The honoree of the Rhinebeck Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year was Father Gallagher, who is now retired and lives in North Carolina. For many pastors, there are boundaries in terms of sharing themselves and their time with their congregation – specified office hours, counseling sessions by appointment only, built-in rules on helping those in their congregation only. For Father Gallagher, there have been no such “lines in the sand”. His life is all about “service above self”.
Pictured: Father Gallagher and Dr. David Crenshaw
photo credit: www.sharpimagesphotographic.com
From the time he relocated to Rhinebeck in January of 1985, at which point he was installed as the new rector for the very beautiful and historical Church of the Messiah, he has enhanced the lives of everyone who has been fortunate enough to know him. His care and compassion have extended beyond his call of duty as the minister to the church community – his outreach has infiltrated our entire town. He provided leadership that not only served to build upon the community at Messiah during his 25-plus years there, but also has provided leadership necessary in our broader community – in his very humble way - so that all of us can live more virtuously.
His presence truly embodies the values of Rotary.
Williams Lumber was recognized as one of Rhinebeck’s exemplary businesses, espousing many of values inherent to Rotarians. For 66 years, Williams has been meeting the needs of the community in the Hudson Valley and Catskill regions for hardware, lumber, building materials, millwork, masonry and more. Stan Williams first started Williams Lumber in 1946, when he purchased the Gibson Lumber Company on East Market Street in Rhinebeck, NY. Today Williams Lumber & Home Centers employs 260 associates across eight stores and serves contractors and homeowners in Ulster, Dutchess, Greene and Columbia counties. In addition to their experienced associates, Williams Lumber is operated by three Williams family members: Sandy, President; Kelly, Vice President – Contractor Sales and Kim, Vice President – Retail Operations.
The Williams Family has been recognized for their service to the community. In 1996 Owner and President Sandy Williams was named “Lumber Person of the Year” by the Northeastern Retail Lumberman’s Association. In 2002, Sandy was also named “Dutchess County’s 2002 Business Person of the Year” by the Poughkeepsie Journal. And in 2008, like her father before her, Kim was honored with the coveted “Lumber Person of the year” award.
The recognition for the Company and the Family have been a direct result of the high ethical business standards and continued commitment to the community. Tonight, the Rhinebeck Rotary Club was thrilled to honor Williams Lumber and the Williams Family for all they have done to give back to the community. Each year, Williams Lumber proudly donates to the Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude’s Hospital, the Boy Scouts, Little League, the American Heart and Cancer Associations the Chamber of Commerce, Northern Dutchess Hospital the Rhinebeck Rotary Club, and many other worthy organizations.
For the past 66 years, Williams has set an example for other businesses to follow about being a good corporate neighbor and we proudly recognize them for truly putting “Service Above Self”.
This event not only showed support for all of this year’s honorees, but also helped the Rhinebeck Rotary Club carry out its mission of providing funds to many worthwhile organizations and charities across our community. The Rhinebeck Rotary Club is a local chapter of an international organization comprised of business and professional leaders who work together to support a variety of humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs at the local, national and international level.
Pictured: Sandy Williams, Kim Williams and Dr. David Crenshaw
photo credit: www.sharpimagesphotographic.com
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