RUMFORD – Local Rotarians honored several people Monday afternoon for helping to make the community better through their many hours of volunteer work.

The special ceremony was held under a 65-year-old red maple planted in 1939 on the traffic rotary by Paul Harris, one of the founders of Rotary International. The international organization is celebrating its centenary this year while the local group will celebrate its 80th birthday next year.

Vito and Jeanne Gaccetta, longtime owners of a shoe store on Congress Street who retired several years ago, were honored as the Rotary’s Volunteers of the Year.

“There are many quiet people in the community who give of themselves, and most of the time we don’t hear about it,” said Joe Sirois as he made the presentation to the Gaccettas. “They are very active in the community.”

That Gaccettas have given many hours to the Oxford County Association for Retarded Citizens as officers of that organization’s board or through volunteering. Vito regularly takes people to medical appointments, helps people bring in their wood, and while still running the shoe store would often go to the local nursing home to fit residents for shoes. Both have volunteered many hours at the Sons of Italy and with Santa’s Helpers.

Also cited was Scott Ramsey, a credit union consultant, for heading a polio-eradication program. He was named Rotarian of the Year for 2002-03.

Eddie Paterson, an insurance and financial representative, was honored as Rotarian of the Year for 2003-04 for his work organizing the Rotary/River Valley Chamber of Commerce golf tournament and for organizing an annual basketball tournament.

The club also donated $1,000 to the food pantry housed at the Mexico Congregational Church.