Last month, the Rotary Club of Morrisville hosted a special evening: our President-Elect Installation Dinner. It was a night dedicated to recognizing our outgoing President, Barron Damon, and welcoming our new President, Andrew Huyck. With 66 people in attendance, the event successfully highlighted the spirit of service and fellowship central to our club.
Honoring Leadership, Welcoming the Future
The evening was a chance to celebrate President Barron Damon’s successful year. Under his guidance, the Morrisville Rotary Club grew significantly, surpassing our goal to reach 41 members and achieving the best net gain among 48 clubs in our District. We also raised $29,000 at our Wine, Beer, and Bourbon Event, increasing our capacity to support local community organizations. Barron’s leadership earned our club several District awards, including the Club Excellence and Adaptability Awards.
We formally welcomed Andrew Huyck as the 27th President of the Morrisville Rotary Club. Andrew is now set to lead us into a new Rotary year focused on continued growth and service. A memorable moment was Andrew receiving his presidential pin, surrounded by past presidents, showcasing the club’s continuity and history.
Key Moments from the Evening
The Installation Dinner featured several significant moments:
- Paul Harris Award: Andrew’s mother-in-law, a former Rotary President, surprised him by presenting him with the Paul Harris Award.
- New Member Welcome: Jacqueline Whittenburg was celebrated as our 19th new member of the year, a testament to our club’s growth. Past Presidents participated in pinning new members, symbolizing their welcome into the club.
- Fellowship: Guests enjoyed connecting and strengthening bonds throughout the evening.
- Award Recipients: We recognized our dedicated members with awards: Rotarian of the Year Shirley Feuerstein, Most Valuable Rotarian Quoc Tran, Most Consistent Rotarian Ed Shearin, Wine, Beer, and Bourbon Champion Kathy Chorba, Volunteer of the Year Asher White, Partner of the Year the Town of Morrisville, and Rotary Champion Award Robin Allen. Robin’s expressed desire to volunteer more after receiving her award truly embodies Rotary’s mission.
- A Light Moment: The unexpected, repeated playing of “I’m So Excited” added a humorous and memorable touch to the event.
Special thanks to Matt Towler and his team at Searstone Retirement Community for hosting our event. The venue, fosod, and valet service were excellent, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable evening for all.
Looking Ahead
As Andrew begins his term, the Rotary Club of Morrisville is ready for another year of impact. Andrew’s focus for the upcoming year will be centered on deepening our commitment to service initiatives and enhancing member engagement. We’ve shown strong growth and community involvement, and our dedication to “Service Above Self” remains our priority.
