Service Above Self. Not only does the local chapter embrace Rotary International's motto, it epitomizes it.

The annual Lawrence J. Ruggiano Craft Show is merely a creative way for the Rotary Club of Lititz to live the motto. Because actions tend to speak louder than words.

"It's a service to the community," said Tom Oehme, Rotary Club of Lititz's president and the chairman of the upcoming craft show. "All the funds we raise go back to the community. We're using the money for the community, and not just Lititz, but Warwick Township as well."

This year's version of the Rotary Club of Lititz's Lawrence J. Ruggiano Craft Show - named for one of the show's founding members - will be staged on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the closed streets of the downtown's business district. The craft show venue will encompass 10 square blocks of Lititz, on Broad Street between Orange and Front streets and on Main Street from Broad Street to Locust Street.

The event is free to attend.

Parking will be made available at Warwick High School, 301 W. Orange St., Lititz; Bonfield Elementary School, 101 N. Oak St.; and Linden Hall School for Girls, 212 E. Main St., Lititz.

"There are quite a few craft shows in Lancaster County," said Oehme. "Ours is probably the largest."

More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the craft show. "You've got tons and tons of people roaming the streets of Lititz," said Oehme.

Those people will be shopping and perusing the wares of 425 craftspeople spread out over 500 spaces. One of the largest craft shows on the East Coast, the event has had vendors who originate from Lititz, other areas of Lancaster County and as far away as Maine, Florida and Canada.

Crafts are unique items constructed from other materials in creative ways. Vendors are encouraged to demonstrate their works.

"(Crafts) are generally made by hand," said Oehme. "It's the unique things that sell the best. (The craftspeople) have better imaginations than I do. One lady who has a stand does dry flowers, arrangements and wreaths. There's also another (crafter) who sits there and knits."

Officials of the craft show are hoping to make $70,000 from the show. Those proceeds will be divided and donated to more than 30 local nonprofit and civic organizations, including four fire companies, the Warwick Ambulance Association, the Lititz Warwick Community Chest, the Lititz Public Library, the Lititz Historical Foundation, the Lititz recCenter and Lititz Springs Park.

The proceeds are also used to fund college loans and scholarships for local students.

The Rotary Club of Lititz was founded in 1925 by 25 original members. The craft show was started in 1979, and the early shows included just local vendors.

Currently, the Rotary Club of Lititz includes 28 members. Throughout its history, the local chapter has donated over $1.25 million to local nonprofits and helped more than 500 students attend college.

"I want people to know who we are and what we're about," said Oehme. "Rotary (International) itself has almost conquered polio throughout the world. People don't know what polio is anymore. Our club helps the international organization, and we support the local community the best we can. Our motto, 'Service Above Self,' sort of explains itself."

For additional information on the Rotary Club of Lititz, go to http://www.lititzrotary.com.