Service Above Self
About Us
Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” traces back to the early days of the organization. It was adapted from a speech Ben Collins made in 1911 when he declared that the proper way to organize a Rotary club is to live by the principle “Service, Not Self.” Today the motto plays out in a variety of projects that the Athol Orange Rotary Club and Rotary International undertake. Thousands of hours of volunteer time are committed by Rotarians for the benefit of others. Examples include projects benefiting youth, the military, veterans, and seniors in Athol/Orange and Worldwide. Here you can find just a sampling of our philanthropic projects.
Our Service Projects
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat NCM is building a new 3-bedroom, 2-bath, energy efficient home on Old Keene Road in Athol. The Rotary Club of Athol-Orange has is committed to service. Rotary members are on the planning committee and have been hands-on with the build. The Club has purchased all the windows and skylights for the home.
Community Meals
During the Pandemic, the community meal has been changed to take-out. The Rotary Club has donated extra funds for containers and we are committed to plan, supply and prepare the meal for the Athol Salvation Army at least once every three months.
Lifeline
Lifeline Medical Alert can be recognized by the phrase, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” Rotary has been committed to assisting the seniors in our community with this lifesaving device. In cooperation with Heywood Healthcare, Rotarians volunteer their time to install the Lifeline unit in the home. There are now choices of devices and costs.
Flower Boxes
The flowerboxes that adorn the streets of Athol and Orange during the summer began over 30 years ago to be a fundraiser for the Lifeline Project. The boxes have been a staple in the community as a beautification project for the area. Please support the businesses who support the Flowerboxes.
Backpack Project
The backpack program provides hunger during the weekend for over 100 students at ACES (Athol Community Elementary School).
Annual Projects
Rotarians also help with other organizations annual projects for the community, such as Ringing the Bell for the Athol Salvation Army or answering the phones for the AOTV Auction.
Summerfest
Hopefully, the Athol-Orange Rotary Club will be able to bring Summerfest back to the community in 2022.
Hopefully, the Athol-Orange Rotary Club will be able to bring Summerfest back to the community in 2022.
Fundraising Projects
- 1974 Meetinghouse
- After Prom Parties
- AOTV
- Athol Area YMCA Sports Teams
- Athol Bird & Nature Club
- Athol Public Library
- Boy Scouts
- Camp Wiyaka
- Care Central VNA & Hospice
- Councils on Aging
- Dean’s Beans International Projects
- Disabled American Veterans
- Food-a-thon
- Girls/Boys State
- Habitat for Humanity
- High School Music Programs
- Tree of Hope Haiti
- Little League
- Mahar Cancer Walk
- NQ Chamber of Commerce
- NQ Community Coalition
- Quabbin Mediation
- River Rat Race
- Salvation Army
- Scholarships
- Seeds of Solidarity
- Starry, Starry Night
- United Way
- Uniquely Quabbin
- Valuing Our Children