2013 Rotary Service Award is Jack Belletete!
J-R Rotary Club Service Award 2013
Our Club is one of 34,000 around the world with 1.2 million members. While we all have different make-ups and different programs, we all share a common creed: The Rotary motto: Service Above Self.
These three simple words represent the guiding Principal, of our Rotary work in the community and across the world.
For the past 3 years we have honored a member of our community who exemplifies the motto Service Above Self, through their contributions to the betterment of our citizens.
These people give of their resources, their time and talents to projects and programs that make a difference in peoples lives here and in other communities. And they give selflessly, no fan fare. They see a need; they step in to meet it.
Our service award has been given to John Peard, Bob VanDyke and Susan Leach.
These three have done much to help our towns and our neighbors. And, they still do so, in a very quiet, deliberate manner. They embody Service Above Self We are lucky to have them ( Recognize)
The actual award that we present is called The Paul Harris Award. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary in 1905. Our Club gives $1000.00 to Rotary International Foundation in the name of the recipient. This money is used for the many RI worldwide programs such as Polio Eradication and Clean Water. It is a 100% contribution to good work for the world.
This year, we are going to recognize another member of our community who exemplifies SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
He has given years of time and talent to various town boards and committees such as The School Board, Planning Board, Economic Development, and Land Use.
He has been instrumental in helping The Park Theatre develop its construction plans and designs and then get them approved by local, state and federal agencies.
He has been an active supporter of the projects of our Club to include Camp Quest, the community ball field and many others.
During the 2008 ice storm he was all over the community helping families fix problems.
Did you know that he is a pilot for Angle Flights, a mid west volunteer org. that flies people who need critical medical transport and have no resources.
He has been to Haiti a number of times to help those impoverished peoples.
Many here work for local projects that know what it is like to ask him for some help. His usual reply is “Sure, let’s make it work”!
And on top of what he does individually, he leads a very generous group of people who together have, over many, many years, made huge contributions to the betterment of our towns.
text by Clay Hollister