The rapidly growing Clayton Rotary Club was presented with significant awards and recognition at the Rotary District 7710 Conference, held recently in New Bern.
Leigh Hudson, owner of Hudson’s Hardware of Clayton and Garner, was recognized for his commitment to Rotary International’s goal of Polio Eradication in the world by 2018. “I’m honored to partner with 1.2 million fellow Rotarians worldwide to help do what was believed to be impossible by ending polio in my lifetime,” said Hudson. In 2012, he used his own money to have a painting commissioned called “Rotary – Doing Good in the World”, by Garner artist Vincent Wood. Since March 2014, over 125 prints have been sold, which has raised over $17,000, which is equivalent to over 25,000 doses of polio vaccine. Only three countries are still reporting cases of polio, so the goal is in sight.
The Clayton Rotary Club, shared with four other Rotary Clubs in Johnston County, the District 7710 Award for the Most Distinguished Community Service Project. Charles Marcom, Clayton, accepted the award on behalf all of the clubs, for their work in building safe play facilities for children with special needs at the Miracle League Park in Smithfield.
Terri Black and Ian Rumbles were recognized as Rookies of the Year for their work on the District 7710 Newsletter that has increased readership from under 20% of the 1800 members in the District to over 50% in only five months.
The Clayton club was recognized for collecting the most money towards Alzheimer’s Research among the 46 clubs in the district.
“Our club has placed a lot of emphasis on Alzheimer’s, whether it is towards research or the larger Music and Memory Project,” said John Long, President of the Clayton Rotary Club. “This project uses an iPod and a playlist customized to the Alzheimer’s patient, which has shown to make people more response to their caregivers. We plan to implement this project in three long term care facilities in Johnston County.”
The coveted President’s Award, presented on behalf of the President of Rotary International, was also presented to the Clayton Club for its member recruitment, community service and focus of enhancing the Rotary family. Long accepted the award on behalf of the club.
The Clayton Rotary Club meets every Thursday at 7:00am at Rainbow Lanes. The club has over 70 like-minded community volunteers of all ages, gender, races and background. The Club this year is celebrating 90 years of community service to Clayton, Johnston County and internationally.
