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Service

At the heart of everything we do is Rotary’s guiding principle: “Service Above Self.” Officially adopted as the motto of Rotary International in 1989, these three words perfectly capture the spirit of unselfish volunteerism that defines the Swansboro Rotary Club.

Our members dedicate their time, talents, and resources to meet the needs of our community and beyond. Whether it’s organizing impactful fundraisers, supporting educational initiatives, responding to natural disasters, or mentoring future leaders, Swansboro Rotarians are always ready to serve.

Our service efforts reflect a strong commitment to making a meaningful difference—especially in areas such as:

Youth and Education – Scholarships, leadership development, and youth programs like Interact and RYLA
Community Support – Disaster relief, neighborhood revitalization, and food assistance
Fundraising for Impact – Signature events like the Oyster Roast, Last Out Drawing, and Foundation Auction

By living out “Service Above Self,” we’re not only changing lives—we’re building a stronger, more resilient Swansboro for generations to come.

Youth Service

Investing in Youth, Education, and Community Empowerment

Dictionaries for 3rd Graders

In partnership with other Rotary Clubs across Onslow County, the Swansboro Rotary Club helps provide personalized dictionaries to every third-grade student in Onslow County Schools. This simple yet powerful gift fosters early literacy and instills a love of learning that can last a lifetime.

College Scholarships

Since 1985, Swansboro Rotary has made education a top priority by awarding over $800,000 in college scholarships to deserving graduating seniors from Swansboro, Croatan, and West Carteret High Schools. These scholarships open doors of opportunity and help launch students toward a brighter future.

Literacy Support Initiatives

Committed to promoting lifelong learning, the club proudly sponsors the Onslow County Literary Publication and actively supports the Carteret County Literacy Council’s Spelling Bee. These programs celebrate language, creativity, and the importance of strong literacy skills for all ages.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)

Each year, the club sponsors high-potential high school juniors to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards weekend conference at Pine Knoll Shores. RYLA equips students with leadership training, communication skills, and the confidence to lead with purpose.

BackPack Friends Program

To fight weekend hunger among local children, Swansboro Rotary partners with BackPack Friends Ministries, providing financial support and supplies to ensure approximately 120 students receive nutritious meals when school is out. This effort ensures no child goes hungry on weekends.

Sponsors for Academic Talent, Inc. (SAT)

Through financial contributions to Sponsors for Academic Talent (SAT), the club supports additional scholarship opportunities for outstanding students across Onslow County high schools, reinforcing its commitment to academic excellence.

Take-A-Kid Fishing

In partnership with the Take-A-Kid Fishing Foundation, Swansboro Rotary provides a joyful, educational day on the water for over 200 underprivileged children. The event includes fishing, food, fun, and fellowship, giving children a chance to connect with nature and build confidence.

Take-A-Kid Shopping

Each holiday season, Rotarians and community volunteers chaperone more than 20 local children for a special day of shopping at JCPenney and Sears, helping them choose new clothes and winter essentials. This act of kindness brings warmth and joy to families in need.

Job Shadow Program

High school seniors from Swansboro and Croatan High Schools are invited to spend a day with Rotary members and local business leaders to explore various careers. This Job Shadow Day gives students practical exposure to the professional world and insight into their future career paths.

Take-A-Kid Fishing

In partnership with the Take-A-Kid Fishing Foundation, Swansboro Rotary provides a joyful, educational day on the water for over 200 underprivileged children. The event includes fishing, food, fun, and fellowship, giving children a chance to connect with nature and build confidence.

Take-A-Kid Shopping

Each holiday season, Rotarians and community volunteers chaperone more than 20 local children for a special day of shopping at JCPenney and Sears, helping them choose new clothes and winter essentials. This act of kindness brings warmth and joy to families in need.

Job Shadow Program

High school seniors from Swansboro and Croatan High Schools are invited to spend a day with Rotary members and local business leaders to explore various careers. This Job Shadow Day gives students practical exposure to the professional world and insight into their future career paths.

Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina

In collaboration with regional Rotary Clubs, the Swansboro Rotary Club helps support a “Rotary Cottage” at the Boys and Girls Home in Lake Waccamaw, NC. This initiative provides at-risk youth with a safe, supportive living environment and the resources they need to thrive.

Community Service

Habitat for Humanity

In partnership with Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity and fellow Rotary Clubs from the region, the Swansboro Rotary Club proudly contributed to the construction of a safe, affordable home for a deserving family right here in our community. This hands-on project not only provided shelter—it also symbolized hope, dignity, and a fresh start. Rotarians rolled up their sleeves to help build more than a house; they helped build a stronger future.

Disaster Relief & Hurricane Response

Disaster Relief & Hurricane Response
When natural disasters strike, the Swansboro Rotary Club is quick to act. We’ve provided financial aid, supplies, and recovery support to victims of Hurricane Sandy, as well as numerous other hurricanes and tornadoes that have impacted communities both near and far. Our contributions are part of a broader Rotary network committed to disaster response, delivering critical resources when they’re needed most—offering comfort, stability, and a path toward rebuilding lives.

Swansboro Rotary Civic Center

What began as a bold vision has become one of Swansboro’s most valued community assets—the Swansboro Rotary Civic Center. Funded through the generosity of Rotary members, local families, friends, and businesses, this facility stands as a testament to what service and collaboration can achieve. Today, the Civic Center is home to community gatherings, celebrations, fundraisers, and public events, offering a welcoming space where memories are made and connections flourish. The Swansboro Rotary Club remains committed to its stewardship, ensuring it continues to serve as a hub for civic engagement and community unity.

Because Every Kid Deserves A Chance

The Take A Kid Fishing Foundation: Changing Lives Through Saltwater Adventures

Founded 25 years ago by Bob Hodges, the Take A Kid Fishing Foundation, Inc. began with a simple yet powerful mission: to offer disadvantaged and disabled youth across North Carolina the unique opportunity to experience saltwater fishing off the coast of Morehead City. Beyond the thrill of the catch, Bob envisioned a program that would educate these young participants about marine conservation and foster a deeper appreciation for our ocean environment.

What started in 1988 with just 35 children has blossomed into an extraordinary journey impacting over 1,000 young lives by 2006. Over the years, the foundation has grown not only in the number of children served but also in its reach and influence, inspiring hope and confidence in countless youth through memorable days on the water.

As the program has expanded, so too have the operational demands. With an annual budget of approximately $55,000 and the responsibility to accommodate 1,000 children, the foundation relies heavily on the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers. These committed individuals and organizations are truly the lifeblood of Take A Kid Fishing, ensuring that this vital mission continues to thrive.

We are deeply grateful to every volunteer, contributor, and partnering head boat captain who has supported our program. Your unwavering commitment makes it possible to provide these children with a once-in-a-lifetime experience—one that can spark a lifelong connection to nature and inspire a brighter future.

Because Take A Kid Fishing operates solely through donations, partnerships with organizations like the Swansboro Rotary Club are crucial to our survival and success. The members of Swansboro Rotary work tirelessly to raise funds, provide facilities, and host events, enabling us to keep delivering this impactful program year after year. Their generosity and dedication exemplify the spirit of community service, and we are forever indebted to them for their ongoing support.

If you would like to learn more about the Take A Kid Fishing Foundation, get involved, or make a donation, please contact Teresa Holcombe at 252-808-8303, write to us at:

P.O. Box 1191

Morehead City, NC 28557,

or visit our website at www.takf.org.

Together, we can continue to create unforgettable memories and meaningful opportunities because Every Kid Deserves A Chance.

International Service

Through these international efforts, the Swansboro Rotary Club demonstrates that “Service Above Self” knows no borders. Our commitment to building a better world is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the unwavering belief in Rotary’s ability to unite people for the common good.

Rotary International Foundation

As the charitable arm of Rotary International, the Rotary Foundation plays a vital role in promoting global peace, improving health, supporting education, and reducing poverty around the world. Guided by its mission “to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace,” the Foundation funds thousands of life-changing projects each year.

The Swansboro Rotary Club is a proud and active supporter of this mission. Through annual per capita contributions, dedicated fundraisers, and awareness campaigns, our club helps ensure that vital humanitarian work continues in communities far beyond our own. From clean water to disease prevention, our investment in the Rotary Foundation extends Rotary’s reach to every corner of the globe.

International Partnerships

Our club is committed to making a tangible difference worldwide through strategic partnerships with sister Rotary clubs:

In Mexico, we partnered with local clubs to donate a fire truck to an underserved village lacking emergency infrastructure—greatly enhancing the community’s safety and response capability.
In another Mexican village, we funded and installed 25 computers to support digital literacy and education for children who had limited access to learning tools.
In Peru, we worked hand-in-hand with a sister club to purchase and install a modern X-ray machine, significantly improving access to quality medical care for families in need.

These projects are a powerful reminder that even modest contributions, when paired with Rotary’s global network, can have a profound and lasting impact.

Ambassadorial Scholars

The Swansboro Rotary Club also champions education and cultural exchange by sponsoring Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholars. One such scholar pursued his graduate degree in Fiji, while simultaneously serving in the Peace Corps. His work not only advanced educational and humanitarian goals but also embodied the ideals of Rotary—serving as a global ambassador for peace, collaboration, and cross-cultural understanding.