• Winner: WINNER
  • Date: 1/29/2016
  • Rotary Year: 2015-2016
  • Award Category: Community Service
  • Club NameSalem
  • Member First NameGarry
  • Address: 
    6630 Hidden Woods Court
    Roanoke, VA 24018
    United States View on Map
  • Email: garry.norris@expresspros.com
  • Brief Description: 
    Olde Salem Days (OSD) sponsored/operated premier arts/crafts festival. 400+ artists, crafters, classic car exhibitors, entertainers,celebrity guests attend. Attracted 30,000 people for shopping, food, children’s activities, etc. www.oldesalemdays.org.
    • Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) Basketball Tournament-a Salem tradition since 1981. Annually in cooperation with ODAC, we host this premier NCAA Division III tournament. Hundreds of visitors come to enjoy a weekend of basketball. The Tournament enables the Club to raise funds that benefit non-profits. 100% of the proceeds support community projects.
    • Star B-Q - In conjunction with the City, hosts a music festival with national country music artists. The club provides volunteers. 100% of the proceeds used for community projects.
    • Josten’s Trophy Award - Recognizes male and female student athletes for their outstanding performance in Division III basketball, and their academic accomplishments and community service. An awards luncheon honoring the recipients, their families and colleges is held annually.
    • Christmas for Kids - Served 40 underprivileged elementary school children. We provide gifts and toys. Also a meal with meals and Santa. We also take the children shopping for their family.
    • Clean Valley Day & Waterways Clean-up - Semi-annual clean-up of Rotary Park and Greenway. Volunteers from the club and community clean both venues.
    • Coat Drive: Collected/delivered coats (105) and other accessories (55) and cash for the Salem Clothes Closet to distribute to families.
    • Food Drive: Collected food for the Salem Pantry to those in need.
    • Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals: Delivered meals to needy families.
    • Dictionary Project: Provided dictionaries to third graders
    • The Little Free Library –Little two shelf bookcases with books aimed at various audiences. Take a book and leave a book. Boxes are placed in parks, greenways and other public areas.
    • Christmas Float: Constructed a float which was entered in the Salem Christmas Parade to promote Rotary.
    • Military Support: Participated with other Clubs in raising funds and supporting the Military Family Support Center.
    • Disaster Relief: Disaster Supply kits prepared and stored ready for distribution
    • Read Across America: Read short stories to elementary school classes.
    • Vocational Award: To a non-Rotarian exemplifying Service Above Self.
    • Outstanding Citizen Award: Awarded to a local outstanding citizen.
    • Polio Project: Raised funds to eliminate polio. Contributed $100 for each touchdown scored by Salem High School team in 2015. They scored 83 touchdowns and we donated $8,300 dollars to the project.
    • Charitable, Civic, Community Financial Support. Grant applications reviewed; $75,800 awarded.

  • Participation of Club Members: 
    • Olde Salem Days: 100%
    • ODAC Basketball Tournament: 100%
    • Star B-Q: 30%
    • Jostens Award: 100%
    • Christmas for Kids: 50%
    • Rotary Park and Roanoke Valley Greenway Clean-up: 15%, plus Interact and RI Exchange students
    • Coat Drive: 90%
    • Food Drive: 90%
    • Thanksgiving and Christmas Meals: 10%
    • Dictionary Project: 5%
    • Little Free Library: 10%
    • Military Support: 10%
    • Disaster Relief: 10%
    • Read Across America: 15%
    • Vocational Award: 100%
    • Outstanding Citizen Award: 100%
    • Polio Project: 100%
    • Charitable, Civic and Community Financial Support Grant Application Process: 35%

  • Resulting Benefits: 
    Three major fundraisers (Olde Salem Days, ODAC and Star B-Q) generated $75,800 to distribute to civic, community/charitable organizations for worthy projects identified in the grant application process. Majority of funds are used to benefit local Salem and Roanoke communities. $20,050 dollars was sent to Rotary International for Sustainer contributions. Another $12,000 allocated to Salem International committee for service projects. Another $8,300 allocated for RI’s Polio Campaign. These fundraisers are designed to include participation by other Rotary Clubs, Rotaract and Interact Clubs in our area. We partner with local government to make them premier community events. OSD benefits vendors and exhibitors who participate by giving them a well-attended venue to offer their products for sale, and provides entertainment for individuals/families. ODAC tournament benefits the teams participating and their fans, as well as those who enjoy the games. Both result in commercial benefit to the area from restaurant and hotel sales.

    We benefit families and individuals in need through monetary contributions, encourage scholarship and community service, enhance the environment, and prepare to cope with disasters. By fulfilling our motto “Service above Self” in these many ways, we are proud to show our fellow citizens, by example, that it is an ordinary thing to serve the local community and the world for no personal gain other than the joy of participating with our fellow Club members and community members in these projects. The members of the Salem rotary club truly want us to be a gift to the World.

  • Additional Material or Information #1: 
    Please visit our website for additional information about our community service activities.

    http://rotaryclubofsalem.org/