RUMFORD — The River Valley Rotary Club held its Annual Dinner on June 24, and recognized Rotarian Bill Gates , who died earlier this year.
Gates was recognized for his service above self. His wife, Sharon, and son Tyler, were in attendance at the meeting. Gates was remembered as a quiet inspiration to all who knew him.
The club also agreed to share this year’s presidency among four former presidents. They are Rich Allen (July-September), Greg Trundy (October-December), Dave Duguay (January-March) and Jerald Cohen (April-June).
Charlie LeDuc received Paul Harris Regognition at the annual dinner, and at the July 8 meeting three more Rotarians received Paul Harris Recognition — Ed Paterson, Rich Allen and Roger Whitehouse. It was Whitehouse’s fourth recognition.
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. 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.
The club, which has about 30 members, last year held fundraisers and membership drives that raised money for a variety of local programs and scholarships, including LifeFlight, Rumford Hospital, four local libraries, Bridgton Dominican Republic, Oxford County United Way, Rumford Quilters, Hope Associtation Adopt-a-Spot, the Bandstand Project, Chisholm Ski Club Youth Learn to Ski, Maine Adaptive, Western Foothills Kids Association, RVHCC, Rumford Group Home, Community Dental, RVCOC, Black Mountain of Maine, Guatemala Literacy Project, GRAMPAS food pantry, Hope Association Briar Patch, Two local ATV clubs, Mountain Valley Boosters, Four Seasons Guide, Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice and RotoPlast.
PHOTO: Outgoing president Randy Therrien, left, with the four presidents of this year’s Mountain Valley Rotary Club, from left, Rich Allen (July-September), Greg Trundy (October-December), Dave Duguay (January-March) and Jerald Cohen (April-June).
