Service
SERVICE PROJECTS OF THE LEXINGTON CLUB
Worldview
Worldview is a world affairs seminar, conducted annually in March, jointly by Lexington Rotary and the University of Kentucky Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce. Worldview began in 1974 under the leadership of Rotarian Franklin Moosnick to acquaint high school juniors and seniors with current global political affairs and to increase knowledge of major political powers.
The annual program draws 300 to 400 students to Lexington for the lecture/class room seminar-type institute. The program presents as visiting lecturers/instructors, outstanding world political leaders, diplomats, statesmen, military experts and others, plus members of the Patterson School staff.
Over the years Worldview has hosted over 8000 students within a range of approximately one hundred miles of Lexington. These students are excused from their classes on Friday to attend this very worthwhile program. Worldview is funded by its co-sponsors and those Rotary Clubs sending students.
Group Study Exchange
The Group Study Exchange is one of the most popular Rotary Foundation programs, sponsoring teams of four non-Rotarian business and professional persons, plus a Rotarian leader, to visit another country for a four to six-week period to learn about other cultures, politics, government policies and business procedures and ethics, and to extend friendly relations between countries of the world.
The Group Study Exchange is funded jointly by the Rotary Foundation and by the district. The receiving district and clubs serve as hosts to the visitors while on tour of various communities within the district. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the program and further provides for the ambassadorial aspects.
Team participants are selected by a competitive screening process by the district committee. Participation is open to both young men and women.
Youth Exchange
The Youth Exchange Program is a Rotary-sponsored exchange program for high school and college students to live and study in another country for an academic year.
The students reside with one or more Rotary host families who consider them one of the family and provide a home away from home. The Youth Exchange is funded principally by the participant’s family with very minimal assistance from Rotary.
Scholarship and Awards Program
The club annually gives scholarships to honor students of the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University and to seniors from all high schools in Fayette County. The purpose of the awards is to stimulate and encourage excellence in scholarship by rewarding and giving public recognition to specific academic achievements. The scholarships are based solely on academic merit.
The Ollie Hurst Scholarship Award is presented to a university student who has demonstrated academic excellence as well as participation in campus and community affairs. The W. Emmett Milward Award is presented in recognition of outstanding participation in extracurricular and other community activities. The Tommy Bell Award is made to a high school student in recognition of the outstanding athlete-scholar, chosen annually by county-wide high school principals and coaches and members of the sports media. This award is in memory of attorney, NFL referee, and humanitarian Tommy Bell who was for many years an active Lexington Rotarian.
The John Bryden Great Teacher Award is presented to an outstanding teacher in the Fayette County Schools. It honors the memory of our own “Jack” Bryden, long-time academic dean at Transylvania University, past-president of the club and former chairman of the Scholarship Committee.
Cardinal Hill Hospital
The Rotary Club of Lexington was instrumental many years ago in the establishment of Cardinal Hill Hospital for the care of crippled children. Members of the club took groups of children for a “day at Keeneland”, for a “day at Camp Kysoc”, provided movies and other entertainment at the hospital and did many other things to brighten the lives of the children.
The club continues to brighten the lives of the residents, both children and adults, through its various programs including a monthly casino night, and through contributions and participation in the annual telethon.
Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts
Lexington Rotary sponsors Scout Troops consisting of youngsters who come from socially and economically-deprived areas of our community and require special attention and care.
Santa Claus/Coats for Kids Program
Lexington Rotary provides Santa Clauses nightly for the month of December during the Southern Lights Show at the Kentucky Horse Park. At a cost of $5.00 each, an “elf” makes Santa’s picture with visitors to the show. With the proceeds, which have run as high as $13,000 per year, new winter coats are purchased and donated to needy children in elementary schools and agencies in Fayette County. To date approximately 10,000 coats have been distributed.
Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League
Lexington Rotary established a baseball league for handicapped children and adults. Organizing the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League included the building and maintenance of a special field, dugouts, concession stands, water fountains and other amenities found at regular little league ball fields. A $750,000 project, it has become a community effort spearheaded by Rotary and will be used by all of central Kentucky.
Lexington Rotary Endowment
Lexington Rotary Endowment, Inc., was initiated in 1980, to build an endowment to support the club’s charitable giving. Over the years gifts and earnings have grown the fund to over $500,000. All members are encouraged to participate in this program. Most members contribute through a birthday program in the amount of one dollar for each year of their ages. In 1999 the Endowment Society was established. Membership in the society is gained by a gift of $5000 or by a deferred gift of $25,000 through a trust or will.
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