Rotary bestows Paul Harris on four recipients
Service above self was honoured during the combined Rotary Club event.
The Northmead Bowling Club was filled from corner to corner on June 8 as Rotarians from the Benoni van Ryn and Boksburg Lake Rotary clubs paid homage to those leading local community outreach projects and being of service to others above themselves.
The event, which saw the prestigious Paul Harris Award being bestowed on four worthy recipients, also paid tribute to the dedicated and passionate members of the Boksburg Lake Club, which officially closes at the end of June.
“An organisation is known by the results it achieves but more importantly it is remembered for the impact it has made on society and the lives it has touched,” said Rotary van Ryn club president George Shoniwa.
“Being a Rotarian means that you apply the organisation’s core values, to every aspect of your life.
“We are here to not only celebrate our clubs but to also honour ordinary members of our community who play an integral role in the betterment of the lives of others.”
Linda Stokes, president of the Boksburg Lake Rotary Club, said her 30-year journey as a Rotarian has brought her great joy.
“Although it is bittersweet that our beloved club will seize to exist, I am grateful to have been involved in a club that was active in contributing and assisting local NPOs in helping the most vulnerable within our community,” she said.
“The Rotary ethos will forever live forward in my mind, heart and soul.”
As the evening’s proceedings continued to highlight the invaluable work done by the award recipients, the symphony of squeaks emitting from the chairs was cause for hysterical laughter adding some light-hearted humour to a weighted event.
Recipients of the Paul Harris Award:
• Clayton Viljoen, COE of Urban Ruinsin Plantation. He has been involved in the project for the past eight years.
The centre offers a safe haven for the community’s most vulnerable. The centre boasts an ECD centre, employment project, and community garden and supplies 400 meals to individuals daily.
• Hester Vosloo of the Lorna Kruger Feeding Scheme, which was founded in 1994 and is actively involved in feeding 100 learners at Laerskool Goudrand, Boksburg North, daily.
Consisting of 20 volunteers, the children receive a well-balanced meal as well as donated clothing.
“For some of these children, this is the only meal they have,” she said.
“Providing such a basic need is an indication of how big the need is in our community.”
• Amanda Coetzee founded Kuselo Care Centre, Boksburg North, after moving to Boksburg in 2017.
The organisation started in the Eastern Cape, where Amanda first lived and provided safe playgrounds for children.
Upon moving to the East Rand, she realised that the need for providing a place of safety far exceeded the needs of a playground and the home which operates as a temporary safe haven from abused, neglected and abandoned children was established.
Kuselo, which means ‘to protect’ in Khoza, currently houses 11 children as young as two months and continuously assists the SAPS with the safe removal of children from abusive and dangerous conditions.
Despite struggling with severe health-related concerns, Amanda says one act of kindness can change the life of a child.
• Lorraine Hartmann of Buyani House, Northmead, forms part of the All Souls Church and actively runs seven outreach projects ranging from soup kitchens, clothing distribution, and food share initiatives as well as providing situational counselling.
The soup kitchen hands out 40 to 50 meals to those in need of nourishment and care.
“For your selfless service to the community and its most vulnerable individuals, you not only exemplify humility and compassion but as award recipients, you possess every characteristic that we as Rotarians hold most dear,” said George.
“We will continue to assist where needed.”
Concluding the programme, George bestowed three honorary memberships to the two organisations’ stalwarts as part of the President’s Award.
Robin Bath joined the van Ryn club in 1991 and held numerous titles and oversaw various portfolios during his membership, spanning more than three decades.
Bath served further served on various district committees.
Linda and Martin Stokes of the Boksburg Lake Club also received the prestigious award.
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