Joe Persia, Jeanne Smitiuch, Sharon Brooks, John Utley and Wayne Branchaud honouring John at the Rotary of Brantford Sunrise Paul Harris Award dinner.
Kids Can Fly attended the Rotary Club of Brantford Sunrise‘s Paul Harris Recognition Event on October 7, 2015 to honour John Utley who was inducted as a Paul Harris Fellow.
John has a long list of service in the community, but near and dear to our heart is his service to Kids Can Fly as the first Chair of our organization over 14 years ago. John has always been a great supporter and cheerleader for Kids Can Fly and continues to work toward our mandate of
“Kids Can Fly will act as a catalyst for positive change in the promotion of early childhood development in Brant. It will focus its activities on being an advocate for children from prenatal to 6 years and parenting. In addition, it will seek, to ensure early learning and growth opportunities, to support ALL children in our community.”
Paul Harris Fellow recognition was created in memory of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary as a way to show appreciation for contributions to the Foundation’s charitable and educational program. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a Fellow.
Wayne Branchaud, the current Kids Can Fly chair and Rotarian was on hand to celebrate John’s honour. Joe Persia, board member of Kids Can Fly and Rotarian, Sharon Brooks, Executive Director of Kids Can Fly and Jeanne Smitiuch, Ontario Director, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library were also in attendance to celebrate John’s accomplishments.
Thank you to John for your contribution to Kids Can Fly and support over the years. John lives out Rotary motto’s “service above self” and Kids Can Fly is proof!