PALM COAST, Fla. (June 26, 2024) – Surrounded by family and friends, Jeannette Loftus stood with a sense of pride and purpose as she recited the oath of leadership for the Rotary Club of Flagler County as District Governor Mickey Ulmer on Tuesday evening at Channel Side in Palm Coast.
While some may aspire to one day hold such a prestigious leadership role, for Loftus it’s a full circle moment as the takes the helm in Flagler County for the second time since becoming a Rotarian nearly 30 years ago under the Rotary International theme of ‘The Magic of Rotary’.
Having traveled the world serving the organization known for its primary goal of eradicating polio, Loftus recited a story of helping vaccinate youth in India during a national immunization day, and the deepening appreciation she felt for the many blessings of being an American.
“It’s our job to bring the magic of Rotary to our community and to the world,” Loftus told members and guests.
“The magic begins in each one of you. It is what you see in your everyday lives. It’s the people you touch when you meet them on the street or in the store or how you behave. It’s setting the example for our children and our grandchildren. I am so proud to be a Rotarian.”
Loftus has set an example that her family has followed, including her granddaughter Emma who is the current president of her youth Rotary Club, EarlyAct, at Bunnell Elementary School.
Proudly reciting the list of goals the young club has met during the year, Emma counted reading to younger children and participating in beach cleanups among the organization’s shining achievements.
Not the only Rotarian recognized during the evening as Charles Barbel closed out his final duties as president, Maralee Walsh McDaniel was presented with her eighth Paul Harris Fellow pin by the district governor, a point of pride for the legacy Rotarian. Walsh McDaniel was also presented with the evening’s Presidential Award by Barbel for her many behind-the-scenes contributions to the organization.
“I received this President’s Award for being a support to the current president of the club and everything we do in the community,” said Walsh McDaniel. “It’s nice to be recognized. The Paul Harris is for contributions to Rotary International for supporting global grants and different things we do in the community. Over the years I’ve contributed time, service and money toward doing good in the world.”
“Rotary is special to me because my father was a Rotarian, President of his club in Yonkers, and continued to be involved. I love Rotary and I love giving back to the community,” she said.
Recognizing Barbel’s contributions to the organization during his term, aptly themed ‘Create Hope In the World’, Loftus noted that the club’s membership had added members for the first time since before COVID under Barbel’s leadership. As Immediate Past President Barbel will continue to work on his signature initiative formulating the IMPACT Club as part of the Rotary Club of Flagler County’s offerings.
Among Barbel’s proudest accomplishments, the IMPACT Club is an initiative he brought back from a Rotary convention while in Australia, and offers those interested in serving Rotary flexibility in their schedule while still giving back to the community as a Rotarian.
For more information, visit www.flaglerrotary.org.
Rotary Club of Flagler County 2023-24 Awardees
Kaiti Lenhart – Rotarian of the Year
Selina Hernandez – Rookie of the Year
Bill Butler – Hall of Fame Award
Maralee Walsh McDaniel – Presidential Award
Jane Walter – Service Above Self Award
Vandana Naik – International Service Award
Michelle Bartlome and Ken Costa – Legacy Rotarian Award
