×

Tom Berkhouse honored as ‘Unsung Hero’ of the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club

Submitted Photo Tom Berkhouse, right, was recognized as the “unsung hero” and Rotarian of the Year of the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club for his dedicated service by Janese Berkhouse, left, 2017-2018 club president. She presented Tom with the award and a token of appreciation during a club celebration held on July 10 at Noble Winery in Westfield.

Tom Berkhouse, a Westfield resident, was given special recognition as the “Unsung Hero” of the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville for the 2017-2018 club year at this organization’s July 10 celebration at Noble Winery. Janese Berkhouse, 2017-2018 Club President, bestowed the honor upon this well deserving Rotarian, who is a ten-year club member and who happens to be her spouse.

She stated, “My final thank you of the evening goes to the Rotarian who has chaired our auction for ten years. When our Rotary Club was approached by a local foundation who offered a unique $10,000 challenge, Tom was instrumental in meeting with foundation representatives, along with Jim Wakeman, Club Foundation Chair, and he continued to work on the four fund-raising events which contributed to us meeting our PolioPlus Challenge.”

In eighteen months, this club surpassed its challenge goal and locally raised $11,715.46, which with various matches ultimately became $65,146.38 to aid global polio eradication efforts. This provided 108,577 children with doses of the polio vaccine. The polio virus remains in Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Janese Berkhouse continued her remarks about Tom Berkhouse by saying, “He also once again served this year as Club Community Service Chair. He filled in for many Rotarians when they were unable to attend meetings and complete club service activities, and he helped to set up and clean up at many meetings. I am sure he will not miss proofreading the 48 e-newsletters that I wrote this past club year! Certainly, I could count on Tom to spend countless hours listening to all of my Rotary ideas and concerns, serving as my confidant, encourager and supporter. I am pleased to gratefully recognize Tom Berkhouse as the Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville’s 2017-2018 “unsung hero” and Rotarian of the Year.”

Upon being named as the recipient of this honor, Tom Berkhouse humbly said, “I was very surprised to receive this award. There are so many needs in the communities which our club serves. It is very easy for service to become a way of life.” This Rotary Club serves the five communities of Brocton, Mayville, Ripley, Sherman and Westfield, and it also supports international service.

The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville extends its sincere praise to Tom Berkhouse for being a very dedicated member and community service volunteer. If you see Tom today, please give him a hearty handshake and congratulations.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today