Service Above Self is what Rotary is all about. From the beginning when the Rotary Club of Swansboro was chartered in 1978 every Club Member has recognized their responsibility to make a difference in the community by demonstrating this motto of Rotary "Service Above Self"

During the past 22 years Swansboro Rotarians have successfully raised hundreds of thousands of dollars with oyster roasts, golf tournaments, beach music festivals, last out drawings, auctions and fishing tournaments. These funds have provided scholarships to hundreds of High School graduates.

Funds have been used to purchase and build recreation equipment for local schools and the municipal park at Emerald Isle. Rotarians have generously given time and money to support the elderly, computers for kindergarten students, Boy Scouts, Children's Hospital, the Mile of Hope, local Little Leagues, Boys and Girls Home at Waccamaw and many other worthy requests.

Rotarians recognized a need in the community for a facility to have their functions and share with the community The leadership of Rotarians and the support of the community built the Swansboro Rotary Civic Center which is the crown jewel of the Club.

It is estimated that attendees at Rotary functions annually spend approximately one million dollars for Lodging, Food, Fuel, Gifts and other purchases in the community All funds from functions of the Rotary Club of Swansboro stays in the community and the community is ten (10) miles in any direction from the Swansboro Rotary Civic Center. Swansboro Rotarians provides funds for World Wide Services with their personal assets.

Club Members and local supporters have contributed over one hundred thousand dollars over the years to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to promote educational and humanitarian programs as a commitment to peace and to a better life for people across the world whom they may never meet. This is a truly selfless action and "Service Above Self".

-John Eller