Norwin Rotary members are proud of the work they do, and the regional Rotary organization agrees with their assessment.

The club was recognized as the Rotary Club of the Year by Rotary District 7330, a distinction awarded to only one of the district's 44 clubs. Norwin Rotary also received the Governor's Crystal Citation, awarded by the district, and the Presidential citation, given by the international Rotary organization.

Bill Merchant, Norwin Rotary president, said the awards were based on Norwin's commitment to the Rotary's four avenues of service: club, community, international and vocational. He said the club was fortunate to be able to work actively in all four areas, as well as provide financial support for national and international Rotary initiatives.

Over the past year, Norwin Rotary members have participated in numerous service projects. One of the farthest reaching has been an initiative started by the club in the late 1990s: establishing and expanding poison control centers in Ukraine.

The club also raised money to buy water filters sent to the Dominican Republic and has contributed financially to the international Rotary's campaign to eradicate polio.

Closer to home, Rotary members have built ramps at the homes of people with disabilities, and the club raised funds to start Project Lifesaver, which gives tracking bracelets to people with Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The club also works closely with students in Norwin High School's Interact Club, and assists students with fundraising projects and yearly road cleaning drives.

Rotary members said they find themselves working on projects out of a desire to serve others, and that motivation is a powerful one.

"If there's a task out there and we see a need, we get it done," said member Dennis Diffenderfer.

"It's a good group of people that have good hearts," Lou Durigon said.

Dave Balmert said part of the Rotary's motivation, particularly when working with high schoolers, is to provide a good example. Balmert said when he goes out with the Interact Club to clean roads, he always points out to the students that the Rotary members alongside them are doctors, lawyers and business leaders, who despite their professional careers, still come out to help.

"All these guys are going to put on gloves and wear a vest and pick up garbage," he said.

In giving to others, the Rotarians find both a sense of personal commitment and a deep bond with each other. "We help each other as well as our community," Barbara Braun said.

"Somebody needs something; they don't really need to ask," Diffenderfer said.

Ultimately, those motivations of giving to others are the best reward, and the Club of the Year distinction is a minor thing in comparison, Merchant said.

"These people could care less about this (award). It's not all about this," he said.

"We've achieved these things not because there's pins, badges, flags and things."