The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties has once again been recognized as the Medium Sized Club of the Year for Rotary District 6910, marking an unprecedented eighth consecutive year of receiving the District’s highest honor. The announcement was made at the recent annual District 6910 Conference, where club President Martha Franks accepted the award on behalf of the Club.

Rotary District Governor Bobby Hildreth praised the club’s exceptional service and consistency, stating, “Year after year, the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties sets a gold standard in leadership, community impact, and member engagement. Their dedication to ‘Service Above Self’ is evident in everything they do.”

The club continues to earn district-wide acclaim through their signature service projects, which include:

Second Harvest – Many families in Greene and Putnam Counties experience food insecurity.  The Rotary Club provides food for needy families in Greene County every third Saturday of the month. Over two million pounds of food have been distributed since the inception of the program more than fifteen years ago. In addition, over 200 K-fourth-graders go home every Friday during the school year with a small nutritious backpack meal to ensure that they have food available over the weekend. The Club also partners with several other local churches and organizations to support a weekly soup kitchen, Our Father’s Kitchen, at Greensboro Methodist Church-Lake Oconee, providing hot meals and fellowship for those in need.

Shoes 4 Kids – Biannually, our Rotary Club provides shoes, socks and books to 130 underprivileged children in Greene and Putnam Counties. The students are treated to a shopping trip at Shoe Carnival in Augusta, complete with a Chick-fil-A breakfast. With the help of Rotarians and volunteers, each child selects new shoes, socks, and a book. The smiles and excitement on their faces make this one of the most heartwarming events of the year.

Books 4 Kids – Many of the children in our community go to preschool or kindergarten without the prerequisite knowledge and skills to be successful.  Many have never had a book read to them.  Our Rotary Club provides volunteers and resources aimed at putting books in the hands of underserved children and their caregivers. To date, more than 2000 books have been distributed to children ages ten and younger.

Pets Love Vets – Recognizing the powerful bond between humans and animals, Pets Love Vets enables Military Veterans to adopt a shelter dog or cat at no cost. The Rotary Club covers all adoption expenses, helping Veterans find companionship while giving shelter animals a loving home. Since the program began, it has successfully placed almost 190 pets with Veterans.

Student of the Month Recognition – Each month during the school year, the Club recognizes exemplary students from each of the five local high schools in Greene and Putnam Counties. The students, their most influential teachers, and their families attend a Rotary meeting to give the students and teachers plaques and publicly recognize them for their excellent performance. A $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually for further education to one student from each of the local five high schools in Greene and Putnam Counties. These are lifetime memories for those students and their families.

International Service – One of the club’s most dedicated Rotarians leads impactful global outreach through her work with Alliance for Smiles, supported in part by the club. She writes grants and joins international medical missions that bring life-changing cleft lip and palate surgeries to underserved communities around the world. Beyond the surgeries themselves, she also helps establish long-term treatment centers and trains local medical teams in U.S.-standard cleft care protocols — ensuring lasting impact well after each mission ends.

Environmental Service – The Rotary Club was also recognized for its commitment to environmental stewardship. Among the club’s notable projects were the installation of osprey nesting platforms to support local bird populations and the repurposing of used Christmas trees to enhance fish habitats in Lake Oconee. These efforts reflect the club’s dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural resources that are vital to the local ecosystem.

Community and Youth Projects

The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties remains deeply committed to supporting local youth, Veterans, and underserved families through a wide range of hands-on service initiatives, including:

• U.S. Flag Retirement Program
  For the past 17 years, the Club has honored the American flag by collecting and properly retiring over 3,000 worn or damaged flags, in partnership with local Scouts Troops and the Lake Oconee Elks, who conduct formal disposal ceremonies.
• Meals on Wheels
  Club members support the local Meals on Wheels program by delivering meals weekly to homebound residents who might otherwise go without proper nutrition.
• EarlyAct at Pete Nance Boys & Girls Club
  A service club designed for elementary school students, EarlyAct instills the values of leadership and community service from a young age.
• Interact Clubs in Local High Schools
  Our Interact Clubs empower youth ages 12 to 18 to engage in meaningful service and develop leadership skills guided by Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self.
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
  In the Summer of 2025, the club sponsored five outstanding high school students to attend the RYLA leadership camp in scenic Tallulah Falls. The fun-filled camp is a transformative experience that cultivates future leaders.
• Laws of Life Essay Contest
  A state-wide character education program, this annual contest encourages high school students to explore ethical values and life lessons. Top essays are honored with awards and public recognition.
• Four-Way Test Essay Contest
  Students explore the principles of Rotary’s Four-Way Test in this annual writing competition, promoting ethical thinking and integrity.
• Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP)
  Through GRSP, the club proudly sponsors an international student ambassador who spends the academic year studying at the University of Georgia. The program advances cultural understanding and social experiences through friendship, develops potential global leaders, and expands the ideals of Rotary around the world.
• Musical Instrument Installations for Public Enjoyment
  The club installed interactive outdoor musical instruments at Butterflies & Blooms in the Briar Patch Habitat and Harmony Crossing Park, offering creative expression and fun for families and visitors of all ages.
• Beds for Kids Program
  In collaboration with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Rotary Club helps ensure that no child in the community has to sleep on the floor by providing much-needed beds for kids who would otherwise be sleeping on the floor.

In accepting the award, President Martha Franks remarked, “This recognition is a testament to the tireless efforts of our Club members, partners, and community supporters. We are deeply honored and more inspired than ever to keep serving and strengthening our communities.”

The Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties continues to lead with purpose, passion, and a steadfast commitment to making a difference locally and globally.

For more information on the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties and its programs, visit www.greeneputnamrotary.org.