Rotary Club of Front Royal Celebrates 100th Anniversary, Called ‘A Century of Giving’ — $1.5 Million to Local and National Charities

On Saturday, April 18, the Rotary Club of Front Royal, at a packed house dinner and dance at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, looked back on 100 years of sharing, contributing during that period $1.5 million to some 40 or more local charities since its formation on April 13, 1926, as well as numerous gifts to national endeavors including the eventual (almost) eradification of polio in countries throughout the world.

“For a century, this club has helped shape our community in meaningful ways, through the ‘Doc’ Smith Christmas baskets to investing in students, to strengthening the partnerships that make Front Royal what it is today – Rotary has been a steady, quiet force for good,” said Liz Lewis, the current president of Front Royal Rotary.

A group shot of the gathered Rotarians ready to launch the second century of the Rotary Club of Front Royal. – Courtesy Photos Bret Hrbek unless noted otherwise

“That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because people choose to show up — for their neighbors, their community, and something bigger than themselves,” she added. “That same spirit is reflected in the partners and sponsors (21 of them) who made tonight possible.”

Organized by a committee headed by past president Bret Hrbek, the crowd also heard from Patrick Eakes, a Rotary International Director, who congratulated Front Royal Rotary “on reaching this incredible milestone.”

Front Royal Mayor Lori Cockrell addresses the crowd as event Emcee and former Warren County Administrator Doug Stanley looks on.

“Since your founding in 1926 … your club has exemplified Rotary’s ideal of ‘Service Above Self’. For a century, you have helped shape both the character and the future of your community,” he said.

Eakes mentioned specifically that “In 1956, you launched your first fundraising effort to support the emergency room at Warren County’s hospital, strengthening local health care for generations to come.”

Emceeing the event was Doug Stanley, former county administrator of Warren County, who was club president 2007-2008.

On the night’s printed program, titled “A Century of Service”, it was noted that in its first decades following 1926, the Front Royal club played a meaningful role in shaping the region’s future. Rotarians advocated the creation of Skyline Drive and Shenandoah National Park, supported the establishment of the Chamber of Commerce … and contributed to conservation efforts, local schools, and the founding of Front Royal Country Club.

Past Presidents of Front Royal Rotary, from left, Ron Llewellyn, Kim Crump, Bret Hrbek, Derrick Leasure, Katie Tewell, and Lori Glascock. – Courtesy Photo Dave Jobson

(Malcolm Barr is a former journalist who retired to Front Royal from Washington, D.C. in 2002. He was a frequent contributor to Royal Examiner and other local media until, at age 93, ill health interrupted his writing. He is a 22-year member of the Rotary Club of Front Royal. Welcome back, Malcolm!)