13 receive Rotary’s highest honour for ‘Service Above Self’

Rotarians Paul Harris committee members (back, from left) Irene Harris, Bob Bird, David Burn, Brenda Hellyer and Don Chambers (back, second from right) presented Paul Harris Awards to Hank Busscher, on behalf of son Adam; Larry Spence, Ralph Hall, and (front row) Brenda McKneson, Anne and Husain Banani, Dr. Kuldeep Sandhu, Gillian Leek, Ellen Snider, Fran Donaldson and Adam Bramburger.

Picton Rotarians bestowed 13 of the club’s highest honour – Paul Harris Fellowships – to Rotarians and community professionals in recognition of outstanding contributions that exemplify the service club’s motto – ‘Service Above Self’.

Members met at the Waring House Monday to make the presentations, named in honour of Rotary International’s founder.

“Each time we honour one of our members, or a community member with a Paul Harris Fellow for ‘Service Above Self’ we know know that we move closer to a world of peace and goodwill,” said Brenda Hillier, Picton Rotary President. “Work in our own communities and our own projects is a commitment for a better life for people in our own County and people across the world. Truly selfless acts that people do in making the world a better place for everyone.”

Anne and Husain Banani, and Brenda MacKneson and John Lawes were honoured for allowing the club to use their properties for the annual waterfall tours that raise funds for clean water projects around the world.

Hank Busscher was pleased to receive the award for his son Adam, out of town on Home Hardware business. The club thanked Adam, and the whole Busscher family for continued dedication to the community, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, and Rotary fundraising projects.

Adam Bramburger was honoured for his compassion, dedication and commitment to the County as editor of the Picton Gazette and as manager of the OHA Napanee Raiders hockey team. He was wished well in his new position as constituency assistant with MPP Todd Smith.

Fran Donaldson was honoured for dedication to Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, its Foundation and Auxiliary as well as the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario.

Ralph Hall was noted for his many contributions on community boards, including the Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors, VON Foundation board, Probus Quinte and County and as a past municipal councillor.

Gillian Leek’s award spoke to her dedication to Rotary projects at home and abroad, and active participation in hosting the club’s youth exchange students.

Beyond his free dental clinics and support of the Rotary’s annual golf tournament, Dr. Kuldeep Sandhu was also honored for taking his staff to India to perform pro-bono work.

Ellen Snider was honoured for her work as a volunteer with the thrift shop and raising money for seniors services and her time and organizational skills with Rotary Fundraisers.

A Paul Harris Fellow was presented to Larry Spencer for his leadership in the creation on the Baxter Arts Centre and programming.

Jamie Yeo, manager of the Picton Sobeys, was honoured for supporting the Rotary Golf Club event, cash calendar sales and continued support of several community organizations doing fundraisers.

The Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Gord Leverton with Marion Hughes

Gord Leverton with Don Wakefield

Following the presentations, District 7070 assistant governor Gord Leverton presented two Paul Harris Society awards to Marion Hughes and Don Wakefield.

“In addition to Paul Harris Fellows, these two have gone a step above – contributing as excellent members to Rotary and the community and have made a personal commitment to support the foundation in a monetary way, said Leverton.

Society members are Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who elect to contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants.

Since is first donation of $26.50 in 1917, the Rotary Foundation has invested $3.95 billion in programs, projects and scholarships in Canada, and around the world.

In the County, Rotary has raised more than a million dollars for County groups including Hospice, the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, Air Cadets, Reaching for Rainbows, youth projects and scholarships.