The Rotary Club of Tyler (RCOT) was chartered on May 1, 1920, with 25 members. It was the fifth club chartered in Northeast Texas and was one of only 530 clubs in Rotary International. Centennial Club President Dr. D. M. Edwards says "Rotary Club of Tyler leads the way." What would it take to change the world? Rotary Club of Tyler members believe it starts with a commitment to the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” and continues through donations of volunteer time and financial support to numerous charitable causes.
Please join Tyler Rotary Club's Centennial Celebration on August 8, 2020, at Hollytree Country Club, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. with Past International President Ray Klinginsmith as keynote speaker. Cost is $50 per person for the event and $75.00 per person for a Patron seat which includes an additional “Meet and Greet” social prior to the main evening event. For tickets and information please contact Holly Lewis, Administrative Assistant/Executive Secretary at 903-714-4472 or tylerrotaryaa@outlook.com. Eventbrite link is https://www.eventbrite.com/myevent?eid=100990106126
In 1929 RCOT assisted children with disabilities throughout Smith County. The dedication to serve local children with disabilities was still evident in 1970 when a new partnership with the St. Louis School, a campus for students with special needs was born. For more than 40 years, the RCOT hosted an annual Christmas party at the school, as well as underwrote the construction of a handicapped playground with special equipment for the children.
RCOT established the Young Citizens Club in 1930 and has sponsored this event for 90 years. In addition to certificates, the students receive what the club affectionately calls “The Little White Book” in which every Rotary Young Citizens Club member is listed under their school. Today, the Young Citizens Awards recognized 80 young men and women along with Teachers of the Year from 40 participating schools in Smith County.
During the school year, RCOT weekly meetings include a segment to recognize outstanding high school seniors from schools throughout the Tyler Area. The club has been honoring students for more than 20 years. The outstanding high school senior recognition is part of an ongoing effort by RCOT to encourage and reward student excellence and achievement.
Much volunteer time and major fundraising efforts are used to support many local causes. For more than 10 years the RCOT hosted an annual chili cook-off to successfully raise funds for Texas Missions of Mercy and medical trips to Central and South America, as well as donating funds to local nonprofit organizations. A 2014 fundraising gala allowed RCOT to donate $50,000 to Tyler Junior College for its dental hygiene program. The Rotary Club of Tyler Sterilization Laboratory is part of the Robert M. Rogers Nursing and Health Science Center. Two years later, RCOT took on another project to provide a van to the Watkins-Logan Veterans Home. The Rotary club provided a handicapped accessible vehicle that allows 123 residents to be transported to medical appointments.
The most recent annual fundraiser of the club provided $50,000 to the East Texas Food Bank to help build The Rotary Club of Tyler Repackaging Room. The room is used to pack food supplies to be delivered to clients throughout East Texas.
Christmas is a special time of year where Rotarians can be seen ringing the bell for the Salvation Army or assembling bicycles for the Salvation Army toy drive. The most rewarding way the RCOT gives back to the community is through volunteering with the other local Rotary clubs in hosting the annual Rotary Clubs of Tyler Christmas Parade. Although the parade has a long history, Rotarians have hosted the event since 2015.
