Northumberland Today Nov 10, 2015

The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

 

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to much more than US $1 billion. It has one of the largest and most prestigious international fellowship programs in the world.

In 1929, the Foundation made its first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into Easter Seals.

 

When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was created to build the Foundation.

The Paul Harris Fellow is an award for those who have given $ US1000 dollars possibly over several years to the Rotary Foundation or by a sponsor that has given the money on behalf of the recipient named for extraordinary services rendered. It is one of the most prestigious awards in Rotary and thus named after the founder of Rotary, Paul Harris.

 

Last Saturday night in conjunction with Rotary Club of Port Hope we at Northumberland Sunrise held our annual Foundation Dinner.  This is an evening when we award Paul Harris Fellows to community members that have lived up to the Rotary motto of “Service above self” as well as to our fellow Rotarians alike.

Our guest speaker was Jonathan Porter who has recently completed his Masters of Law degree at the University of Essex in International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law as a Rotary Global Grant Scholar. His studies focused on the protection of refugees and displaced persons in armed conflict and human rights of detained persons. A very articulate and learned man!

 

This year Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise presented the following Paul Harris Fellows; Sian Pritchart of Landscape Ontario for her dedication, countless hours and her professionalism surrounding the NHH Garden project our club undertook this past spring and summer. Again many thanks Sian!

Doug and Joan McCann for their work with The Salvation Army in Cobourg and surrounding areas. This couple have devoted countless hours managing The Health Bank and The Jump Start programs to name but, only a smidgen of all they do for their communities.

Blake Holton for his never ending dedication to providing Family Crisis Centre in Apex, Nunavut with much needed clothes and supplies. Blake is instrumental in the ongoing success of the Band Shell series in Port Hope again just to name a small amount of all that Blake does for his community.

And so another successful Foundation Dinner has come to its completion and we Northumberland Sunriser’s will once again start to watch our friends, acquaintances and family for perhaps the next Paul Harris Fellow candidates! 

 

Rotary Club of Northumberland Sunrise meets every Wednesday morning for breakfast at 7:00 AM at Ashbrook Golf Club. 7215 Dale Road, Port Hope. Guests and visiting Rotarians are always welcome. Please come a little early for coffee and fellowship. Our meetings include a full breakfast, a short business meeting and a guest speaker. Meetings usually adjourn by 8:00 AM. Please come and join us for Rotary fellowship.