(President Ed Parkinson, Assistant Governor Kirk Riehl, Len Hawkins)
The Rotary Club of St. Marys was proud to recognize longtime member Len Hawkins as a Paul Harris Fellow +4, a significant Rotary honour that reflects many years of service and ongoing support for The Rotary Foundation.
Named after Rotary founder Paul Harris, the Paul Harris Fellow award is presented to individuals whose lives and contributions reflect Rotary’s ideals of service, goodwill, and community leadership. Each additional “plus” level represents continued contributions to The Rotary Foundation, making Len’s +4 recognition an indication of his deep and longstanding commitment to Rotary’s mission.
During the presentation, Rotarians noted that Paul Harris Fellows are recognized for their devotion to goodwill, peace, and understanding. Recipients join an international group of honourees that includes notable figures such as Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.
Len was recognized for his many years of service to the Rotary Club of St. Marys and the community. He has been involved with Rotary since 1969 and has been a dedicated Rotarian for more than four decades.
Over the years, Len has contributed to countless Rotary projects, events, and committees. He has been especially involved with Rural Urban, one of the club’s signature events, and was among the first committees he joined after becoming a Rotarian.
In presenting the award, Rotarians reflected on Len’s longstanding commitment to service and his willingness to quietly step forward whenever something needed to be done. His dedication over many years has helped shape both the club and the community.
In accepting the award, Len kept his remarks brief and characteristically humble. He said that when he first joined Rotary in the early 1990s, one of the first people to greet him was Ray Bennett. Len recalled that Ray quickly informed him that he would be serving on a committee — Rural Urban — and from that point on, he was involved.
Len reflected on the many years he has spent with Rotary and the friendships that have come with it. He suggested that, like many long-time Rotarians, once you become involved it is easy to remain engaged because of the people, the sense of service, and the connection to the community.
Although he joked that everyone already knew him and that his speech would be short, Len’s remarks reflected the humility and good humour that have made him such a respected member of the club.
The Rotary Club of St. Marys congratulates Len Hawkins on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his many years of dedicated service.