Rotary Club of Glendora's History

The Glendora Rotary Club was founded on a spring evening in April 1956 by 33 local businessmen, with support from the nearby Rotary Clubs of Azusa and Covina. Leif Evans served as the first president.

Charter Members:

Lowell Arnold, Bill Beck, Ray H. Carter, Rudy Castaldi, Howard Chamely, Leo Crosby, William Crum, Champ Cuff, Gordon Delmeny, Robert Dukes, Maynard Durnell, Leif Evans, John Finkbiner, A.J. Gunter, George Hawkins, Jack Hoover, Mervin Johnson, I.C. Joyce, Dale Kline, Galen Lindsey, Clyde Mantle, Frank Martinez, Ray Moon, Hal Nelson, James E. Ray, Crawford Reid, Iral J. Roller, Harry Rosedale, Carl Sharp, Vance B. Smith, Don Van Puersem, Leslie Warren, and Tom Yoshikawa.

Dr. George Baxter, the seventh Rotarian in the world, was an honorary member for many years and contributed significantly to the club. By 1960, the membership had expanded to include men from Citrus College, and meetings were held at the Old Hickory Restaurant. During Frank Martinez's presidency in 1959-1960, the Rotary Bulletin, then called "The Link," highlighted an increase in membership and featured John Eckert as Santa Claus at the Christmas party.

In the early years, one service project involved landscaping the home of a recently deceased schoolteacher's widow, Bob Ausherman. The project, led by Tom Yoshikawa, was a concentrated effort that helped the widow sell her home.

In 1966, member Tris Hubbard suggested the club sponsor an All-Star Football Game for high schools in the San Gabriel Valley. Held at the newly built Citrus College Stadium, the event became an annual tradition, raising over $110,000 for Casa Colina Hospital over 15 years.

A colorful figure in the club, Mike Sassone, owned a ranch where many artifacts from prehistoric Native Americans were discovered. He also brought a giant pizza on a flatbed truck to sell at the football game. His restaurant later became a regular meeting place for the club.

The club extended its service across borders, with members helping construct buildings and infrastructure at an orphanage in Baja, Mexico. John Jans organized the trips, with Al Meisenburg and his plumbing expertise playing a key role. This work laid the foundation for further international projects.

In 2001, Sheila Gutierrez initiated the Focometer project, bringing vision care to children and adults in underdeveloped areas. By 2007, the Glendora Rotary Club, in partnership with the Agua Caliente Rotary Club of Tijuana, had provided over 1,500 eye screenings and distributed hundreds of prescription glasses.

The club has also participated in Rotary International's Group Study Exchange program, sending and hosting study groups worldwide. In one instance, a group from South America was taken on a tour of local sites, including the Monrovia Nursery and Mike Rubel's Castle.

Another long-standing project, started by Gordon Norman, a GHS Band Teacher and local choral teacher, brings vocal students from grades 4-12 to showcase their talents. Keith Hilliard has chaired this event for over 25 years, raising over $450,000 for the Glendora Unified School District's choral program.

In 1986-87, the Glendora Rotary Club joined the global effort to eradicate polio, raising significant funds through a large-scale event at the Montclair Shopping Plaza. This event, which involved six district clubs, generated $150,000 toward Rotary International's Polio Plus initiative.

One of the club's longest-running projects is Trails Day, where members used to participate in hands-on trail maintenance. Another impactful initiative, the Mini-Grant for Teachers Program, started in 1984 by Bill Bird, has provided over $440,000 in grants to local teachers for educational improvements.

The club also supported the Glendora Christmas Parade by hosting a pancake breakfast for participants and spectators. Rotary was and still is today, represented in a prime spot in the parade.

In youth outreach, the Glendora Rotary Club sponsors a Boy Scout troop, as well as the Interact Club at Glendora High School, which helps students get involved in community service.

The Youth Hut Project began in 1989 to replace a dilapidated scout meeting place. The club raised $80,000 to construct a new building, with Rotary International President Paulo V.C. Costa of Brazil attending the dedication ceremony.

Following a landmark California Supreme Court ruling, the club broke new ground in 1985 when it admitted its first female member, Connie Tiffany. Since then, women have played vital roles in the club, with Peggy Kawa serving as the first female president.

The Glendora Rotary Club also sponsors the "Movies in the Park" at Finkbiner Park, providing movie nights for the community, and has hosted a Valentine luncheon in collaboration with nearby clubs for over 30 years.

Larger connections are made through district conferences, where clubs gather for networking and idea sharing. The club will serve as a host for the 2008 Rotary International Conference in Los Angeles.

Notably, Glendora Rotary has had three District Governors from its ranks: Chris Lyman, Wayne Whistler, and Steve Garrett. All led the district with distinction.

In 2005, to mark Rotary International's 100th anniversary, the club donated a Rotary Pedestal Clock to the city, which now stands on Glendora Avenue. In 2006, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special dinner at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

Today, the Glendora Rotary Club continues its dedication to the community and beyond, living by the motto "Service Above Self."