R. Dale Edwards

Edwards elected as Lodi Rotary Club's president

R. Dale Edwards has been inducted as the Lodi Rotary Club's 2008-09 president. Edwards is the senior pastor of Century Assembly and has been a member of the Lodi club for eight years. His term officially began July 1.

This year's theme for Rotary is "Make Dreams Real," and the Lodi Rotary Club is committed to making dreams real both internationally and in Lodi, said Edwards.

Two major projects that the Lodi Rotary Club will undertake during Edward's term include providing a clean source of water for an orphanage in Kingston Jamaica, as well assisting the ongoing development of the Lodi World of Wonders Science Museum.

For the last several years Rotary International has been involved with the eradication of polio worldwide. Rotary has raised millions of dollars in this effort and with the exception of a handful of countries, this dreaded disease has been wiped out.

Each year, 30,000 children die from preventable diseases. Many of those are water born. Add to this, common childhood diseases such as measles, chicken pox, whooping cough and other diseases that are easily treated here in America. Lodi Rotarians have an opportunity this year to reach out as a local Rotary club and join with hundreds of clubs all over the world to make a difference.

According to Edwards, in addition to an international project, Lodi Rotary is endeavoring to make an impact at home as well.

"Once again we will be distributing dictionaries to all third graders in the Lodi Unified School District. We want to update a project at Hutchins Street Square that was done by Lodi Rotary some years ago, and will also be involved with a Christmas project that will impact the less fortunate in our community through some of the programs and agencies that work tirelessly to help those in need," he said.

Also named to the Lodi Rotary Club 2008-09 board of directors is President-Elect Eric Daegling, Secretary Bob Slayback, Treasurer Jerry Hugo and Board Members-at-Large Russell Horn, Ron Mettler, Pat Patrick, Nancy Beckman, Doug Holck, Jerry Fry, Ron Beckman, Greg Walther, Scott Wilson, Larry Whitted, Sheila Zweifel and Immediate Past President Gerald Evans.

The Lodi Rotary Club was established in 1921 and is the longest-running club in Lodi. Anyone wanting information on Rotary or Rotary International may contact R. Dale Edwards at 334-3225.