The Club has been responsible for many service projects in the area, the first of which was the planting of Royal Palms along McGregor Boulevard in 1922. The City of Palms Committee continues this type of work today.
Legend has it Thomas Edison imported 200 palms trees and lined the dirt road then known as Riverside Drive from his winter estate to downtown Fort Myers. In 1922, Rotary Fort Myers continued the tradition started by Edison and extended the planting of palms trees along what is now Mcgregor Boulevard.
The Downtown Fort Myers Rotary Club has supported Florida SouthWestern State College (formerly Edison State College) through seed money for the Nursing School, lighting for the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery, an elevator for the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, and has held meetings on the Thomas Edison Campus. Several club members have served in leadership capacities (Trustees, foundation board members) and the faculty and club members enjoy a great partnership.
Funding of the Mike Lawrence bike and jogging path, which runs along McGregor Boulevard from Cleveland Avenue downtown to Cypress Lake Dr at the Town and River Estates.
The early completion of I-75 from Tampa south to Naples was a major project of the club that resulted in the highway opening 20 years ahead of the original schedule.
On the Club’s 75th anniversary, special playground equipment for handicapped children at Centennial Park was provided and dedicated.
Rotary Fort Myers is currently providing significant funds to ECHO’s fight against hunger in 180 countries.
Other projects include the participation in the acquisition of land that became Page Field, Fort Myers Beach Country Club, and the public beach area at Fort Myers Beach.