History of the Rotary Club of Arden

The Rotary Club of Arden had an initial membership of 28 men. Led by J. Hubert “Hubie” Wood, its first president, the club met for breakfast, a new concept for Rotary. This concept proved visionary however, as it attracted many Rotarians wishing to make up their attendance record and directly spawned two new breakfast clubs, The Asheville Breakfast Club (for which our club received a New Club Award from then District Governor Mark Markanda for its efforts in founding this club in our district) and the Weaverville Club. The Rotary Club of Arden was one of the first in the District to admit women.

A year after its inception, in November 1982, the club held its first annual golf tournament. Dubbed the Polar Bear Classic, because of its late playing date, it was a modest start for what would later become a significant fundraiser by the club for the Eliada Home for Children. Forty-nine players and ten sponsors played in the first tournament. The last foursome finished just as snowflakes began to fall. Subsequently, the date was moved up to allow for play during the milder weather of autumn. The Annual Fall Classic tournament has been popular, with as many as 120+ players one year. Over 20 years the club has raised more than $100,000 to support Eliada Homes, an organization in East Asheville with a variety of programs to help children, adolescents, and families through difficult times. Proceeds have also been distributed to the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity and other local projects.

The Rotary Club of Arden has 100% participation in the Rotary Foundation, with one Major Donor, 18 Paul Harris Fellows (50% of members) and the rest are Rotary International Foundation Sustaining Members.

Our club also hosts several annual social events for members’ families including a pig-roast, picnic and a Christmas party.