The three Rotary clubs in Abbotsford gathered on Nov. 16 to honour their respective Rotarians of the Year at the annual Don Funk Awards evening.
Mayor Henry Braun attended as the guest speaker and spoke about the value of volunteers in the community and how the City of Abbotsford is one of the most giving cities in all of Canada.
The Don Funk Awards were established in honour of the late Don Funk of the Abbotsford Rotary Club, who was an outstanding Rotarian.
He had been awarded the prestigious Rotary International “Service Above Self” award for arranging large shipments of medical equipment to third-world countries.
Receiving the awards this year were Stewart Greaves of the Abbotsford-Matsqui club, Michael Adkins of the Abbotsford-Sumas club and Henry Savard of the Abbotsford club.
Greaves is a dedicated Rotarian, joining the local club in 2012 after having been a member in Salmon Arm.
He has worked tirelessly in the role of treasurer for the club since 2013, and quietly takes on any task asked of him with a smile.
Greaves has also contributed to the community outside of Rotary in his role as manager at the Aldergrove Credit Union, supporting many downtown Abbotsford activities.
Michael Adkins, a 23-year Rotarian, has served the club as trustee, board member, committee chair and mentor.
He also serves on charities such as the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, the Institute for Canadian Citizenship, Literacy Matters Abbotsford, Community in Bloom, the Salvation Army, Little Free Library, and Cottage/Worthington Pavilion.
Adkins and his wife have been recognized as major donors to the Rotary Foundation. He currently serves as assistant district governor for Rotary district 5050.
Savard has been a Rotarian since 1973, the majority with the Abbotsford club.
He has served as president, treasurer and as a member of the club’s board of directors for many years.
Savard has chaired and sat on multiple club committees, working diligently to keep the club on track to reach its goals each year.
He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and has given of his time, treasure and talent in many ways.
Savard is respected by fellow club members and is described as a “truly wonderful person, who is kind-hearted, loyal and most deserving of this prestigious award.”