2023 Award Recipient
The Rotary Club of Woonsocket’s annual vocational service award is to recognize an individual, business or a Rotarian in the communities of Burrillville, North Smithfield and Woonsocket, who exemplifies outstanding commitment to his, her or their business or profession, over a significant number of years, leaving a lasting influence on his, her or their vocational area and the community in general. Recipients embody Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” and Rotary’s ethical guidelines in its 4 Way Test, a call to moral excellence.
This year, the committee chose two honorees, Irene Blais and Bette Gallogly.
Irene Blais is a very giving person who is seen at almost every city fundraiser. She is the President of the Woonsocket Historical Society and has volunteered at the Museum of Work and Culture for 23 years. Irene gives free tours of the city, if you have never done a walking tour with her, you have missed out on a great opportunity. Irene volunteers at the Woonsocket Rotary’s Just for You Children’s Giving Center every Friday and is very dependable. Irene exemplifies Service Above Self with a smile, a big heart and an excellent choice to honor for our Vocational Service award.
Irene is someone that the community of Woonsocket can count on! She gives countless hours of her time while never complaining. She is always smiling and provides a warm, welcoming environment to anyone she may interact with during an event, giving a tour or offering her assistance with a project. Rena DiMuccio, Woonsocket Rotary Vocations Service Award chairperson said, “Through various committees we have served on together, I have been fortunate to get to know Irene. One might find her serving food, selling tickets, giving a tour, manning the desk or covering “just for you” every Friday, - this is just naming a few. Without hesitation, Irene selflessly commits her time and energy to ensure the success of whatever cause or organization she is involved with. Irene exhibits rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” in her daily life. I, personally, am grateful for her energy and dedication to the city of Woonsocket, especially our Rotary club”.
The second Award recipient was for Bette Gallogly from the Woonsocket Women’s Shelter. Bette has worked for Community Care Alliance as the Manager/Director of the Women’s Shelter in Woonsocket. Over the past twenty years, she has partnered with the Rotary club of Woonsocket to provide the children living in the Shelters in the cities and their families a Christmas party at the Woonsocket senior center, Aging Well Inc. In the last several years, she has partnered with the club, to allow us to beautify the grounds near the shelter. She is gracious and is always upbeat, despite the despair she deals with daily. If you are bringing donations to the shelter or to assist on a project, you are greeted with a smile and a bear hug and insists on helping you or getting a staff person to bring everything inside. Rena DiMuccio, Woonsocket Rotary Vocations Service Award chairperson said, “It takes a very special type of person to do this type of job for so long and give so much of herself to the families in need. She is an unsung hero and exemplifies “Service Above Self”.