This year, Fidalgo Island Rotary honored five Anacortes community members with Paul Harris Fellowships as a thank you for all their hard work here in Anacortes. A Paul Harris Fellow, named for the Rotary founder, is someone who has contributed a certain amount to the Rotary Foundation; a club can also choose to give fellowships to members or community members to recognize them for their outstanding service work. This year, Fidalgo Island Rotary honors:
Rene Rodriguez, a chairperson the Food to Go, which provides supplemental food bags for Anacortes school kids of all ages who are experiencing food insecurity over the weekends. This effort supports the students’ health and learning. Rodriguez and Kari Mathis founded Food to Go three years ago, which has continued to help and serve students here on Fidalgo Island. FIR is excited to continually contribute funds to this program. This is Rodriguez' first Paul Harris recognition.
Jordy Pratt, a Community Resource Manager for the Anacortes Family Center. She headed up the program that connects Family Center clients with local motels for temporary housing. Pratt acted as the liaison between the applicants and the motels, and visited with the clients everyday. She assisted clients with their needs of shelter and rehabilitation, and was integral part of the team at the Anacortes Family Center, which FIR has contributed to the past several years. This is Pratt's first Paul Harris recognition.
Erica Pickett, a member of the local Soroptimist Chapter and chair of their Community Service Committee. One of her duties is overseeing the distribution of home health equipment, which so many of our community members use. FIR really wanted to honor the entire Soroptimist chapter for this contribution to Anacortes, but alas, RI rules indicate the recognition must go to an individual, not an entire club or chapter, so we recognize Pickett as a standout member of their organization. In addition, the committee Pickett heads up includes Domestic Violence, Economic and Social Development, Human Rights/Status of Women, Scholarships and Ways and Means. Pickett also served on the Anacortes City Council for many years. This is her first Paul Harris recognition.
Michele Pope, a long time active community member for the past 24 years. Her biggest contribution to the city of Anacortes was the fund raiser for the repair of the Tommy Thompson Trails Trestle after the fire. Approximately $300,000 was needed, and she accomplished this by making it “Our Anacortes Project”, and it was most successful. Pope has been involved in PTA at both Mt. Erie Elementary School and Anacortes Middle School, OARS, and served on the boards of the Senior Center and Anacortes Parks Foundation. In 2019 she ran a very successful Unconventional Runway Show for the Senior Center Foundation fund raiser. This is her second Paul Harris recognition.
Eric Johnson, for his efforts on behalf of the homeless and his tireless work to increase child care opportunities Johnson is one of the founders of the Anacortes Family Center, which serves homeless women, children and families in crisis by providing shelter in addition to comprehensive transformational services to achieve long lasting personal success and self sufficiency. Johnson is a retired USAF colonel, and has also served on the Anacortes City Council for 10 years. He received his first Paul Harris from FIR in 2006; this is his second Paul Harris recognition.
Jordy Pratt, a Community Resource Manager for the Anacortes Family Center. She headed up the program that connects Family Center clients with local motels for temporary housing. Pratt acted as the liaison between the applicants and the motels, and visited with the clients everyday. She assisted clients with their needs of shelter and rehabilitation, and was integral part of the team at the Anacortes Family Center, which FIR has contributed to the past several years. This is Pratt's first Paul Harris recognition.
Erica Pickett, a member of the local Soroptimist Chapter and chair of their Community Service Committee. One of her duties is overseeing the distribution of home health equipment, which so many of our community members use. FIR really wanted to honor the entire Soroptimist chapter for this contribution to Anacortes, but alas, RI rules indicate the recognition must go to an individual, not an entire club or chapter, so we recognize Pickett as a standout member of their organization. In addition, the committee Pickett heads up includes Domestic Violence, Economic and Social Development, Human Rights/Status of Women, Scholarships and Ways and Means. Pickett also served on the Anacortes City Council for many years. This is her first Paul Harris recognition.
Michele Pope, a long time active community member for the past 24 years. Her biggest contribution to the city of Anacortes was the fund raiser for the repair of the Tommy Thompson Trails Trestle after the fire. Approximately $300,000 was needed, and she accomplished this by making it “Our Anacortes Project”, and it was most successful. Pope has been involved in PTA at both Mt. Erie Elementary School and Anacortes Middle School, OARS, and served on the boards of the Senior Center and Anacortes Parks Foundation. In 2019 she ran a very successful Unconventional Runway Show for the Senior Center Foundation fund raiser. This is her second Paul Harris recognition.
Eric Johnson, for his efforts on behalf of the homeless and his tireless work to increase child care opportunities Johnson is one of the founders of the Anacortes Family Center, which serves homeless women, children and families in crisis by providing shelter in addition to comprehensive transformational services to achieve long lasting personal success and self sufficiency. Johnson is a retired USAF colonel, and has also served on the Anacortes City Council for 10 years. He received his first Paul Harris from FIR in 2006; this is his second Paul Harris recognition.