RUMFORD — The River Valley Rotary Club held its annual Christmas party Tuesday night and raised $728 for GRAMPS food pantry.
The local club, which started in 1925, matched $364 of donations made by its members this year for the food pantry which serves the River Valley area.
Also during the party two awards, Rotarian of the Year and Citizen of the Year, were presented.
The awards had been reinstated into the club after not being given out for the past 10 years.
Member Jerry Cohen said the awards were a good tradition that deserved to be reinstated.
Rotarian of the Year went to Greg Trundy of Bryant Pond, a 23-year member of the club and a past president.
Current President Rich Allen presented the awards and said Trundy had worked on almost every project the club has been involved with.
“Greg has been in charge of our lobster lunches since its inception and has helped organize and lead the club’s most consistent fundraiser year in and year out,” he said.
Citizen of the Year, which is a recognition of community involvement, was awarded to Richard “Dick” Lovejoy of Rumford.
Lovejoy is president of the River Valley Technology Center and is vice president of the River Valley Growth Council.
Allen said Lovejoy also volunteers countless hours for Black Mountain of Maine and participates in a reading program at area schools.
An anonymous donor also awarded the two members the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award.
The award was started after the founder of the Rotary Club, Paul Harris, passed away in 1957. The award is generally given to members who donate $2,000 to the club to help in its worldwide charity efforts.
The donor gave three of his own Paul Harris Fellow award pins to be given to Lovejoy, Trundy and Allen. In conjunction with the award, a $1,000 donation was made in each of the three members’ names.
Tom Placey presented the award to Allen, saying he had taken the club and turned it upside down.
“He has really taken a stagnant club and made it vibrant again,” Placey said. “He is well worth 10 Paul Harris Fellow awards.”
Allen has been a Rotary member since 1991 and currently serves as the president. He is president of the River Valley Growth Council, treasurer for the River Valley Technology Center and a board member for the Hope Association.
Fighting back tears, Allen accepted the surprise award, saying he was honored.
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- Tom Placey, left, presented Paul Harris Fellow awards to three River Valley Rotary Club members on Tuesday night. Greg Trundy, center, a 23-year member of the Rotary Club, was presented with the award along with Rotarian of the Year. Rich Allen, right, current president, was also presented with a surprise Paul Harris Fellow award. Richard Lovejoy, not pictured, was also presented with an award and a $1,000 donation was given to the club in honor of the three recipients.
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