Awards Day was the focus of Hickory Rotary Club’s June 21st meeting. Several local non-profits were recipients of checks from Club President, Rich Brown:
- Hickory YMCA – $1,000 for child care financial assistance.
- Catawba Science Center – $1,000 for Free Friday program that allows free admission to the Science Center.
- Hickory Community Theater – $1,000 for Rug-Bug Theater program at HCT.
- Family Care Center – $1,000 for tutoring program for school age children that are homeless.
These checks are in addition to checks distributed throughout the club’s July 2011- June 2012 year. Checks previously distributed include:
- SAS (Service Above Self) Scholarships – $10,000
- Teacher of the Year Awards – $5,300
- Students of the Month – $2,400
- International Wheel Chair Foundation – $3000
- Boy Scout Cabin Restoration – $2000 ($1,000 was matching grant)
- RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) – $850
- Books for South Africa (Ambassadorial Scholar Project) – $1,000
- Arts Council – Paul White Student’s Art Exhibit – $1,000
- Hickory High School (Interact Counselor’s Stipend) -$1,000
- Rotary Polio Program at Carmike Theaters – $500
These distributions were made possible by the club’s successful fundraising activities, highlighted in March by the annual Rotarian Idol fundraiser for local educational initiatives.
Rich Brown also honored several members whose service merited special recognition.
Ed Nesbitt received the club’s first Rising Star award as a new member whose immediate efforts on the club’s behalf contributed significantly to the club’s success this year.
Steve Mull received the Heart of Rotary award for his many years of dedicated service to the club, community and his leadership promoting program advertising sales for Rotarian Idol.
Rose Mary Cheek was recognized as Rotarian of the Year for the professional touch her outstanding photography lends to club projects, Rotarian Idol and club media presentations.
Also recognized was outgoing Treasurer, Rusty Isenhour, for his three years of dedicated service in the Treasurer’s role.
Rich Brown recognized 35 members with perfect attendance:
John Bates, Michael Blackburn, Jan Bohmuller, Rich Brown, Bruce Bumbarger, Stan Bumgarner, Bill Dodd, Dean Doucette, Dan Duke, Cuyler Dunbar, Addison Fox, Kimberly George, Cliff Goddard, Thomas Griffis, Rusty Isenhour, Dan Kirby, Lynn Loehr, Linda Lutz, David Moore, Steve Mull, Ed Nesbitt, Jill Patton, Bill Pekman, Clarence Pugh, John Rambo, Doug Rongo, Mark Seaman, Susan Smith, Charles Snipes, Steve Snyder, Mary Texer, Suzanne Trollan, Robert Welch, Anne Williams and Sarah Willis.
Also during the year, the club recognized five new Paul Harris Fellows:
- Caroline Brown Bumbarger – Recognized by Rotarian Bruce Bumbarger
- Sandra F. Fotheringham – Rotarian
- Debbie Major – Recognized by Rotarian Rusty Isenhour
- Michael F. Stumpff – Rotarian
- Suzanne R. Trollan – Rotarian
Donors of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, Polio-Plus, or an approved Foundation grant, or people who have that amount contributed in their name, can be recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. Read the Paul Harris Society brochure. It provides more information about this special program, including its history and guidelines. Learn more about donor recognition totals for this and other recognition programs.
