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Local focus for new Rotary president

Rotary Club of White Rock president Jaqui Joys plans to have projects 'closer to home.'
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Incoming Rotary Club of White Rock President for 2012-2013 Jaqui Joys

Jaqui Joys, president of the Rotary Club of White Rock for 2012-’13, says the club will bring in other Rotary Clubs to develop programs that benefit local residents.

“In the coming year, we will look for projects closer to home to see where we can be of service in our own community,” Joys said Friday, on taking over from outgoing president Ian Lagasse.

“There are five clubs on the Peninsula, and we will plan some of our events as multi-club projects.”

The club has already done a beach cleanup and is in the process of planning an August picnic for disadvantaged children, Joys added.

At the installation of the new president, the club presented the Paul Harris Fellow Award to several outstanding community volunteers and philanthropists.

The award goes to individuals who have contributed more than $1,000 to the Annual Program Fund, the Polio Plus Fund or the Humanitarian Grants Program of the Rotary Foundation.

As well, Rotary clubs from time to time honour individuals who meet the “high professional and personal standards” defined by Paul Harris, who founded Rotary International in 1905.

A Paul Harris Fellow receives a special certificate and a gold pin.

Two of the award recipients, Betty Wahl and Patricia Johnston, are volunteers with Peace Arch Hospital.

Wahl has been an auxiliary volunteer for 40 years and is also president of the Semiahmoo Group that participates in hospital fundraising functions. Her efforts as the hospital’s gift shop convenor for the past six years, along with the 40 volunteers she oversees, have helped raise over $400,000 a year for the hospital.

Johnston joined the PAH Auxiliary 10 years ago and has been the Superfluity Shop convenor for five years.

A third recipient is philanthropist Milton Carrasco, who has donated $20,000 to the Rotary Club of White Rock over the past two years.

Carrasco is CEO and president of his own company, Transoft Solutions, which deals in transportation software and employs 50 people.

Born in Uganda, he and his wife, Valery, spent their early years there before moving to Calgary and then Vancouver.

His donation has been used for Rotary projects in Uganda and internationally. Jean Buchanan received a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her service to both Rotary and Rotary project REC for Kids.

REC stands for Recycle Equipment and Cycles.

Donations of slightly used equipment and cycles are refurbished and distributed to children in need.

Harry White, a past Rotary member and past REC director also received a Harris award.

John Ansell was recognized for ‘service above self,’ for his continued commitment to the success of the club’s book committee and major book sale project.

The 86-year-old Ansell has been a Rotarian for 36 years and has served as a director for the past two.

The 2012 White Rock Rotarian of the Year Award was awarded posthumously to Bill Holtby, a Rotarian since 1954, who also received the honour in 1997 and 2002. White Rock Rotary is the peninsula’s oldest Rotary club.