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Rotary Club honourees put service above self by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 21 | Thursday, February 5, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship award share a common ideal with the Rotary Club's founder -- service above self. Rotary's highest honour was handed out during a recent annual dinner and awards ceremony to seven individuals who demonstrate a strong commitment to helping people in need, locally and abroad. Hosted by the Rotary Club of Oakville (RCO), Rotary Club of Oakville Trafalgar (RCOT) and Rotary Club of Oakville West (RCOW), the event was held at the Oakville Conference Centre. The Paul Harris Fellowship was established in 1957 and named after the club's founder, Paul Harris, an American lawyer. Christie Henderson, John Sawyer, Britta Martini-Miles, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, Rev. Dr. Morar Murray Hayes, Linda Lightfoot and Pam Damoff received the accolade this year. Sawyer, president of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce since 2005, said it's an honour to be recognized because he knows Rotary's work firsthand. A past member of the Rotary clubs of St. Catharines and Vancouver, he served on the former's board of directors and chaired the Rotary TV auction and Easter Seals committees. In 2012, the Chamber and RCOW created the Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE), the club's yearly fundraiser to support local youths. Sawyer attributes the accolade to the organization's staff and volunteers, who work hard, and "freely and selflessly" give their time, he said. "Recognizing me is recognizing the organization. I am honoured and humbled to be here, but everyone needs to understand it's as much the staff and volunteers that are being recognized," said Sawyer. Several local Rotary Clubs handed out their Paul Harris Fellowship awards recently at the Oakville Conference Centre. Pictured, from left, are winners: in front, Christie Henderson, Linda Lightfoot, Britta Martini-Miles, in back, John Sawyer, Pam Damoff, Jeff Zabudsky, and Rev. Dr. Morar M. Murray-Hayes. | photo by Justin Greaves ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Damoff has represented Ward 2 on Town involvement as doing that. council since 2010 and is involved in numerous "I'm just involved in a lot of things and I have community causes and events. a lot of fun. If we can make the world a little She has chaired Oakville's Santa Claus Parade and Terry Fox Run since 2004 and 2010, respectively, and is the co-founder of Cycle Oakville -- a volunteer grassroots organization promoting cycling in the community. The Town councillor is also a member of the organizing committee for, and participant in, the annual Courage Polar Bear Dip to support World Vision Canada. Her team has helped raise nearly $9,000 over the last three years. Damoff said it's important to give back to the community, but she doesn't consider her bit better by doing it, then it's a good day," said Damoff. "It's really something to be in the same company as all these people who've been recognized for doing work in the community." Zabudsky, Sheridan College CEO and president, is the Food For Life board chair and a member of the board for the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC), the Mississauga Board of Trade and a board member of the Peel Children and Youth Initiative. He's also part of Mississauga's Healthy City Stewardship Centre and Economic Development Advisory Board. The Sheridan president chaired the United Way Oakville and Winnipeg campaigns in 2011 and 2009, respectively, served on the United Way of Peel's campaign cabinet and was on the board of the Winnipeg Harvest Food Bank. Zabudsky said it's very important as a college president to be active in the community, noting Sheridan's collaboration with RCOT in hosting Ribfest at the Oakville campus has become "hugely successful" in three years. "I can't tell you the esteem in which I hold Rotary clubs and the service they provide to the community. We see it every day in the scholarships they provide Sheridan students," said Zabudsky. "They're giving me an award for something see Paul on p.25 JOin Us Free take home whitening kit with patient exam and cleaning We pride ourselves on unprecedented personal service and care. Free Cookies, Chocolates & Prizes Grand Opening Saturday February 7 1-4 pm Sensational Chocolates, Handmade Locally 1011 Upper Middle Road East, Oakville 905-333-4463 www.walkerschocolates.ca 101-165 Cross Avenue Where patients become family WE HavE RaisEd THE BaR 289-837-4444