Westbrook-Gorham Rotary was established on Christmas Eve 1925 and was chartered as a Rotary Club on March 8, 1926.   Over the years, the club has served our community in many ways.   
 
Our current Projects and Fundraisers include:
 
Rotary House Project - A collaboration among Westbrook Regional Vocational Center, our Rotary Club, and the City of Westbrook. Since 1958, Rotary has worked with the City to secure land and purchase building materials. The students of the Vocational Center get real world practical experience in site preparation and home construction. Proceeds from the sale of each home is used for scholarships and to purchase material for the next house. 
 
Scholarships - Each year, we offer multiple scholarships to WRVC students, as well as "most improved" students from Westbrook HS and Gorham HS.  We also offer Interact scholarships at both WHS and GHS.  The Interact scholarship at  Gorham High School is named in memory of Rev William Chadwick.
 
Patriot's Day Road Race - Since 1949, each year on Patriot's Day we invite runners from local high schools to a pre-season competition. Prizes are awarded.  The start and end points of the course have varied slightly over the years.  Originally the race began in front of the old High School on Main St.  Now the race begins and ends at Riverbank Park. A fun community event!
 
Culinary Arts at WRVC - Since January 2002, the Club has met in the Culinary Arts Dining room of the Westbrook Regional Vocational Center. On most Tuesdays, the students prepare and serve meals to us as part of the curriculum.  Their work is always enjoyed!
 
The Locker Project - A food recovery and hunger prevention project in the greater Portland area. Pre-pandemic, members volunteered twice a month to help lay out fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and meats at Westbrook High School and encouraged kids to "shop".  These food are donated by local grocers, bakeries, farmers (in season) and other local businesses. Currently, we help support two Community Events each week on Mondays and Thursdays, excluding holidays.
 
Literacy - Reading is a skill that is a key predictor of success in high school and beyond.   At this time we have three ongoing projects, and support others on a one-time basis:  
1) Hannaford Community Cash through CLNK: Proceeds from bottle returns purchase books for our local libraries 
2) Speakers books: Each week we have a program, we donate a book in honor of our speaker to either the Walker Library or the Baxter Library 
3) Books for Kids: As needed and possible, we donate gently used books books where children who may not be able to afford books at home may gather (like food pantries).
4) Community Reads: We have helped fund books for "community reads" in Gorham and Westbrook.
 
Reading Friends - Several members read with young students during the school year at Gorham's Village School.
 
River Cleanup - In support of the Rotary are of Focus Protecting the Environment, our club lead a multi-organization clean up along the Presumpscot River in fall 2021.  We hope to sponsor similar cleanup efforts each year.
 
Interact Clubs - We currently sponsor Interact Clubs at Westbrook High School and Gorham High School.  Interact is Rotary's high school arm. Students do volunteer work in their community and may also become involved in an international project.
 
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.  Each year we sponsor several students (rising Juniors) from Gorham and Westbrook High Schools so they can attend this leadership training and development camp.  Held at Camp Hinds each June, the students spend four days in the woods developing new friendships and expanding their view of themselves.
 
Christmas Tree Sale - One of our two signature fundraisers. We sell Christmas Trees  and wreaths in Riverbank Park off Main St Westbrook.  Sales start around noon on the Friday after Thanksgiving and continue until trees are sold out.
 
Annual Golf Classic - One of our two signature fundraisers.  Held at Gorham Country Club every September, usually the third Thursday or Friday of the month. Various sponsorship levels are available.
 
Westbrook Together Days - Each year, Rotarians spread out to support several local causes in our Community like My Place Teen Center, FBC, and Westbrook Community Center.  Sometimes we may even have our own Club booth!!
 
International Service - Our club has sponsored and/or supported several international projects over the years. In 2019, we formed a partnership with the Rotary Club Oradea Art Nouveau (Romania) to address literacy in a rural elementary school.  Two District Grants later, we have formally signed a Twinning Agreement with that club.  In 2017-2018 we initiated a Global Grant Water Project, in partnership with 14 other clubs, to bring clean water to several communities in the Rio Dolce area of Guatemala.   In February 2017, we completed a District Grant to provide medical trauma bags and training to three communities in rural Guatemala.  We also provided funds and muscle to help build 12 eco-stoves. These stoves vent cooking smoke from homes, improving health outcomes from mother and children.  In previous years we have supported work at dental clinics in Guatemala and Azerbaijan.  
 
Fellowship - Rotary was founded on the principle of Vocation as an opportunity for service, but it is also as an opportunity for fellowship. We meet most Tuesdays for lunch with interesting programs and speakers from our community.   We also find time each year for a mid-winter dinner in February or March (and sometimes spring if the weather does not cooperate!), Christmas Party in December, and a Lobster Bake in July.