Anne Leverton Award

Every year, the Anne Leverton Award is presented to a Rotary volunteer who shows exemplary leadership and efforts during Rotary Loves Kids and Party in the Square.  Anne Leverton was a long-time Rotarian who fully embraced the ideals of Rotary.  Anne was a fierce supporter of Rotary Loves Kids.  When I think of Anne, I think of fellowship, loyalty, volunteerism, community and especially "Service Above Self".  Sadly, Anne passed away after a battle with cancer in late 2011.

 

This small memoriam is intended to recognize all of these same attributes in the recipient and their ongoing efforts to make RLK a success.  This year's recipient is definitely someone you want on your team.  When you lead a group like RLK there are a lot of moving parts.  Certainly too many to try and micro manage.  As such, you really need to be able to depend on each individual to do their job and do it well.  We have a great team, as evidenced by this year's 14th successful event.  However, this one volunteer just makes it all look and feel very easy.  Connie Reid's favourite saying is "I've got it -- all taken care of".  Music to my ears.  Connie not only takes care of setting up Party in The Square with Eric Thompson, John Smale and Chris Finkle, but she also manages to organize a golf day, pizza party and swimming outing for kids in care at CAS.  Never an unkind word.  Always cool, calm and collected........well maybe not cool (it was very, very hot).  But beyond this role of dependable volunteer, Connie went above and beyond for this year's event.  As July 15th loomed about one week away and we still didn't have a silent auction to speak of.  Connie stepped up to the plate and with Tracy Bray and Rose Oulette, constructed a slate of incredible items.  Asked for, procured, picked up, set up, organized and collected.  In the end, we netted another $3,500 we didn't have.

 

It is this "can do" attitude and ongoing Service Above Self that we recognize today.  Please help me congratulate Connie Reid.  This year's winner of the Anne Leverton Award.