CLUB HISTORY

Bordering our 45th year anniversary, we have come so far in our accomplishments. There are so many major projects Rotary contributed to, in recent years, that were only a dream when this organization first started.  

 

When the Rotary Club of Cape Coral was founded in 1964 by 25 members in Cape Coral, several projects went under development in the years to come. The RCCC helped built the foundation of Cape Coral, all the while instigating the ideals in the 4-Way Test & 4-Avenues of Service. 

 

The Rotary Club of Cape Coral took charge of many city improvement projects initially such as building the Memorial Arch at the entrance of Cape Coral; planting hibiscus in the median strips; sponsoring a petting zoo for handicapped children; building bicycle racks at school bus stops and building a Welcome sign at the west end of the bridge with the clubs’ insignias.

 

 Cape Coral Rotary ClubCape Coral Rotary Club

 

Since the beginning, our events such as chicken barbecue and Wednesday night Bingo have benefited many youth organizations.  Education has been our priority and we have supported several organizations including:

  • International Students Exchange, which had students coming and going from Cape Coral to
    Belgium and Germany
  • Group Study Exchange which was originally founded by International Rotary Foundation
  • Scholarships for Edison Community College, FGCU and High Tech Center North
  • Career Days supported youth with vocational presentations in Middle Schools
  • 3,000 books were shipped to military stations in Vietnam and ships at sea

 

Cape Coral Rotary ClubWe also assisted in the construction of the Cape Coral High School Stadium in ’79 and also the purchase of additional land for athletic fields. 

 

In the Cape Coral health area, we were able to contribute to the construction of the Cape Coral Hospital and also with the purchase of a Bloodmobile with the help of Cape Coral Kiwanis Club. 

 

Community organizations supported by RCCC include S4TL – Seminar for Tomorrow’s Leaders – and Time, Treasure & Talents – which supports Boy and Girl Scouts organizations and other youth organizations.

 

The Good Fellowship Rotary Float was built and also our very own one-hundred-acre Rotary Park on the shores of Cape Coral.  The city donated the tower at Eco park to Rotary, which needed to be rebuilt and was completed in less than 2 years. 

 

Rotary Park received a grant of almost $600,000.00 from the government for development of roads, parking, water, electricity and a learning center.

 

In 1989 the first Art Festival was held at Jaycee Park, later moved to Tarpon Point and in 2000 the Art Festival was moved to Cape Coral Pkwy in Downtown and has found several major sponsors with participation of hundreds of local artists. We have been organizing the Art Festival for over 20 years and were able to raise money with often more than 100,000 attendees.

 

Another Fun Community Event started in 1994 from local boat clubs was turned over to the Rotary Club in 2004 to expand the event, open it up to more participants, and make some money for local charities. First moved to Seahawk Park and in 2009 moved to today's location at the For Freedoms Park this event enjoys more partitipation every year.

 

 For more information about the history of the club:
Click here to download the 45th Anniversary Celebration Information