Erie Rotary club disbands

ERIE – Citing its dwindling membership – at last count, only eight – the 73-year-old Erie Rotary club has disbanded.

“The major problem since about 2005 is the lack of new members,” Gary Farral, its president for 6 years, said in a news release.

“We did our best to obtain new, younger members to carry on, but to no avail. Nationwide, this is a major problem for most clubs in the United States. Foreign clubs are growing.”

The club was chartered on Aug. 27, 1945, with Rotary International, known worldwide for its effort to eradicate polio.

Over the years, the local chapter’s contributions to the village have been many, including helping to provide city sewer and garbage service and an emergency siren, assigning house numbers and street signs and providing village maps; replacing trees lost to Dutch elm disease; helping establish Erie Campground, the Glen Miller Marina, Heritage Park and a veterans memorial; fundraising for the Boy Scouts; providing scholarships; and donating to a wide variety of charitable events and organizations.

“Venerable service organizations across the United States have been closing up shop due to lack of fresh membership, Farral said.

“Please consider joining a service organization to help your community.”