Rotary Club of Key West Marks 110 Years, Names Rotary Legends Honorees

Nine Key West residents will be inducted as Rotary Legends when the Rotary Club of Key West marks its 110th anniversary on April 1 at the Opal Key Resort, capping more than a century of civic work by one of the oldest Rotary clubs in the United States.

The honorees are David Freeman, Elizabeth Freeman, Bascom Grooms Sr., Bascom Grooms IV, Albert Gonzalez, Andy Griffiths, Sandy Higgs, Ronnie Leonard and Rachel Oropeza. The Rotary Legends designation recognizes individuals whose leadership, dedication and generosity have had a lasting effect on the club and the broader Key West community.

Among the class is Bascom Grooms IV, the great-grandson of Bascom Grooms, whose recognition reflects what the club describes as a multigenerational commitment to Rotary and community service, including service as club president.

"Rotary has been part of the heartbeat of Key West for more than a century," said Joe Caso, president of the Rotary Club of Key West. "The Legends we are honoring this year represent generations of dedication to service, generosity and leadership that have helped shape our community."

The anniversary celebration runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Guest tickets are $110. Additional information and ticketing are available at keywestrotary.com.

Founded in 1916 under the motto "Service Above Self," the club has built a long record of civic infrastructure in Key West. A city proclamation issued at the club's 100th anniversary credited Rotary with helping establish both the Chamber of Commerce and the Key West Chapter of the American Red Cross. The club also helped launch the Key West High School football program, created Boy Scout Troop 52 and sponsored the first local participant to Florida Girls State.

Its ongoing programs include the Rotary Dental program for children, annual Citizenship Awards to local school children and the $25,000 Paul J. Sher Scholarship for a graduating senior. The club also supports Hospital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti and has contributed to global polio immunization campaigns that, according to historical coverage of the club's centennial, helped protect more than two billion children in 122 countries.

Beyond the April 1 anniversary event, the club maintains an active calendar throughout the year, including a Golf Tournament at Key West Golf Club, a Reverse Raffle at Flama Cabana, the Stock Island Holiday Lighted Boat Parade and Carnival in December, and its annual 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks over the Key West waterfront.