Like other service organizations, the Rotary Club of Coatesville has been impacted by the pandemic, but club members have continued to serve the community.

After the Rotary Club agreed to take over presenting the annual Strawberry Festival held on the grounds of the Brandywine Hospital, the event was canceled in 2020. This meant the club was unable to earn money for its grant program through its hamburger and hot dog stand operated during the festival.

"Two years ago, the Brandywine Health Foundation decided to no longer host the festival. Several of our Rotary members decided that this festival, which brought joy to so many families, that provided dollars to the ride companies and food vendors and thousands of dollars to give back to the communities, needed to continue. It was a big step," said club president Dave Seegers. "Then came COVID, and the 2020 festival was postponed. COVID has continued much longer than ever anticipated, which meant the 2021 festival was canceled as well."

Because of the cancellations, the club has refocused its efforts on community service projects.

"The COVID pandemic has not deterred us. We have still given away grants with what money we still have," said Seegers. "We have been busy with drives such as collecting essentials for the senior citizens of Coatesville and Downingtown through Brandywine Valley Active Aging (BVAA), formerly the Coatesville Senior Center." The boxes contain items such as soap, deodorant, bath sponges and shampoo. "These were all things requested by the BVAA," said Seegers.

Upcoming events include a workday at Bondsville Mill Park, where club members will help out by putting down crushed stone for the park's amphitheater. Volunteers will continue their work at the Chester County Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired building located on First Avenue in Coatesville. "Recently we were there painting, and we will be helping to build raised flower beds and planting flowers," said Seegers. Club members will also take part in a Lincoln Highway cleanup in May.

The club, which formerly met every other Thursday at the Coatesville Country Club, now holds its meetings via Zoom. Each meeting features a guest speaker. "A directive by Rotary International requests that no live meeting occur until after June 30," Seegers pointed out.

The Rotary Club is currently seeking new members, particularly young people from the community who want to help fulfill the club's motto, "Service Above Self."

The Rotary Club was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who wanted to form a club of business professionals. "Paul Harris thought, 'Why not form a group of businesses that could meet regularly to talk about their successes and share those ideas for the betterment of the community?' The idea caught on and grew quite quickly," Seegers said. "They decided to meet at various locations or to rotate meetings. Hence, the idea of Rotary was born."

For membership and meeting information, contact Seegers at dmseegers45@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofcoatesville.