The Rhode Island Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, a 50 year-old national organization representing more than 30,000 members in 213 chapters throughout the world, recently honored the Rotary Club of Wakefield with an award for its commitment to living their motto of "Service Above Self" and making a difference in their community since the club was founded in 1957.

Each year, local chapters of the AFP recognize the significant impact of philanthropy and the entire spectrum of services provided by non-profit organizations that have a "profound impact on the fabric of society and the quality of life in individual communities." Awards are presented to an individual outstanding citizen, business or corporation, and service organization. 

Nominated this year by the Welcome House of South County, the Rotary Club of Wakefield was recognized on November 23 as the 2010 Outstanding Philanthropic Organization at the 2010 National Philanthropy Day Community Awards Breakfast at the Crown Plaza. Rotary Club President Sean McIntyre accepted the award on behalf of the members of the Wakefield Club.

Over the past 30 years, more than $1 million in gifts, grants, services, products and time have been put back into the local and international communities by the Rotary Club of Wakefield. Money raised from their two major fundraising events — the Narragansett Art Festival and the South County Hot Air Balloon Festival — go back into the local community.

Support has been provided to the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale, the Welcome House of South County, South County Hospital, Camp Fuller, the South County YMCA, the Tri-Pond Park Nature Center, the Boy Scouts, the Academic Decathlon, the Domestic Violence Resource Center, Thundermist Health Center, South County Community Action, CANE Day Care, the South Kingstown Senior Center and numerous other local organizations or individuals in need.

The 75-plus members of the Rotary Club of Wakefield donate time doing community service projects that concentrate on such issues as the environment, children at risk, violence, illiteracy, poverty, hunger and homelessness. 

On the international level, the Rotary Club of Wakefield has provided funds for clean water projects in Honduras and Cambodia as well as a variety of humanitarian, health and education programs in other parts of the world. In addition, annual contributions from club members since 1985, and the annual Vincent Turco Memorial Walk initiated in May 2010, have been an important part of bringing Rotary International close to the goal of realizing a polio-free world.

The Rotary Club of Wakefield has also been recognized this year with two other awards. In October, the South Kingstown Chamber presented the club with the 2010 Quality of Life Impact Award and a special acknowledgement award from the Institute of International Sport for the club's role in establishing the World Scholar-Athlete Games at the University of Rhode Island in 1993.

"While it has certainly been my honor to accept these awards this year on behalf of the Rotary Club of Wakefield, it has been humbling as well,"  President Sean McIntyre said. "Over the last 57 years of our club's history, we have had so many members contribute so much to making a difference in our local community and in the world. I know that will not change as our club continues into the future because there is still so much that needs to be done to improve the quality and condition of peoples' lives. That's where we will continue to direct our efforts and resources."