Sam and Carmela Spagnolo, seated, accept the award presented by, standing from left, 2010-2011 Potsdam Rotary President Neal Zirn, award chair Mary Sue Foster, and 2011-2012 President Lowell Warner.
POTSDAM –The Rotary Club of Potsdam presented Sam and Carmela Spagnolo with the Service Above Self Award its annual dinner on June 29.
The Service Above Self Award is given to non-Rotarians who have made outstanding contributions to the Potsdam community.
In presenting the award, Mary Sue Foster said, “If Potsdam were to be judged by welcoming standards, then the Spagnolos would be considered our ambassadors. Their doors are always open to every member of the community. Whether it be a new physician in town, a visiting performing artist or a family celebrating a special event, the Spagnolos have made everyone feel part of their own. They have been generous to various charities throughout the community and have asked for no fanfare, no recognition, no acknowledgements. Tonight, we, as Rotarians, insist they step up and get a little bit of the recognition they deserve.”
Foster said that the award was a small token of appreciation of all that the Spagnolos had done for the community.
“Rotary appreciates and recognizes your unselfish acts and contributions to our community,” said Foster.
The Potsdam Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at Ponderosa in Potsdam. For more information, visit the club’s Web site at www.potsdamrotary.org.
