Rotary Club of Painesville — A Century of Service Above Self
The Rotary Club of Painesville, the oldest Rotary club in Lake County, has served the community for 100 years. With guidance from the Rotary Club of Cleveland, the club was officially chartered as Club #2390 on June 11, 1926, with 20 charter members representing a cross-section of prominent professionals and business leaders from the Painesville community. Gordon Meek served as the club’s first president.
In the 1995–96 Rotary year, Elizabeth Vaci became the club’s first female president. Today, the Rotary Club of Painesville reflects Rotary’s commitment to inclusion, with membership balanced at approximately 50% female and 50% male.
From its earliest years, the club has been dedicated to community impact. One of its first major initiatives was funding support for the Lake County School for the Retarded Child, a commitment that continued until the school began receiving United Fund allocations in the early 1960s. During the mid-1960s, the club also supported numerous organizations including American Field Service, Lake County Society for Crippled Children, World Affairs Institute, Junior Achievement, the YMCA, and the Northeast Ohio Heart Society.
Among the club’s most visible and enduring programs is its support of high school music and drama activities, highlighted by the annual Drama Awards Ceremony. Initiated 51 years ago by Rotarian Robert Tischer and judged by members of both the Painesville and Mentor Rotary Clubs, the program continues to celebrate student achievement in the arts.
The club’s leadership has also extended outward. In 1967, the Rotary Club of Painesville sponsored the formation of the Rotary Club of Mentor, which was chartered on May 22 of that year.
Annual Fundraiser
Each spring, the club hosts its signature fundraising event, which generates the majority of funds used for charitable giving. Recent themes have included:
• 2022 — “Speakeasy 1922”
• 2023 — “Copacabana”
• 2024 — “Rockin’ Rotary High”
• 2025 — “Rotary Run for the Roses”
• 2026 — “A Century of Service Above Self — 1926–2026”
These themed events draw strong community participation and feature basket raffles, silent auctions, and the popular “Dessert Run.” Each year, club members designate a local charitable organization as the primary beneficiary.
Service Above Self
Service remains the cornerstone of the club’s mission. In partnership with St. James Episcopal Church, members help prepare and serve hot, nutritious meals to individuals experiencing homelessness on the third Tuesday of each month — offering both practical support and meaningful human connection. Not only do members provide the physical benefits of providing meals, they also provide and receive the emotional and spiritual benefits of connecting with the less fortunate in our community.
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The club also collaborates with the Salvation Army of Painesville during the annual “Back to School Bash,” helping distribute backpacks, school supplies, and essential items to Lake County students whose families need assistance.
Each holiday season, the club “adopts” local families by providing food, clothing, and gifts, and members volunteer as bellringers for the Salvation Army of Painesville.
The Rotary Club of Painesville remains actively engaged in local giving and remembrance. In 2024, the club donated more than $24,000 to charitable organizations. In 2025, members dedicated a commemorative bench honoring Dr. Don Lucker — a U.S. Air Force veteran and Rotarian of more than 50 years.
Meetings
The Rotary Club of Painesville meets every Tuesday at noon at the Lake County Historical Society, 415 Riverside Drive, Painesville, Ohio.
How to Reach Us
Contact: President Daniel Garry 440-223-7755 or via email at Dgarry@eagledesignconst.com
Website: https://painesvillerotary.org/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PainesvilleRotary/
Join Us at our 100 Year Event on April 25, 2026
for tickets contact Sue Fratino 440-759-4961
