On Monday November 29, for the first time in over two years, the Rotary Club of Fonthill hosted an in-person Paul Harris celebration dinner.  Held at Lookout Point Country Club and attended by nearly 70 Rotarians, friends, family and community members, the event allowed the club to honour and recognize the community service and commitment of a number of individuals.

To begin the evening, the club presented three posthumous awards.  These recognitions went to three local politicians who died while the club was not holding awards dinners.  The late Gary Accursi, Mike Ciolfi and Ron Leavens all contributed greatly to the Town of Pelham through their political careers but also through their lifelong commitment to volunteering, coaching and supporting community events and activities.  In heartfelt tributes, each was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow and had family, friends and former colleagues present to express their gratitude and appreciation.  Gary’s wife Mall and son Michael, Mike’s wife Michelle and Ron’s wife Karen accepted these awards.

The Rotary Club then presented community Paul Harris Fellows to Fred Arbour, Vilma Moretti, and David Weeks.  Fred is well known in Pelham from his work at Klager’s meatshop but also as a Lion.  Having recently served as the Lion District Governor, Fred has made service to the community his hallmark.  Vilma, well known through Keith’s restaurant, is also a community volunteer and proud supporter of LGBTQ rights.  Most recently, Vilma’s Pie Recipe book brought in well over $14,000 for the Legion, Pelham Cares and Wellspring.  Finally, David, a retired police officer, was recognized for a lifetime of commitment to youth in crisis.  Throughout his professional career he has made a point of focusing on youth in crisis and this then extended to volunteer work with Youth Resources Niagara and with the Family and Children’s Services Foundation.

The Club also presented two Paul Harris Fellows to its own family.  The first was presented to Jennifer Allen, partner to Rotarian Paul Allen.  Throughout her life, Jennifer has been passionate about quilting and sewing.  At the start of the pandemic, Jennifer assisted Rotary Club of Fonthill members in cutting and sewing over 3000 facemasks at a time when PPE were hard to come by.  Once this initial project ended, Jennifer continued to sew – making masks and quilts and selling them with all proceeds going to Wellspring Niagara.  Additionally, Jennifer continued virtually supporting her Wellspring quilting group as well as others in the community.  The club also recognized Rotarian David Schulz.  A newer member of the club, David quickly took on the task of club secretary and then moved on to Executive Secretary and head of communications.  Through David’s tireless work, the club was able to continue its work throughout the pandemic by maintaining an enhanced social media presence and improved ability to share its stories.  David has done this at the club and district level and provides on going support of clubs in the area.

Photo Left to Right: Jennifer Allen, David Schulz, Michele Ciolfi, Karen Leavens, David Weeks, Mall Accursi, Michael Accursi, Fred Arbour, Vilma Moretti