RCNS Celebrates Foundation Month with Foundation Gala!
“The Bahamas would be a far poorer place were it not for the unselfish and dedicated efforts of such organizations as the Rotary Foundation.” This according to Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes as he delivered his response on behalf of the Honorees at the Rotary Foundation Gala at Government House on November 8th, 2012.
“The Bahamas would be a far poorer place were it not for the unselfish and dedicated efforts of such organizations as the Rotary Foundation.” This according to Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes as he delivered his response on behalf of the Honorees at the Rotary Foundation Gala at Government House on November 8th, 2012.
The event, which was held in recognition of the visit of District Governor Vance Lewis and hosted by the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise, afforded Rotarians an opportunity to bring more awareness to the work of the Foundation while honoring those persons who have made significant contributions in the community.
“The observance and celebration of November as Foundation month is a very significant time for Rotarians and during this time we are encouraged to pause and reflect on the work that the Foundation has done and continue to do in our communities and around the world. Evidence of this can easily be seen in the work that the Foundation has done to eradicate polio, in the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts, in the Bahamas Bloodmobile project and most recently in the establishment of an Autism Classroom at the Willard Patton Preschool, which is the first of its kind in the Caribbean” said Mario Smith, President of the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise as he welcomed Rotarians and guests to the event.
In his address to the audience Rotary Foundation Chair and Assistant District Governor Lindsey Cancino stated that Rotarians have donated in excess of $1 billion to the Polio Eradication effort and in excess of 2 billion children have been immunized because of the Global Polio eradication Initiative. “Such strong support, along with the involvement of Rotarians worldwide ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation; as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace” he added.
Receiving special recognition and the prestigious Sir Durward Knowles Humanitarian Award was His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The presentation of the award was even more special because it was delivered by 95 year old Sir Durward himself who was on hand to present the award and acknowledged that there was no one more deserving of the award than Sir Arthur.
Past Assistant District Governor Felix Stubbs added, “The event was timely and the persons receiving recognition were most deserving as they are community minded individuals who demonstrate “Service Above Self”. The members of the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise and particularly the President should be extremely proud of such an occasion.”
In his address, Sir Arthur said, “We often take for granted so many of the advantages we enjoy. So many of the benefits we receive from seen and unseen hands; so many of the blessings provided to the unselfish giving of time, talent and treasure by others. It is well to pause from time to time and consider what life would be like without those blessings. And so it is with great pleasure on behalf of the government and the people of the Bahamas that I salute and thank Rotary International for its tireless efforts to make this archipelago to make this Bahamas this world a better place.”
Other notable honorees included Mrs. Marion Bethel who was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club of Nassau Sunrise for her work in documenting and highlighting the Women’s Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas.