Rotary Club of Poway Marks the Big Five-O

It was 50 years ago—decades before Poway became incorporated—when the was chartered with 15 members. And in that 50 years, the club has come a long way.

About 40 people including founding member Robert Dougherty gathered Wednesday to celebrate the landmark anniversary at .

"This community would not be where it is without the Rotary," said Dougherty, who said the club was formed because the founders wanted to do good things for Poway.

Dougherty, who served as president in 1964, was joined by many of the club's 23 members, and past members such as Councilwoman Merrilee Boyack.

"It's pretty special for any organization to celebrate 10 to 20 years but we're celebrating 50 years," said club president Allan Noblitt, who hopes the organization will increase its membership and ties with Poway High School in the coming years. "I'm not sure we can point out one single accomplishment in our history."

Though the club has participated in everything from bond campaigns to fund the construction of Lake Poway to funding the Poway Paramedics, Dougherty said the aftermath of the wildfires does standout. The club raised roughly $130,000 for victims of the wildfires in 2003 and another $70,000 in 2007.

"None were members," Dougherty said. "[Rotary's] a friendly, positive group that gives back a lot."

Dougherty's sentiments were echoed by Mayor Don Higginson, who presented the club with a "Certificate of Recognition" and the Rotary Club's District Governor Larry Sundram

"You're a club with great accomplishments and great Rotarians with big hearts," Sundram told the members. "I'm very proud to be associated with you."

To learn more about the Rotary Club of Poway, visit powayrotary.org.