Pictured above from left to right is Josh Costello and Jeff Hartman Courtesy of Carol Anne Hartman Photography Hickory Arts Artistic Director Jeff Hartman was surprised on Thursday, June 18, 2015 with a Paul Harris Fellowship as approved by the Rotary Club of Hickory Board of Directors—nominated by Rotarian John Rambo. more Paul Harris Fellowship award recipients are recognized for contributions to the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation helps fund humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives. The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. Donors of US$1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund, Polio-Plus, or an approved Foundation grant, or people, who have that amount contributed in their name, can be recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. This year’s Rotarian Idol Audience favorite, Josh Costello, performed during the meeting. Josh dedicated an original song, "Thank You" to Jeff for coaching him prior to Rotarian Idol 2015.

Hickory Rotary Club

Founded in 1921, the Hickory Rotary Club is Catawba County’s first and most widely recognized service organization. They take great pride in their club’s rich history of giving back to the community that has given so much to every one of us. In adherence to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self,” their club’s primary service avenue is education. In addition, they engage in a number of other service projects that benefit citizens in need, such as Salvation Army bell ringing, providing meals and gifts at Christmas, and Red Cross blood drives just to name a few.

The History of Paul Harris Fellow Recognition

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of US$1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. It was established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. The first Paul Harris Fellows include 1937-38 RI Director Allison G. Brush and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions made in 1957. Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the RI Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of then-past Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to purchase a Paul Harris Fellow medallion. Rotarians have a tradition of supporting the Foundation by honoring others. Ida LeTulle Taylor became a Paul Harris Fellow in 1978 when her husband, then-District Governor Vann Taylor, made a donation in her name in honor of their 34th wedding anniversary. The gift also made her the 25,000th Paul Harris Fellow. At the International Assembly in 1979, then-RI President-elect James Bomar challenged each Rotary club to make one non-Rotarian a Paul Harris Fellow. The Rotary Club of Pikesville, Maryland, USA, responded by making a donation in the name of Mother Teresa in 1980. The entertainer Pearl Bailey also became a Paul Harris Fellow through a joint effort of the Rotary clubs in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Many other notable figures have been named as Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Jonas Salk. The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the one million mark in 2006.