Our Projects

"Service Above Self" is more than just a saying; it's a call to action, motivating Rotarians to make a positive impact through various service projects and initiatives. 

 

Our Annual Golf Outing

Annually the Rotary Club of Salisbury sponsors A Round for the Community, a golf outing to raise money that we distribute to non-profit organizations.  Each year about one-third of the club members participate in the planning and execution of the event.  In our first three years, we have raised about $20,000 per year.  The 2026 golf outing is slated for Friday September 11 at the Green Hill Country Club just west of Salisbury.

Books Donated to the Library to Raise Money

In early 2026, club members donated hundreds of their books to be sold at the Friends Foundation of the Wicomico Public Library biannual used book sale in mid-April.  Depending upon how many books are sold and at what prices, club members' donations could result in thousands of dollars being raised to help the county's public libraries do things they otherwise would not be able to afford.

Dictionaries Distributed to Students

Each year, dictionaries are distributed to more than 1,500 Wicomico County third grade government school and private school students thanks to the Rotary Club of Salisbury in combination with the Salisbury Sunrise Rotary Club. This year's project continues the effort that began in 1998 to give students a book of their own, which for many students is the only book they own.  The dictionaries also contain an atlas and facts about many other topics.
 
Rotary club members buy the books, label them to show that they are gifts from the Rotary clubs, package them, and with club volunteers visit schools to give the books to the students.   The project is led by A.B. Brown, a long-time Rotary Club of Salisbury member and local educator.  
 

Bicycle Riding to Benefit the Christian Shelter

Annually club members raise money for the Christian Shelter by obtaining pledges and payments from other club members and the community at large by riding their bicycles in the autumn Seagull Century cycling event.  Tens of thousands of dollars are raised annually by our club members.
 

Fresh Start

Dozens of members of The Rotary Club of Salisbury participate in the annual Fresh Start event at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center to aid students as they prepare for another school year.  Our volunteers help with the distribution of school supplies to thousands of youngsters.

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

For more than 40 years, club members have helped The Salvation Army by manning their kettles and ringing their bells during the Thanksgiving to Christmas period.  Members get a great deal of satisfaction extending holiday greetings to the thousands of donors they have encountered while often enjoying children putting their coins into the kettles.
 
 
 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Rotary Club of Salisbury, the Rotary Club of Wicomico County, and the Salisbury Sunrise Rotary Club, thousands of dollars are raised annually to support local military veteran assistance groups.   In 2025, the clubs joined with Wor-Wic Community College for the Flags for Heroes project.  Wor-Wic serves veterans and active-duty military members from all branches of service throughout the year, with approximately 300 veteran and military students attending annually.

 

Meals on Wheels

For more than a quarter of a century, club members have delivered meals on wheels.  Meals are delivered four days a week with club members volunteering their time and services.  The Rotary Club of Salisbury is the only civic organization providing such support through the MAC Center's Meals on Wheels program.  During these years of volunteer participation, club members have delivered 110,000 meals while saving the Meals on Wheels program $460,000 in transportation costs as club members use their own vehicles.  

Tanzania Hospital

The Rotary Club of Salisbury is working to help the lives of Tanzanians by helping with the establishment of a medical clinic in Kamachumu, Tanzania.   
 
International service is one of the hallmarks of Rotary and the dire need for improved medical services in the east African nation of Tanzania is a reason for the club’s participation.  With a population of more than 65 million persons, there are fewer than 9,000 working doctors in the nation.  The Rotary-supported clinic will help relieve the burden faced by the people of Tanzania.
With a building constructed, the Rotary Club of Salisbury is working on the acquisition and delivery of medical equipment.  So far, the club has enough medical and related supplies to fill a 40-foot shipping container.  Recently, the club accepted two portable Medtronic LIFEPAK defibrillators for the clinic ambulance.  
 
Additionally, The Rotary Club of Salisbury is working on the logistics and financing of the six-to-eight week cargo ship transit time.   
 

Scholarships

Five students each year receive awards from the Helen C. Wootton Scholarship Fund. Helen Wootton was a long-time employee of the Wicomico County public school system.  She believed every student should have the opportunity to further his or her education.  This fund was established at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore in her name to honor her service to the youth of this community and provide scholarships to students from each Wicomico County public high school. 

 
The scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating a commitment to service, exhibiting leadership and a strong alignment with Rotary’s Four-Way Test code of conduct. The Four-Way Test asks: Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it bring goodwill and better friendships, and Will it be beneficial to all concerned?