HSV Rotary honored with district awards
HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village is part of District 6170, which also includes Arkadelphia, Benton, Bauxite, Bryant, Camden, Conway, El Dorado, Magnolia, Monticello, Pine Bluff and Russellville. Each year, a district conference is held in one of the host cities and this year, it took place in Hot Springs.
A highlight of the event was the annual recognition of top clubs, and HSV Rotary found its place at the top.
Among the honors HSV Rotary received was being third for highest average giving to the charitable Rotary Foundation, and second for highest weekly club attendance. The Hot Springs Village club also came in second place for Club of the Year, based on all its activities and charitable work.
First place honors went to HSV Rotary for having the most Paul Harris Fellows in 2016-17. Named for Paul P. Harris, who founded Rotary International in 1905, the recognition acknowledges those who contribute $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation for its charitable work.
In addition, the Presidential Leadership Award went to this year’s club president, Villager Donna Aylward. In a news release, she said, “I’m so proud to be a member of the Rotary Club of Hot Springs Village. We are honored to be recognized by our district leadership. However, our club did not need to be presented with awards for me to know that the membership is made up of some of the hardest working, philanthropic and supportive people I have had the privilege to know in Hot Springs Village.
“It has truly been a wonderful year of ‘service above self’ opportunities as we assisted with a variety of programs and events in the Village and surrounding communities. I’ve been very privileged to serve as president of the club this year.”
At each District Conference, a random drawing is held for the prize called “Where in the World for Dinner” — a chance to fly and dine anywhere in the world. This year’s winner was none other than Aylward, a first for the HSV club.
In the release, she said she was surprised and excited, adding, “My husband, Dan, and I have had so much fun deciding how to use our two tickets to go anywhere in the world to have dinner. Although we haven’t made final arrangements as of this time, Hawaii, Costa Rica and Iceland are some of the places on the list.”
Membership in HSV Rotary Club is open to all, and guests are always welcome to attend weekly meetings, held at 7 a.m. Thursdays in the Fireside Dining Room of the Good Samaritan Society, 121 Cortez Road.