The Rotary Club of Sarasota is marking a monumental milestone this week: 100 years of community service. But this centennial celebration is about more than cake and speeches. The club is putting its money where its mission is. Over the past four years, the Booker Nation Initiative has channeled more than $500,000 into three Booker public schools, providing equipment and supplies that directly impact students and teachers.
The headline gift comes in the form of the Centennial Project. A $150,000 donation will fund a new food pantry at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sarasota, ensuring families have access to nutritious food. This builds on the club’s existing commitments, including the Kids’ Café program and the Great Futures Academy, an after-school and summer initiative run in partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs that supports youth development for the long haul.
For a century, this group of local volunteers has tackled big issues, from hunger to education. Centennial spokesperson Nick Rossi says the focus is on the next hundred years. It’s a reminder that lasting change doesn’t happen overnight, it happens with consistent, dedicated effort. Do you have a memory of the Rotary Club’s work in Sarasota? Share your story with us below.
