The Rotary Club of Coatesville, with a mission statement of "Service Above Self," is seeking new members interested in taking part in local community service projects.

Some of the activities that club members participate in are volunteering at the Coatesville Senior Center, now known as Brandywine Valley Active Aging; gathering donations for the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB); and participating annually in a dictionary project, which provides dictionaries to all third-grade students in the Coatesville Area School District and at Pope John Paul II Regional Catholic Elementary School in West Brandywine Township.

Club members are also part of a litter patrol, offering their services to local organizations by helping with activities such as gardening and painting. Coatesville Rotarians "ring the bell" during the holidays for the Salvation Army, and the Rotary Club sponsors the Interact Club at Coatesville Area Senior High School.

"Our biggest activity is the annual Strawberry Festival, drawing thousands (of people) on multiple days and nights with music and other forms of entertainment plus carnival rides and food vendors," said past Rotary Club president Dave Seegers. "All proceeds following costs are returned in grants. This year, we gave out over $97,000 in grants."

Among the organizations receiving grants this year were the Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company, CCFB, Coatesville Youth Initiative, Coatesville Area Public Library, Good Works Inc., Handi-Crafters, Community Youth and Women's Alliance (CYWA), Brandywine Valley Active Aging, the W.C. Atkinson Resource Center, David's Drive 831, Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, Women's League for Minority Education, Chester County Connect Care, Revival Productions Inc. and Chester County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The club also used proceeds from the event for its student programs, which include providing scholarships and the dictionaries and youth development and community engagement activities.

This year's Strawberry Festival will be held in July. For more information and to learn about sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.coatesvillerotarystrawberryfestival.com.

The Rotary membership currently meets for lunch at noon at the Coatesville Moose Lodge, 1200 Airport Road, Coatesville. Meetings often include a guest speaker. Those interested in joining the Rotary Club of Coatesville are invited to attend a meeting. Those who join the club must complete a membership application and will be asked to pay yearly dues.

"Rotary Club of Coatesville can be identified as a progressive and active organization," Seegers added. "If you or a friend are looking for a real purpose in life please consider becoming a member of our very friendly and happy organization. Our membership is growing - attracting both younger males and females - and we are always looking for new members."

More information about the club is available at http://www.facebook.com/rotaryclubofcoatesville and http://www.coatesvillerotary.org.