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Two members received high honors for their work to further Rotary’s efforts to help the local and international communities at a recent Chestnut Hill Rotary meeting
Immediate Past President of Chestnut Hill Rotary, Ellen Williams, received an award honoring her leadership and dedication of the success of the Rotary Club of Chestnut Hill in 2023-24.
“I am so honored to have served as president of the Chestnut Hill Rotary Club in 2023-2024,” said Ellen Williams. “We had an incredible year – welcoming many new members to the club and raising more funds than ever before – all of which will be invested in local, regional and international causes.”
Among her many accomplishments under her leadership, was a focus on the club’s fundraising efforts, which topped $30,000, the highest amount in recent years. Club President Jay Pennie presented a certificate and stated that the club will make a $500 donation to the charity of her choice. “It has been a privilege to work with people deeply committed to the mission of Rotary – Service Above Self,” said Williams.
Long-time member, David Gary Smith received a Paul Harris Fellow +1 award. Paul Harris is Rotary's recognition for individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation. The recognition is named after Paul Harris who founded Rotary more than 100 years ago.
Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.
Many other notable figures have been named Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, Pearl Bailey, Mother Theresa, and polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk.
Since the Foundation began more than 100 years ago, the organization has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects locally and around the world.
Donors can make a gift to The Rotary Foundation HERE.
