At the Rotary District 6650 Annual Conference, held at the Metroplex in Liberty, the Rotary Club of Austintown was honored among 48 clubs in Northeast Ohio with the Roland Luhman Community Service Award.
The award was given based upon the Wickliffe Flood Project during July and August of 2006, where Rotarians and their friends volunteered countless days to remove and replace damaged drywall, paint, clean, and replace damaged carpet and even furniture. Nine families were helped in the Wickliffe area of Austintown, with assistance from area businesses and the Associated School Employees Credit Union.
Accepting the award on behalf of the club was President Gary Reel, whose term started July 1, 2006, just in time for the first work day on July 9. He told conference attendees about the need for Rotary to "Lead The Way", following the 2006-7 motto of Rotary International. " We didn't have time to make great plans or get bids, it just had to be done quickly since many homes were developing mold and smells. So many people were helpful once they someone doing something to get it started", said Gary. "Many of those in need were elderly or handicapped, and didn't have a big source of help for labor or money".
Rotary is an international organization found in more countries than the United Nations, with a membership of 1.2 million worldwide. While international projects like elimination of polio and fighting hunger and illiteracy are stressed, local assistance is also a focus of the clubs.
One Austintown member said, "This is what Rotary is all about" as he emerged covered with plaster dust from one of the homes. Though he is an accountant by day, he was glad to help where he could to help others.
Shown in picture: Rotary President Gary Reel with Roland Luhman Award.
The award was given based upon the Wickliffe Flood Project during July and August of 2006, where Rotarians and their friends volunteered countless days to remove and replace damaged drywall, paint, clean, and replace damaged carpet and even furniture. Nine families were helped in the Wickliffe area of Austintown, with assistance from area businesses and the Associated School Employees Credit Union.
Accepting the award on behalf of the club was President Gary Reel, whose term started July 1, 2006, just in time for the first work day on July 9. He told conference attendees about the need for Rotary to "Lead The Way", following the 2006-7 motto of Rotary International. " We didn't have time to make great plans or get bids, it just had to be done quickly since many homes were developing mold and smells. So many people were helpful once they someone doing something to get it started", said Gary. "Many of those in need were elderly or handicapped, and didn't have a big source of help for labor or money".
Rotary is an international organization found in more countries than the United Nations, with a membership of 1.2 million worldwide. While international projects like elimination of polio and fighting hunger and illiteracy are stressed, local assistance is also a focus of the clubs.
One Austintown member said, "This is what Rotary is all about" as he emerged covered with plaster dust from one of the homes. Though he is an accountant by day, he was glad to help where he could to help others.
Shown in picture: Rotary President Gary Reel with Roland Luhman Award.