The Rotary Club of Abbotsford presented the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Awards to three people on Wednesday in recognition of their exceptional service to the community.
The honour went to Rick Lucy, deputy chief of the Abbotsford Police Department; Mike Wakita, director of membership for the Rotary Club of Abbotsford; and Deb Lehmann, executive director of the Abbotsford Hospice Society (AHS).
“(They) exemplify by their actions and deeds the Rotary motto of ‘Service above Self,’ “ said Lenora McQueen, club president.
Lucy serves on the Special Olympics board of directors and will soon be leaving for Athens as the organization’s Team Canada soccer coach. As well, he has been working since 2007 with the Windhoek, Namibia police department to help them set up their own force.
Wakita was recognized for his work in increasing the Rotary Club of Abbotsford’s membership, implementing programs, and taking part in a Rotaplast medical mission to Cebu which provided cleft palate surgery to underprivileged children.
Lehmann was honoured for her dedication and passion to the hospice society, leading to the development of an adult hospice as part of the Campus of Care project adjacent to Abbotsford Regional Hospital.
Also included are Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and Matthew’s House, a respite facility for kids with severe disabilities.