Rotary Presents Community Service Awards, Holds Casino Night Fundraiser

WORCESTER, MA— The Rotary Club of Worcester recently announced the recipients of the Club’s 2017 “Service Above Self” community service awards, and plans for a casino night fundraiser at which the awards will be presented.

According to the announcement, the awards recognize outstanding individuals in our community who have made a difference through volunteerism and professional services. This year’s recipients are;George Bernardin (posthumously), an active member of the Rotary Club of Worcester.

"Bernardin was a lawyer by profession but he gave countless hours of his time and expertise to a wide variety of organizations including, but not limited to, the Worcester Art Museum, YOU, Inc., Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Town Planning Board of West Boylston, Preservation Worcester to name a few."

Molly McCullough, who besides being a member of the Worcester School Committee, gives her time to a variety of organizations including the Worcester Library Board Foundation, Worcester Educational Development Foundation, the AVID Initiative, Worcester Hibernian Cultural Foundation, UMASS Amherst Alumni Board of Directors and the Plant the Seed organization, is also receiving an award.

Also receiving a community service award is Meredith Walsh, who is the founder and executive director of the Worcester Refugee Assistance Project, which assists the large number of Burmese immigrants who have settled in Worcester.

"She leads a large group of volunteers who provide services such as ESL classes, youth support, family mentorship, economic sustainability, citizen classes and community building to this vulnerable population. Meredith is also a nurse practitioner at the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center," said the announcement.

Forest Grove Field Hockey Group, founded by 3 women who started the organization so that middle school girls could participate in an organized field hockey team, is also a recipient. Thirty-three girls were able to participate thanks to these women who raised money, secured insurance, acquired uniforms, organized a home and away playing schedule, coordinated transportation, secured referees and developed a practice schedule.

The awards will be given out at the Club’s 4th annual fund raising “Celebrate Community” event to be held on Saturday, May 6, at 5:30 p.m. the Tatnuck Country Club.The event will feature a Casino night, silent auction, and dancing.

Find out more here.