AUBURN – Feb. 23 marked the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Rotary International. In celebration, the Auburn-Lewiston Rotary Breakfast Club members were greeted with a special anniversary cake, prepared by Gladys Chapman and the volunteers at the United Methodist Church of Auburn, where the club meets each week.

Around the world, Rotary clubs are marking the year with special centennial projects. The Auburn-Lewiston club has chosen to support Museum L/A and has pledged financial support as well as volunteer labor to help the museum continue to grow.

Rotary International began on Feb. 23, 1905, in Chicago, when four businessmen gathered to discuss the formation of a new organization that would bring business leaders together periodically “to enjoy camaraderie and to enlarge their circle of business and professional acquaintances.” One of the founders was Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor who had moved to Chicago from Litchfield.

Today, Rotary International is a nonprofit service organization with approximately 1.2 million Rotarians in more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries.

The Auburn-Lewiston club provides more than $20,000 a year in grants to local and international charities, with funds raised through the Trip-of-the-Month raffle, its annual golf tournament in June and the Great Duck Race in August.

For more information about the club or its work in the community, those interested should contact President Sherwood Moody at 786-5700.