The 85-year-old Truro resident spent Thursday afternoon at Ski Wentworth then rushed to the 89th annual Rotary Club of Truro’s Charter Night to receive a special honour that evening.
“I’m certainly honoured. It beats my expectations,” Wilson shared with the Truro Daily News shortly before receiving the Community Service Award, which is given to a non-Rotarian who provided outstanding service through volunteer work or financial support to organizations and/or individuals in the community.
“I’m always trying to be a good citizen. I never thought of it as out of the ordinary … it’s something I felt I should do,” said Wilson of receiving the highest club recognition of a non-Rotarian.
“It’s very gratifying … to give back to the community. It’s very humbling.”
Wilson is known for developing Wilson Fuels, beginning Kerr Controls and Smart Energy; owning Ski Wentworth; founding the Truro Bearcats Rugby Club in the late 1950s; assisting with the creation of the Truro Spartans Gymnastics Club in the 1970s; serving almost two decades as a Scout master for which he received a Canadian Commemorative Medal; being a patron of the Colchester Community Workshops Foundation; serving on numerous community boards; being a member of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame; and receiving a Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian award, to name a few.
Alana Hirtle was another award recipient. She was presented with the Rotarian of the Year Award.
“I feel like the belle of the ball (and) a little overwhelmed,” said Hirtle.
“It feels really wonderful to be recognized. I shall treasure that. I come from a family that believes in giving back.”
One of Hirtle’s most touching moments as a Rotarian was helping a woman who recently lost her husband and required help with her child, who has special needs.
“Hearing her voice and knowing how much of a positive impact rotary had … there’s nothing quite like that. I broke into tears. It doesn’t take millions to do good things.”
About 100 people attended the gathering. Past president Al Begin said the celebratory night always has good candidates to honour.
“There are lots of worthy people who go above and beyond,” in the community, Begin said.
The local club has more than 60 members. Rotary will celebrate its 110th anniversary this year.
Twitter: tdnMonique
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Award winners:
- Alana Hirtle - Rotarian of the Year for outstanding service to the club and rotary during the past year.
- Lydia Sorflaten - Avenues of Service Citation for outstanding service to the club over multiple years in all five avenues of service (club, vocational, community, international and youth).
- Richard Bowness, Les Mosher, Kevin Quinlan, Ted Jordan and Jim Gould - Paul Harris Fellows for people who contributed more than $1,000 to rotary programs.
- Dave Wilson – Community Service Award to a non-Rotarian who provided outstanding service through volunteer work or financial support to organizations and/or individuals in the community.
The 85-year-old Truro resident spent Thursday afternoon at Ski Wentworth then rushed to the 89th annual Rotary Club of Truro’s Charter Night to receive a special honour that evening.
“I’m certainly honoured. It beats my expectations,” Wilson shared with the Truro Daily News shortly before receiving the Community Service Award, which is given to a non-Rotarian who provided outstanding service through volunteer work or financial support to organizations and/or individuals in the community.
“I’m always trying to be a good citizen. I never thought of it as out of the ordinary … it’s something I felt I should do,” said Wilson of receiving the highest club recognition of a non-Rotarian.
“It’s very gratifying … to give back to the community. It’s very humbling.”
Wilson is known for developing Wilson Fuels, beginning Kerr Controls and Smart Energy; owning Ski Wentworth; founding the Truro Bearcats Rugby Club in the late 1950s; assisting with the creation of the Truro Spartans Gymnastics Club in the 1970s; serving almost two decades as a Scout master for which he received a Canadian Commemorative Medal; being a patron of the Colchester Community Workshops Foundation; serving on numerous community boards; being a member of the Nova Scotia Business Hall of Fame; and receiving a Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian award, to name a few.
Alana Hirtle was another award recipient. She was presented with the Rotarian of the Year Award.
“I feel like the belle of the ball (and) a little overwhelmed,” said Hirtle.
“It feels really wonderful to be recognized. I shall treasure that. I come from a family that believes in giving back.”
One of Hirtle’s most touching moments as a Rotarian was helping a woman who recently lost her husband and required help with her child, who has special needs.
“Hearing her voice and knowing how much of a positive impact rotary had … there’s nothing quite like that. I broke into tears. It doesn’t take millions to do good things.”
About 100 people attended the gathering. Past president Al Begin said the celebratory night always has good candidates to honour.
“There are lots of worthy people who go above and beyond,” in the community, Begin said.
The local club has more than 60 members. Rotary will celebrate its 110th anniversary this year.
Twitter: tdnMonique
-------
Award winners:
- Alana Hirtle - Rotarian of the Year for outstanding service to the club and rotary during the past year.
- Lydia Sorflaten - Avenues of Service Citation for outstanding service to the club over multiple years in all five avenues of service (club, vocational, community, international and youth).
- Richard Bowness, Les Mosher, Kevin Quinlan, Ted Jordan and Jim Gould - Paul Harris Fellows for people who contributed more than $1,000 to rotary programs.
- Dave Wilson – Community Service Award to a non-Rotarian who provided outstanding service through volunteer work or financial support to organizations and/or individuals in the community.
