Milford Rotary Recognizes Paul Harris Fellows

The Milford Rotary Club recently held its annual Rotary International Foundation Luncheon and recognized six new Paul Harris Fellows including the Honorable Judge Francis J. Larkin of Hopedale. Larkin was presented an Honorary Paul Harris Award for his many years of distinguished “Service Above Self” to the community, commonwealth, and nation.  Rotarian/Club Foundation Chairman Thomas Sawyer presented the award.

 

Valentine Callahan, District Governor for Rotary District 7910 presented a Paul Harris Award to Club President Dennis LaPlante in recognition of his support of the Foundation. In turn, President LaPlante presented a Paul Harris Award to his wife Heather.   

 

Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow John Peters III surprised his dad with an honorary Paul Harris Award in recognition of his contributions to the community, care for the elderly and his role model as a parent.

 

Chairman Sawyer and his wife Kathleen also announced that the family had planned to present honorary Paul Harris Awards to their oldest son, Thomas Sawyer Jr, and their youngest son, Todd Sawyer. However, the young men were unable to attend due to inclement weather. The couple’s other son, Tim, received his honorary Paul Harris Award in 2005. Chairman Sawyer’s wife received her Paul Harris Award in 2007.  The Sawyers are the second Club family in which all members have received PH Awards. Rotarian Michael Peterson’s family attained that status in December 2011.

 

 

The event was photograph by Rachel DeWolfe and Andrea Matellian, juniors studying photography as part of the Design And Visual Communications Multimedia Communications Class at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School, instructed by Adele Ellis. Class advisor Jim Millette accompanied them.

 

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.

 

Worldwide, more than one million individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows – people who have given $1,000 to the Foundation or have had that amount contributed in their names.

 

Photo Caption. Milford Rotary Awards Six PH Fellowships at December luncheon.

Front Row: John Peters Sr., Honorable Judge Francis J. Larkin, and Heather LaPlante. Back row: Roy Balfour, Foundation Chairman District  7910; Thomas Sawyer Sr, Foundation Chair Milford Rotary Club; Val Callahan, District Governor; Satya Mitra, District Assistant Governor and Dennis LaPlante. Also receiving awards but not present; Thomas Sawyer Jr. and Todd Sawyer. Milford Rotary Club members have donated over $105,000 to the Foundation since the Club was founded in 1937. (Photo credit: Rachel DeWolfe-BVT)