This year marks the 25th year that the Rotary Club of Salem has sponsored the Old Dominion Athletic Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments at the Salem Civic Center. Funds raised through ticket and program ad sales have enabled the club to distribute from $4,000 to $35,000 per year to worthy charitable organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas. Below you will find several notes on the history of Rotary International and the development of the Salem Club.

* The first Rotary Club was organized on February 23, 1905, when Paul Harris, an attorney, invited three men to form a club of business and professional men.

* The Chicago Club was the initial member of the first International Order of Civic Clubs.

* From this humble beginning of four men, Rotary has grown to 27,146 clubs with a membership of 1,195,440.

* The Chicago Club begot the Minneapolis Club, which begot the Washington D.C. Club, which begot the Richmond Club, which begot the Roanoke Club, which begot the Salem Club.

* Since "Service Above Self" is the motto of Rotary, the Salem Club began early to seek ways and means to serve the community, especially the youth. The Girl Scouts, the Boy Scouts and high school scholars have received annual financial support, as well as other charitable institutions. One of the early products was the cleaning and restoration of the East Hill Cemetery. Another project was furnishing equipment for the Milk House and barn at the Mercy House, now known as the Richfield Center.

* Various methods were entered into the raising of funds for these projects; everything from sponsoring circuses to water festivals at Carvins Cove.

* In 1971, the club raised $12,000 to establish the Orthopedic Clinic that has been taken over by Lewis Gale Hospital.

* In the early years a scholarship fund for Roanoke College students was set up. Several scholarships were given but the keeping of records became a burden and the club turned the fund over to Roanoke College. An interesting sidelight occurred in the early days. A scholarship was given to a Mr. Hinckley who was a struggling student at the college. He went on to graduate and eventually became a dentist in Northern Virginia. In the late 1980's the secretary received a check from Mr. Hinckley in the amount of $5,000, in appreciation for the club's support when he most needed it : the check was turned over to Roanoke College for the fund.

* On October 4, 1979, the Board approved the sponsoring of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament and a contract was signed for the 1981, '82 and '83 tournaments. Since that time the money generated from this event has gone on to help many needy organizations throughout the Roanoke Valley and surrounding areas.

* This past year, the club distributed over $35,000 in tournament proceeds. Over 20 charities benefited from the Rotary funds in 2003-04, upping the total figure contributed since 1981 to over $350,000.