May 31, 2023
Story by C. Richard Campbell and Craig Hunter
The Greens at Renton
Harold Shantz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament
Craig Hunter, Chair of the Harold Shantz Memorial Rotary Golf Tournament Committee presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Craig Bartlett.
This is an edited account of his remarks.
The Paul Harris Fellowship is the highest award that can be given by a Rotary Club. It is given in the name of Paul P. Harris, the founder of Rotary in 1905, and represents a $1,000 (US) donation by our club to The Rotary Foundation, which does good work around the world. The recipient is chosen as one who upholds the tenets of Rotary, and who has made a significant contribution to the local community and/or around the world.
The annual Rotary Club of Simcoe Harold Shantz Memorial Charity Golf Tournament has many sponsors. Over the years we have raised close to ½ Million dollars from this event. This allows the club to do what it does locally and internationally.
Part of the funds raised from our tournament is from the golfers themselves through contests, draws, silent auctions, and their registration fees. The biggest part comes from donations and sponsorships that are acknowledged on the signs around the course and this room and on the pages on each table. Sponsors are mainly local businesses and individuals. Some donations are from further afield. We deeply appreciate their contributions to making this event so successful.
One of our sponsors is also active in sponsoring other charitable endeavours such as for his local hospital, fair-board, the MS Society, and others. He has also been very active in voluntary efforts in support of his business industry at the provincial and national levels. In addition, he provides employment to a significant and outstanding group of employees and dedicated dealers across Canada. These days I think counts for a lot! He would make a great Rotarian!
For the past several years, he has personally supported this tournament, and as a result, the local and international community has been better served by our Rotary Club.
Rotary espouses the four-way test in what our members do and say as they conduct their business and personal affairs. We also recognize others who do so as well, and tonight on behalf of our club I present a Paul Harris Fellowship Award, our highest honour, to the leader who annually brings 3 teams here, and whose company has been such a strong supporter of our efforts. Tonight’s recipient is Craig Bartlett, President of NM Bartlett of Beamsville, Ontario.