Three recipients of prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award announced
The three recipients were Ms Shirley Kelly and Mrs Carol and Mr Leigh Evans.
The Edenvale Rotary Club recently awarded three community members the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship Award for their hard work and commitment to assisting the community.
The three recipients were Ms Shirley Kelly and Mrs Carol and Mr Leigh Evans, who received the awards on October 13 for the work they have done at the Khanyisa soup kitchen.
Ms Linda Clarke, the secretary of the Edenvale Rotary Club, said the Rotary Club hands the awards to those who have assisted the community to their utmost ability.
Rotary presents Paul Harris Award
“Ms Kelly, who has been involved with the soup kitchen for over 20 years and managing it for 16 years, has always gone beyond the call of duty to keep it running,” said Ms Clarke.
Ms Clarke said Ms Kelly spent many of her off duty hours stocking the freezers and obtaining much-needed food for the soup kitchen.
“It is humbling to have received this award. I was in disbelief when I heard my name called,” said Ms Kelly.
Ms Kelly said she was at a loss for words when her name was called for the award.
Ms Clarke said Mr and Mrs Evans have spent a large amount of their own time visiting Woolworths on Sunday afternoons to collect food which they took to Khanyisa.
“They have been incredible supporters of Khanyisa,” said Ms Clarke.
“The soup kitchen relies solely on donations in order to prepare and serve a hot midday meal every weekday to approximately 200 unemployed and homeless people per week,” said Ms Clarke.
She said the soup kitchen also assists the unemployed in Edenvale to find employment.
Ms Clarke said Mr Paul Harris, whom the award is named after, was the third president of the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1907.
“Rotary clubs honour individuals who make a significant contribution to the community as Paul Harris Fellows” said Ms Clarke.
“The club initiated its first public service project, the construction of public toilets in Chicago. This step transformed Rotary into the world’s first service club,” said Ms Clarke.
