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Members of the Southern Frederick Rotary Club are looking forward to helping their community in new ways.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, club president Chad Tyler, a local real estate developer, said he was thankful that the club — which formed in July — had already grown from six founding members to the more than 40 active members.

Club members hope to double the membership by next year, but Tyler said he is pleased with how quickly the group has established itself as a service organization.

"I'm most thankful that all of our club members have stepped up individually to get involved in the community and really support the Rotary mission," he said.

Both Tyler and member John Lynn Shanton were former Rotarians, and they were interested in filling the niche of a Rotary Club in southern Frederick County.

The club has taken up the cause of aiding in children's educations in southern Frederick, as well as aiding youth athletic organizations such at the Southern Frederick County Youth Athletic Facilities Foundation in their effort to build new playing fields.

Club members were also offered by Centerville Elementary School Principal Steve Raff the chance to tutor children as a community service.

"That's what we do," said Shanton, who said he was thankful for the opportunities to help out in the community.

He said the Rotary Club also has been helping children at the Maryland Sheriff's Youth Ranch, a 24-hour foster care center near Urbana, with their homework, and plans to hold a Christmas party there. The club has also offered to conduct mock job interviews for students at Urbana High School.

The club meets at 7:30 a.m. each Thursday at the Turning Point Real Estate office, 8923 Fingerboard Road, Urbana.

Dave Sowers, owner of the Children's Center for Discovery in Monrovia and Waldorf, is one of the charter members of the club. Sowers said he had been a member of a Rotary Club in Waldorf, but found that the Southern Frederick Rotary Club was a more "together" group.

He said he was thankful for being able to work with business owners who are more committed to community service.

"[Club members] have a good perspective on helping," Sowers said.

E-mail Christian Brown at chbrown@gazette.net.