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Gustine Rotary is 80 years old and thriving
gustine rotary 80
Gustine Rotary and volunteers posed for a photo outside the Hops and Bangers event in April. - photo by Photo Contributed

Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves.

Gustine Rotary has been a living example of that club description for eight decades being active in local events, supporting local youth, participating in national and global projects and initiating their own. They are a non-profit organization working together to bring a better future for their community and across the globe.

When Brent Tanner was invited to become a member he wasn’t sure how he would help out but he liked the idea of the Rotarian motto  “service above self.” He wanted to help others, help to make a difference.

He joined the local club in 1988, when Rotary was getting proactive in the fight to eradicate Polio. This global campaign has been of interest to Tanner ever since. Polio is not totally eradicated yet, he explained. There are still two countries with some cases reported and until there are zero cases the work of getting the vaccines where they are needed is just as important as it was when the campaign first began.

Speaking of international work, Gustine Rotary was the first club in District 5220 to receive a global grant. The club had connected with a club in the Phillipines who was trying to provide clean water to residents. Gustine secured funds for the purchase of

water filters through the grant, their own fund raising and partnering with clubs in the area. That project continued for several years, serving thousands of residents in need of access to clean water. That project also lead Tanner to be a part of a grant writing team for the District to help clubs apply for grants for many other global projects.

Another international reach was to an orphanage overseas in need of an ambulance. Again, a club there connecting with the Gustine Club and together they made it happen. 

An ongoing District project provides customed designed wheelchairs for children who are unable to walk. Gustine Rotary helps with that project.

Locally, the Gustine Rotary has made supporting the youth in the community a priority. 

One of the first activities was taking over the annual high school basketball tournament the year the club was established. Rotarians have continued to run that event each December since.

Tanner was involved in starting GUSTO, the scholarship program for Gustine High School graduates. Learning what fellow Newman rotarian Bob McConnell was doing for Orestimba graduates, Tanner brought forward the idea for a similar program for his community. “Other people run GUSTO now but I am proud of my part in helping to get it started. And Gustine Rotary still donates financially to that program each year,” Tanner noted.

About 20 years ago, the club started giving dictionaries to every third grader in the school district. Each student received a book with their name printed on the nameplate inside. At the end of the school year they could take their book home to keep. This is one of Tanner’s favorite local activities. Even though, information is found on the computers or found online today, the gift of the book and all the information provided inside beyond the dictionary itself, is still a valid tool for the children to have. And they enjoy using them. “Walking down the street one day, a young girl stopped me and said she remembered me. I was the man who gave her a dictionary at school. That made me feel good. The book meant something to her,” Tanner shared.

Another youth program was the backpack program; filling backpacks with school supplies and donating them to the schools.

Recent new projects in the community have included installing benches in the parks and a peace pole at the high school. A member noticed the city’s animal shelter could use some attention so the club organized a clean up effort. There are members helping to serve county commodities at Schmidt Park every other Monday.

Gustine Rotary members are present at community and area events wherever they are needed. They are meant to serve, to better the community and the world however they can. They are often seen at a barbecue grill cooking food for youth activities or hosting fundraisers to raise money for their projects. 

Hops n Bangers has been a popular fundraising event for many years. Their annual linguica take-out has expanded to several times a year. Their huge flea market in the park is a popular event. The Gustine Rotary is a visibly active service club making a difference in their community and the world for 80 years.

New members are always welcome. When Rotary began in 1905 membership was open only to businessmen and administrators. That mold was broken, or redesigned in the late 80s when women were admitted. 

Today, membership still requires an invitation by a member. However, if interested, speak to a member, find out what the club is doing and if it’s a good fit for you. “We have members of all ages, several younger members which is good, too,” Tanner expressed. New ideas, fresh eyes in the community that see where the needs are. New members keep the good work of the Rotary continuing. It’s a great group of people to work alongside and a great organization to be a part of.

Meetings are held on Wednesday evenings. Locations vary. Contact Gustine Rotary at rotarygustine@gmail.com or phone 209 854-4129 for more information.