Mantua – The Rotary Club is a global network of 1.4 million individuals in 46,000+ clubs working together to take action to create lasting change in local communities and around the globe for over 110 years, Rotary members across the country and around the world work to better the world through projects ranging from promoting literacy and peace to clean water and health. In 2022, the Rotary Club of Mantua celebrates its 75th anniversary. To celebrate this impressive milestone, the Rotary Club will host a special dinner on Sunday, May 1st at Corners Catering from 4:30 – 6:30 pm.
Chartered on November 25, 1946, with 26 businessmen from Mantua forming the initial membership, since that time, the local chapter has continued to make an impact in the local community and beyond. In the club’s beginning, the group banded together locally. An early service project in the early 1950s saw the construction of a pavilion in what is now known as Buchert Park. Early Rotary fundraisers included an Ox Roast that was first held at Jules Flock’s farm in Geauga County and then on the John Siman farm on Route 44 in Auburn Township; a horse show with 26 classes that was held at what is now Corners Catering; and the ever-popular pierogi booth at the Mantua Potato Festival. More recently, fundraisers have included a Poker Paddle on the Cuyahoga River, a Christmas Tour of Homes and a Virtual Reverse Raffle.
Years after the Mantua Chamber of Commerce had ceased operation, the Mantua Rotary was integral in resurrecting the Mantua/Shalersville Chamber of Commerce, which is still active today. More recently, the Rotary Club of Mantua and the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation created a working relationship, with the DMRC establishing a corporate membership with the Rotary Club. In addition, a member of Rotary is elected to serve on the DMRC Board, as well. Together, the organizations have worked together to install bike racks around town, interpretive and wayfinding signs for the Headwaters Trail and for the Rotary Grove.
Mantua Rotary has also worked to support Crestwood schools by collecting school supplies to be distributed to students in need and helping to raise funds for the Middle School Sunshine fund. The Rotary has helped promote local literacy by installing bookshelves in both elementary buildings and by gifting books to Crestwood students. In addition, high school students have regularly been sponsored by the Club to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp with students from all over Northeast Ohio. In previous years, the Rotary Club has regularly hosted Youth Exchange students from France, Germany, Brazil, Japan and many other countries, who spent a year attending Crestwood High School. The Rotary has also sponsored a Crestwood student spending a year studying in Japan.
Recent Rotary of Mantua projects have included international efforts as well. One project provided solar lights in a village in South Africa to enable students to study at night, while another provided funding to provide chickens and create an egg laying project in Ghana to enhance local nutrition and generate funds for education. More recently, the Rotary has funded the training of 21 health professionals in seven Bolivian villages, providing support for the purchase of covid-related equipment and supplies for a covid hospital in Southern India.
Stephen L. Zabor, Ph.D., was so impressed by the Rotary organization’s commitment to service, that he has served as the club’s president three times. In addition, Zabor served on several Rotary District Chairmanships, eventually serving as Rotary Governor for District 6630 in 2011 & 2012. In that capacity, Zabor had the opportunity to travel to India twice with fellow Rotarians to administer polio vaccine to children in support of National Immunization Days in India and Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.
Zabor was pleased to note that at the 5/1 dinner event, attendees will also be treated to a special guest. “Rotary Founder, Paul Harris was a very special person in the Rotary World,” he noted. Artist and actor Jonathan Becker, the brother of Rotarian David Becker, will portray Paul Harris that evening, and present one of Harris’s speeches. In addition, as a stand in for Harris, Becker will participate in the presentation of Paul Harris fellowships to Kim Sumalt and Jodie Fiala for their contributions to the well-being of the Mantua Community.
The Rotary Club of Mantua is always interested in hearing about service opportunities in Mantua,” Zabor noted. “We would also love to hear from anyone interested in helping us meet the needs of people close to home and around the world.” For more information, or to purchase tickets for the dinner event on May 1st, contact mantuarotary@gmail.com.
