NORWOOD, MA, May 29, 2012 — The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary Club (NVSR) has announced that Norwood resident Brendan Gearty will be this year’s recipient of the “Service Above Self Award.” Gearty, owner of Norwood Printing and outgoing President of NVSR, was selected for his outstanding service to the town of Norwood and surrounding Neponset Valley communities.

 The Service Above Self Award was created to honor groups or individuals who exhibit outstanding service to the their communities. Mike Thornton, Co-Chair of this year’s event said, “This award honors people just like Brendan Gearty—people who give themselves fully and without hesitation to their community and to their fellow man. I have known Brendan for decades and have seen firsthand the level of his dedication to community, his utter selflessness, and the profoundly positive impact his quiet generosity has had on those most in need among us, both locally and globally. Brendan consistently lives his life with one overarching goal: to provide “service above self” to those in the world who truly need our help the most. All of these factors, and more, make Brendan the obvious choice for Rotary's award.”

Details for the Service Above Self Dinner, slated to take place early this fall, are still in the planning stages. Proceeds will be used to support non-profit organizations and causes. More information will be available at www.nvsrotary.org. Businesses or individuals who wish to honor Brendan or are interested in sponsoring this event should contact Event Co-Chairs Mike Thornton at 617-759-0251 and Pat Balerna at 617-593-1232.

The Neponset Valley Sunrise Rotary supports local charitable organizations and the Rotary Foundation’s efforts to enhance our world. The club meets weekly at Holiday Inn, Dedham from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and represents the towns of Canton, Dedham, Foxborough, Medfield, Milton, Norfolk, Norwood, Randolph, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, and Westwood. For more information, visit www.nvsrotary.org or email nvsrotary@gmail.com.