The Rotary Club of Springfield marked its 102nd Anniversary by presenting two Paul Harris Fellowship Awards and giving away $6,000 in grants to deserving Springfield charitable organizations. The Club is proud to announce its 102nd Paul Harris Fellow Awards, which were awarded to Peter Lappin and Jack Toner. 

 

Club President Laurie Rosner, Chair of the Undergraduate Business Programs at Bay Path University says "we want to show our commitment to the Springfield community and what Rotary is doing locally that evening.  We are dedicated to service above self.  We are happy to host a fun community celebration for individuals and organizations who are making a positive difference!”

Peter Lappin, former Director of the Western Massachusetts Office of Economic Development, governor’s council and 101^st Airborne Army, is being awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award. Springfield Rotarian Jack Toner is being recognized for his support of the Rotary Foundation and his service to the Rotary Club of Springfield as past president.

 

Lappin followed his career in public service with a life of remarkable volunteerism and the generous sharing of his time and talent.  Rotarian Paul Lambert, vice president of enshrinement services & community engagement at the Naismith memorial basketball hall of fame says, “Lappin has been on the basketball hall of fame/Springfield rotary club’s annual holiday showcase/service above self luncheon committee since day 1.  The list of peter’s volunteer activities on his resume simply don’t tell the proper story for the thousands of hours of volunteer work he does throughout the city.  He’s everywhere and tries to help everyone who needs help.  Peter is an extremely generous and kind man.  From his church to the spirit of Springfield to all veteran’s events, peter is everywhere.”    Mayor Domenic J. Sarno states, “congrats to Peter Lappin on this very worthy and well deserved award. He’s a statesman, who whether it’s for our veterans, our city and/or a community event, is there ‘at a drop of a hat’ to volunteer and give of his time – ‘no matter what time it is!’ He truly epitomizes the rotary mission of ‘service above self’.”

 

Jack Toner is being recognized for his support of the rotary foundation and his service to the rotary club of Springfield as past president.  Jack has been there for each Rotarian whether it is to be a pallbearer, visit a sick member in the hospital, give a call to show he cares, or offer guidance.  Jack is an inspiration and a man who loves his family and his community.  He lives the, “service above self” motto each day.

 

The Springfield Rescue Mission, Stone Soul, Inc., New England Public Radio, The Gray House, Inc., The Springfield Museums and Dakin Humane Society are the 2017 community grants recipients. Each recipient received a $1,000 grant to be used as follows:  

 

The Springfield Rescue Mission will use the grant for their Operation SONshine Summer Program which will increase the number of meals served to mothers and children using their mobile food service.

 

Stone Soul, Inc. is helping to fight disease through “Community Health and Nutrition Breakfast” sessions. Sessions about Healthy/Nutritional eating are held every month for a year in the Mason Square area.

 

New England Public Radio’s, Media Lab Program provides free after school training and mentorship. A program, which focuses on youth and career preparedness.

 

The Gray House, Inc. grant will help provide kitchen appliances for their Kids' Club. An after school program for low-income youth who are provided a nutritious, sit down dinner each day.

 

Springfield Museums wants to take a "SMART" Approach to Education Outreach. They will be purchasing a smart board to enhance and support educational programming and connect with other museums and to assist with training.

 

Dakin Humane Society will host a FREE Community Vaccine Clinic in the Mason Public Library in Springfield. The $1,000 grant will underwrite the vaccinations and preventative treatment fees for over 150 dogs.

Money raised in our fiscal year by our members through their giving and our “service above self” events like the luncheon in concert with the basketball hall of fame has underwritten all these grants and awards. 

Special thanks to Brennan Collins and Ed Sunter who chaired the Paul Harris and Community Grant Celebration.  They had the assistance of fellow club members Alicia Garcia, Sue Lavoie, Lamont Clemons, Jack Toner, Dene Kimball and Jim Russell for always being there to offer his advice.  A special note of thanks to Rotarian Mike Tarby of Pip Printing who donated the printing of the program and graphic artisan Mary.

 

Club President Laurie Rosner wrapped up by sharing, …”the goals we accomplished together…we met our new membership goal, we exceeded our rotary foundation goal, our service fund expanded to provide $6,000 this evening as compared to $4,000 last year, we provided outreach to area schools for career advice, continued to donated our time to several service projects like Friends Of The Homeless, Shriners Hospitals For Children, Willie Ross School For The Deaf, Rotaract Project, Cambodia Water Filter Project to name a few and even established an international water grant, where we aspire to raise over $30,000 with surrounding clubs!   This was not done alone!”  The current Club Board of Directors were recognized and honored along with thanking all for their time, talent and financial support.  Also, the incoming 2017/2018 Board was recognized. 

More details along with Club boards are in the program booklet Paul Harris 2017.

 

 President Elect 2017-2018, Lamont Clemons was truly honored to be able to follow in the amazing footsteps of the many Past    Presidents that came before him. He wanted to recognize the truly exceptional service that has been provided to our club by current President Laurie Rosner. 

Special Thanks to our Past President Jack Toner for his guidance and leadership as well. Congratulations to all of the Grant Awardees, we look forward to seeing you continue your work in the Community! Service Above Self is Rotary's Legacy and together we will continue to add to the rotary club of Springfield's Legacy by being a gift to our community and world. 

 

Rotary International theme for this year is "Making a Difference". We will continue to focus on eradicating Polio, Serving the Homeless, clean drinking water and WASH initiatives, growing membership and fellowship, service above self Luncheon, recognizing others through Paul Harris Awards, service grants for local Springfield Charities and mentoring school Children. 

Thank you to everyone for your service and honoring us with your presence at the Paul Harris Award Event! 

We are looking forward to an Exceptional and Productive Year! 

In the photo attached, Bob is holding a picture of John’s son, John, now a 2Lt., USMC after graduating from the Academy a few years ago. John told a very heart warming story about how his family was homeless when his son wanted to join the academy. Bob helped both him and is family in numerous ways throughout the years and Rotarian John holds Bob in the highest regard

Committee NEEDS HELP

The Special Events Committee needs your help!  We are looking for committee members to help with our 2018 Springfield Sidewalk Chalk event in the following areas: Sponsorships, Venue, Marketing & Social Media, Supplies, Food & Beverage and much more! The goal is to host our event next Spring!  Anyone who is interested in participating in this exciting event, please contact Gillian Palmer at gpalmer@thebige.com or at 413-205-5019.