashley Smith, as well as an ensemble from the University of Iowa.
The event is open to the community according to organizer Ken Brooks, and anyone wanting to buy a $25 ticket for the event should contact any member of the organization or the WeLead office in downtown West Liberty by Monday, Dec. 2.
The organization, which is now led by President Jacob Burroughs, invites all past and current members of the organization to attend the centennial celebration. Mark Smith is president-elect for the club, and Ken Brooks is secretary, while Krista Lanier is treasurer as well as Foundation chairman. Club service is chaired by Cliff McFerren.
Rotary not only accomplishes tasks locally, but also has a youth group, West Liberty High School’s Interact Club, that works with the local organization, which provide a leadership camp annually for students. Rotary is a worldwide organization and is credited most recently with the near eradication of the Polio disease around the world.
Brooks is putting together a history of the group and its work, which would include a building at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds, as well as Ron De Voo Park in downtown West Liberty, and various other projects.
In other Rotary news, the club chaired a Voluntary Action Committee “Operation Warm” coat drive with distribution made last weekend at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Brooks said a record total of 500 new and gently used coats were provided to area families in the West Liberty School District.
Local churches also participated in the drive, collecting not only coats, but also gloves, hats, mittens, scarves and socks.
“There’s no reason anyone in the West Liberty area should have to go without,” Brooks said of the annual drive. The coats are purchased thanks to monetary donations from community members every year.
Anyone interested in becoming a Rotary Club member should contact Brooks or any member of the organization, which meets weekly at noon.