The Rotary Spring Book Sale was a big success thanks to the incredible work of our Rotarian and Non-Rotarian volunteers. A Book Sale volunteer wind-up was attended and some received unexpected honours.
Verne Saunderson, Jane Neil and Trudy Hemstad were given the Paul Harris award for community service. This is Rotary's highest honour.
Verne Saunderson has volunteered at the Rotary Book Sales for 3 years. His dedication to serving Brandon literacy is well noted. He not only picks the books up at Co-op Heritage Grocery twice a week, he also goes to the “Palace” and sorts donated books. He has been “on call” for sundry jobs that Marty may ask him to do. This includes, going with Marty to pick up extra-large book donations or free pallets in Oak Lake!
Jane Neil offered to help Trudy with the Book Sale volunteers. She was able to set up the email lists and also the required email communications that were sent out before the Fall and Spring sales. As my “assistant” volunteer coordinator, she frequently reminded me of the required communications. In additions, Jane manages the Third Age Learning Cooperative’s website and has been very active documenting street signage in Brandon as it relates to the Women of Brandon. The Riverbank’s Bee Friendly flowerbed began as a project she worked on as a member of the Bee City Committee. Jane Neil is working to keep our Brandon Community strong. Congratulations Jane!
President Alan Moulin, who has kept Rotary strong though COVID is in the background.
Trudy Hemstad (left) is a Rotarian who has been the go to person for Book Sale volunteers for many years, managing the scheduling, as well as organizing other aspects of the sale like washing the aprons and ensuring COVID requirements were met at the most recent sales. In order to find volunteers during COVID, she used her connections from the Rotary Grants committee. Trudy phoned every organization Rotary had made donations to, and requested support which she was very successful in finding. The book sale email list now has 163 volunteer contacts 58 of whom worked at the most recent sale!
While on the Grants Committee, she spent hours with organizations, helping them complete the required Grant Request forms and visiting the facilities before and after grants were awarded. Congratulations Trudy!
Verne's wife Lynda who has also spent time volunteering is next to Trudy.
Volunteers from Ashley Neufeld Softball Park have been supporting the Book Sale for years now and this year was no different! Thanks for your support once again it is much appreciated.
Jane speaks with former Rotary Exchange student Chris who moved to Brandon from Australia. He understands the good that Rotary does, first hand!
Past President Chuck LaRocque and Bernie Chrisp enjoying some Rotary fellowship at the volunteer event.
One of the ways a Rotarian receives a Paul Harris, is by donating to the Rotary International Foundation and PolioPlus programs. The RI Foundation allows clubs around the world the opportunity to use donated funds to increase the community impact by matching the funds raised by local or international clubs. Marty Snelling, the Rotarian who stepped up 3 years ago to manage the Book Sale has done just that. In fact, he had donated so much in the past year that he received 2 pins.
In addition, he has chaired the Book Sale Committee that ensures that the necessary work that goes on all year and the two book sales happen without a hitch. He named our book storage building “The Book Palace” even though it is barely warm enough to sort books in! He has given us the direction and support needed to make the Spring Book Sale the best one ever. This Rotarian understands Rotary's model of Service above Self, he is truly the King of the Palace! Congratulations Marty!
Congratulations to these incredible volunteers and many thanks to all who made the work of actual sale light work.
Rotary Club of Brandon
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Service Above Self
Brandon, MB
Canada