The Catskill Chronicle

Pictured from left to right: Paul Harris Fellow recipients Jack Strassman, Jack Etter, President Dave Thomson, Harris recipient Karen VanCraenenbroeck, District 7210 ADG Barry Foster, and Harris recipient Russ Bogie. – Provided photo

LIBERTY, NY (February 6, 2011) – The Liberty Rotary Club presented four of its most active and involved members with the honor of becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. The presentation took place at the club’s recent weekly meeting at Charlie’s Restaurant (Former Cobbler’s) on Main Street in Liberty. The recipients of this prestigious award were Russ Bogie, Jack Etter, Karen VanCraenenbroeck, and Jack Strassman who have demonstrated Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” for many years through serving as club officers, chairing rotary projects and participating in rotary activities. Etter, VanCraenenbroeck and Strassman are past presidents and Bogie has been treasurer of the local club for many years.

According to Gary Siegel, Liberty Rotary Vice President, a Paul Harris Fellow is awarded to those Rotarian who have donations totaling $1000 contributed in their name to the Rotary Foundation. The Paul Harris Society is named after Paul P. Harris, founder of Rotary international. His intention was to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. Today, Paul Harris Society contributions to The Rotary Foundation support a wide range of humanitarian grants and educational programs that enable Rotarians to bring hope and promote international understanding throughout the world.

Each of the new Paul Harris Fellows were presented with a commemorative certificate and pin by Rotary District 7210 Assistant District Governor Barry Foster. “We are so proud to have four new Paul Harris Fellows in our district. It is a tribute to the work of these individuals and the members of the Liberty Rotary Club who make a difference in our community, district and internationally through the volunteer work that we do,” says ADG Foster.

Most recently the Liberty Rotary Club has donated to Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, Boys and Girls Club of Sullivan County, Liberty AYSO and this past weekend they collected and delivered five shopping carts full of food to the local food pantry. Currently the club is conducting a raffle to benefit the Liberty Interfaith Food Pantry as well as other community organizations and rotary projects. In addition the club will be participating in the WSUL/WVOS heartathon on February 26^th and will be selling roses in the spring to raise money for scholarships which are awarded annually. For more information about membership and activities of the Liberty Rotary Club, call 292-5100.

Captions for photos – Left to Right: Liberty Rotary President Dave Thomson (left) and Rotary District 7210 Assistant District Governor Barry Foster (right) present Liberty Rotary Past President Jack Etter (center) with his Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Liberty Rotary President Dave Thomson (left) and Rotary District 7210 Assistant District Governor Barry Foster (right) present Liberty Rotary Past President and Liberty High School Principal Jack Strassman (center) with his Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Liberty Rotary President Dave Thomson (left) and Rotary District 7210 Assistant District Governor Barry Foster (right) present Liberty Rotary Past President Karen VanCraenenbroeck (center) with her Paul Harris Fellow Award.

Liberty Rotary President Dave Thomson (left) and Rotary District 7210 Assistant District Governor Barry Foster (right) present Liberty Rotary Treasurer Russ Bogie (center) with his Paul Harris Fellow Award.