Over the past nine decades, Rotary has been instrumental in a number of service events, partnering themselves with various groups within the Houlton community. The group has raised more than $1 million for its various service projects over the years.
Year Projects
1921 Purchased uniforms for the Houlton Town Band
1922 Junior Baseball League, Boys Work Committee (Rink Care)
1925 Scholarship funds to help young people obtain an education
1930 First Christmas auction to help local charitable causes
1935 Donation for HHS students for college education
1950 Ricker College, jamborees and air shows to raise money
1956 First radio auction, raised $8,000 for Ricker College
1970 Auctions to date, raised over $100,000 for Madigan and Aroostook Hospitals received funds for seed money to start building the Houlton Regional Hospital (HRH).
Also, established the Oscar French Memorial Scholarship
for Ricker students
1971/72/73 Restoration of the Boy and the Boot & Fountain.
1975 Pool Fund was the project for the town. The monies raised
were not enough to build, so those funds were later used to help build the John Millar Arena ($40,000)
1976 First “Paul Harris Fellowship” presented to P.D.G. Harold
Inman — 40 “Paul Harris Fellowships” have been present ed by this club ($40,000) to Rotary International Foundation.
1977 Restore the Town Clock bell. Took over Ricker canoe races.
1978 Revitalization funding for the downtown area.
1980 Funds for the development program for the HRH
1982 HRH. 3-year fund-raiser
1983 Display cabinet for the Houlton New Tourist Center
1985 Pewter Boy & Boot Endowment Fund
1988 Welcome signs for town — downtown beautification
1989 Improvements for the new Millar Arena
1991 Restoration original Cary Library to make a children’s library
1992 Funds for the sound system for HHS auditorium
1993 Southside School reference library
1996 Raised $55,000-plus for Houlton amphitheater project.
1997/98 Amphitheater project completed and presented to the Town.
1999 Soap Box Derby Hill construction started with fund-raising. River Side Park Project /Rotary Soap Box Derby Car
2000 Animal Shelter funds for needed construction
2001 Historical video, HHS auditorium curtains and gym floor
2002/03/04 Skate park project
2005/06 Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum
2007 Houlton Community Arts Center
2008 Houlton Elementary School and Town of Houlton playgrounds
2009 Houlton Community Arts Center and area Little League
2010 Houlton Area Little League, Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association, Houlton Community Arts Center seating
Other yearly projects: Dollars for Scholars, Raised funds for the Houlton Higher Education Center, Meals for the Elderly, Houlton Hockey & Baseball, Babes, Dare, Battered Women Health Services Foundation, Salute our Local Emergency Responders, Cary Library, Salvation Army, Children’s Theater, Polio Plus Rotary Program.
