Rotarians salute Del Parker
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Feilding Herald
Sanson resident Del Parker was thrilled last week when she was presented with the distinguished Rotary Award of the Paul Harris Fellow medal for special community achievement.
Mrs Parker had been invited to the Makino Rotary Club dinner as a special guest, but did not really know why and was totally surprised when she was presented with the Paul Harris Fellow Award by District D9940 Governor, Pat Waite.
Although not a Rotary member, Mrs Parker was choosen from several nominees to receive the award for her service to the community. She has lived in Sanson for 45 years and raised her family there with her late husband, Don.
Mrs Parker was always involved with the Sanson School helping with fund raising, running stalls and contributing the majority of baking, knitting and toys for sale.
For many years she has been custodian for the Sandon Hall and takes all the hall bookings.
"Several years ago I was given the books and asked if I would look after it (the hall) for a few weeks," she said.
Volunteers for the Sanson library are organised by Mrs Parker, she also writes and distributes the monthly village newsletter, and has been secretary of the community council for 14 years. Neighbourhood Watch in Sanson is another of her projects. She said keeping people motivated and involved is time consuming but petty crime has reduced since the Neighbourhood Watch started.
She also organises knitting blankets for orphans in Romania and Moldova and ensures these are collected and delivered.
"As you can tell, I hate housework," Mrs Parker said.
* The Rotary movement was founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris and three friends. It now has 1.2 million members in 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and territories. There are six Rotary districts in New Zealand.
- © Fairfax NZ News
