The Rotary Club of the Bridgewaters will celebrate neighbors in our communities who have contributed as volunteers to help others in the towns of Bridgewater, East Bridgewater and West Bridgewater. The Citizen of the Year Celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 PM at the Sachem Rock Community Center in East Bridgewater. Tickets are $ 20 and can be purchased at the door. We hope that you will be able to attend our celebration that recognizes these wonderful volunteers who make our communities a better place to live and work.
The awardees for 2024 are:
For the town of Bridgewater, the Rotary named Pat Neary. Pat is best known for protecting the environment, health and well-being of the town. As an environmental warrior she has gathered relevant and accurate information to identify key issues, always with her passion and persistence in educating the community. Pat understands that simply knowing and talking about an issue is not enough. One must also meet with leaders, inform the public, and change laws and procedures to reach sustainable goals. Through careful research, Pat identified plastic waste as a major cause of environmental pollution and degradation in Bridgewater. She carried out an effective educational program and successful campaign focused on eliminating single use plastic bags.
For the town of East Bridgewater, the Rotary named Dale Julius. Dale is an outstanding citizen with enormous local pride and has made many contributions through his volunteer work. Besides his chair of the Historical Commission, President of the Kiwanis Club and head of the East Bridgewater Civil War Round Table, Dale was instrumental in his role as co-chair of the highly successful Bicentennial Celebration in town. Along with co-chair Dave Sheedy, a past recipient of the Citizen of the Year, Dale and other residents worked tirelessly to create a yearlong celebration. Partnering with businesses, organizations, and fellow citizens, Dale was instrumental in developing a memorable town anniversary.
For the town of West Bridgewater, the Rotary named Jenny Williams. Jenny has contributed her time and volunteer efforts in a number of areas. She has co-chaired the Board of Deacons for the First Church and is the Collector for the Church. Jenny is the Treasurer of the West Bridgewater Public Library, which flowed from her love of books. She has been an active participant in the West Bridgewater River Walk helping to raise funds from local businesses and serving food to townspeople at the event. Jenny is also a member of the Just Older Youth (J.O.Y.) as a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program delivering meals to local residents.