If you look a little closer, you’ll find that the heart of each Rotary Club beats with a simple desire: to serve others. Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent members join for all kinds of reasons. Some come to connect with new friends, looking for a warm and welcoming social circle. Others want to network with leaders in Howard County, where friendships in Rotary can naturally blossom into rewarding business relationships. Yet, what truly unites us all is the shared joy and purpose in serving others.
Remarkably, the most effective way to forge friendships and build meaningful connections is to work alongside fellow Rotarians to make a difference. This experience, this blend of camaraderie and service, is the “secret sauce” that makes our club so special. Whether your primary motivation is community service, friendship, or professional connections, you’ll find that by giving back, you fulfill all those goals—and you’ll have a lot of fun along the way.
With over 35,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, each approaches community service in unique ways. The Rotary Club of Columbia-Patuxent raises funds for various local nonprofits supporting Howard County and takes part in hands-on projects that bring us face-to-face with our people. Here are just a few examples of the work we’ve done together:
- Preparing weekly bag lunches for the Grassroots Crisis Center throughout the summer.
- Partnering with the Community Ecology Institute to run power lines, rehabilitate wells and install water systems to nurture plants and provide classroom spaces.
- Packing care boxes for cancer patients through Respite Retreats.
- Joining other Rotary clubs in Howard County to rehabilitate homes in our annual Rebuilding Together program.
“Community service” can mean different things to different people. Some members roll up their sleeves for hands-on work, while others focus on supporting charitable efforts financially. New members often find projects that resonate with their passions, working alongside others with similar interests. Even in an affluent area like Howard County, countless families struggle with basic needs. Whether you’re driven to help address poverty, environmental concerns, healthcare, housing, or any other need, you’ll find members ready to support your cause and magnify your efforts in a way that goes beyond what you could accomplish alone.
Our commitment to service doesn’t end at Howard County. Through Rotary International, we connect with clubs worldwide to address challenges far beyond local borders. From health and maternal care to environmental and educational projects, we do “hands on” projects with Rotarians around the globe to make a positive impact. If you’ve ever dreamed of being part of an international cause, joining Rotary opens up a network of over 2 million members in more than 200 countries who share your values and passion for making a difference.
If you’re ready to find a place where you can make a meaningful impact while meeting warm, inspiring people, we’d love for you to join us. Our meetings take place every Friday at 7:30 am over breakfast at the Periodic Table restaurant in Columbia. To learn more about our local service projects, please reach out to Service Chair Geoff Carton at glcarton@gmail.com. If you’re interested in club membership, Sandy Harriman can answer all your questions at sharrima1@verizon.net. To explore Rotary International’s work, visit Rotary.org.
Come join us, and let’s make a difference together.
-- KEN SOLOW
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