PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 6, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Rotary International, the world's oldest service organization, will celebrate its 100th birthday in the 2004-2005 year. To celebrate this milestone, the Rotary Club of Philadelphia, one of Rotary's oldest clubs, is hosting a spectacular luncheon at the Union League on December 16.
As part of the day's festivities, the Philadelphia club will be one of only five clubs honored for their outstanding humanitarian service over the years. They will be honored for their long-term challenge in helping raise well over $220,000 for the elimination of polio worldwide and for the sponsorship of a 1999 National Immunization Day in Madagascar. Philadelphia Rotary also will be the recipient of the Rotary International Centennial Bell. The Centennial Bell is one of only 5 bells that will circle the globe honoring the world's first 100 Rotary clubs. The Rotary Club of Philadelphia is the 19th chartered Rotary club in the world. The Centennial Bell's voyage to the first 100 clubs began in Brisbane, Australia in June 2003 and will end at the 2005 Rotary International convention in Chicago IL, the birthplace of Rotary.
Media personality Trudy Haynes, University of PA basketball coach Fran Dunphy, and several local prominent Rotarians, will be honored for their dedication to practicing the Rotary Creed of "Service Above Self."
By proclamation, the City of Philadelphia will declare December 16, 2004 'Rotary Day' in the city and a giant cake in the shape of the Liberty Bell will be served.
For more information or reservations, please contact Louis F. Mosca at 215-446-8693 or Sharon Quick at 215-557-1806. Media Welcome.
Come Celebrate Rotary's 100 Years Of Service Above Self!!