A Lasting Legacy GRSP Peace Plaza. Generations of Generosity

During John Brown’s year as president of the Thomasville Rotary Club, it was his desire to leave a lasting legacy for the 100th year anniversary of his Club and at the same time for the 75th anniversary of the Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP). To do this, he elected, as one of his Club projects, the construction of a Peace Plaza at the site of the new hotel in downtown Thomasville. This project is dedicated to remediating the lack of understanding of GRSP and its history of promoting peace through understanding throughout the world.

With the cooperation of hotel ownership and consent of GRSP Foundation Trustees representing Districts 6900, 6910, and 6920, it was agreed the GRSP Peace Plaza could be built. The Plaza includes: a roadside marker with the GRSP story on one side and history of Mr. Will Watt, GRSP founder, on the opposite side; an inground Peace Plaza seal; and the Will Watt Fountain.

The Thomasville Rotary Club is project coordinator. Project cost is $100,000. Funding comes from members and friends of Rotary Districts 6900, 6910, and 6920; and GRSP alumni. All funds will be raised by May 31, 2021. As of 4/8/2021, $74,200 has been paid/pledged.

The story of GRSP and the generosity of Districts 6900, 6910, 6920 whose members have promoted world peace by funding international scholarships for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities, will be shared with thousands of people expected to pass through the GRSP Generations of Generosity Peace Plaza yearly.