29 Sep 2024 Rotary presents Service Above Self awards

Posted at 5:38 PMh in News by

The Rotary Club of Conway presented Service Above Self awards to a local firefighter and two law enforcement officers on Sept. 12 at their weekly meeting. This is the 13th year that the club has hosted the ceremony during the month of September.

Lt. Landon Rappold received the award for Sargent Zachary Cooley (from left), Fire Chief Mike Winter, Captain Stewart Wilcox, Officer Joey Balentine and Police Chief Chris Harris.

In 2011, Rotarian Pat Freeman suggested the creation of the awards as a way to recognize and honor the commitment and sacrifice of local firefighters and law enforcement officials, according to Sarah Shaw, president of Conway Noon Rotary Club. The awards are presented in September on or around the anniversary of September 11th in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the 2,977 people who died that day, including 411 first responders. 

“The Service Above Self Awards are bestowed on those individuals from the Conway Fire Department, Conway Police Department and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office who go the extra mile in exemplifying the Rotary motto ‘Service Above Self,’” Shaw said. Recipients are nominated by their peers and commanders.

The 2024 recipients are Conway Fire Department Captain Stewart Wilcox, Conway Police Department Officer Joey Balentine and Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department Officer Zachary Cooley.

Since 1921, the Rotary Club of Conway has been inspiring and unifying community leaders through a legacy of service above self. The mission of the Rotary Club of Conway is to enrich lives locally and internationally through service, education, networking and leadership. Club members meet each Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at Hole in the Wall Cafe.

If someone is interested in learning more about becoming a Rotarian, call Shaw at 501.514.4569.