When communities face disaster, Rotary doesn’t simply respond. Rotarians show up, roll up their sleeves, and stay until the work is done.
That spirit was on full display June 4 to 6 as nearly 100 Rotarians, Girl Scouts, and community volunteers gathered at Camp Tanglewood in Augusta to help restore a place that has shaped generations of young leaders.
Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, Camp Tanglewood faced significant damage that threatened its ability to welcome campers for the 2026 season. Thanks to the generosity of Rotarians across District 6910 and support from The Rotary Foundation, the path to recovery became possible.
Through the efforts of Rotary District 6910, a $50,000 Rotary Foundation grant was secured to support reconstruction efforts at the camp. Combined with hundreds of volunteer hours, that investment is helping ensure Camp Tanglewood can continue providing life-changing experiences for Girl Scouts for years to come.
The June workdays showcased Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self. Volunteers cleaned and prepared 12 cabins, built a new pavilion, and installed awnings on the camp’s bathhouse, helping restore critical facilities before campers arrive. Even after the community workday concluded, Rotarians returned on Friday and Saturday to keep the momentum going and ensure the camp would be ready to open for the 2026 season.
Camp Tanglewood was just one chapter in District 6910’s disaster recovery efforts. Earlier this year, Rotarians traveled to Swannanoa, North Carolina, to partner with the Buckeye Cove Community Center as that community continued recovering from Hurricane Helene. Volunteers cleaned up a local park, built a new basketball court to create a safe gathering space for neighborhood children and families, and presented a $50,000 disaster relief check to the local Rotary club to support ongoing recovery efforts.
Together, these projects represent more than financial support. They demonstrate Rotary’s unique ability to combine grant funding with hands-on service, creating lasting change where it is needed most.
Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia shared their appreciation for the partnership:
“We were truly inspired by the amazing turnout. The energy, teamwork, and shared purpose demonstrated throughout the workdays are a powerful reminder of what can be accomplished when a community unites in service.”
The organization also expressed heartfelt gratitude for both the financial support and the countless volunteer hours contributed by District 6910 members, noting that the impact will be felt by Girl Scouts for years to come.
Whether rebuilding camps, restoring parks, constructing places for children to play, or helping communities recover after a disaster, Rotary District 6910 continues to prove that Service Above Self is more than a motto. It is a promise to stand with communities when they need us most.
Thank you to every Rotarian, family member, and community volunteer who gave their time, talents, and hard work. Because of your service, lives are being changed, communities are healing, and hope continues to grow.
Additional photos from the Camp Tanglewood workdays are available in the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia Flickr album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/gshg/albums/72177720334031261/with/55314430546/. You may even spot a familiar face!
