Loucks and Mason Recognized As Paul Harris Fellows

Posted by Michael Griffin 
 
Derry Loucks and Jim Mason of Potsdam were recognized June 25 as Paul Harris Fellows by the Rotary Club of Potsdam. Loucks is assistant manager of WPDM-WSNN Radio in Potsdam and Mason is Potsdam Town Justice and a BOCES criminal justice teacher.
 
"The Paul Harris award is the highest honor we bestow," said outgoing Potsdam Rotary Club President Laura Cordts. "We award it only to those who truly go above and beyond in living up to our Rotary Motto of 'Service Above Self.'"

Loucks and Mason were honored for their demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of Rotary and "in appreciation of his tangible assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world." They each received a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a medallion.

One-thousand dollars has also been donated in each of their names to the Rotary Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs.

The contribution honoring the new Paul Harris Fellows will be used for projects like saving the lives of children through immunization, bringing water to remote global villages, or the establishment of hospitals in under-developed countries.

Loucks was recognized primarily for his work as founder and organizer of the annual Hobble Gobble prediction run/walk, which has raised more than $50,000 for the Potsdam Holiday Fund and many other local charities in the past 10 years.

Mason was honored for almost 30 years of community service, especially for his work as the Potsdam Police DARE and juvenile officer, his years of service as a volunteer firefighter, his service to the board of education and his support of youth sports.

Photo caption: Jim Mason (second from left) and Derry Loucks (center) are presented with Paul Harris Fellow recognition by incoming Potsdam Rotary Club President Duane Pelkey (left), outgoing President Laura Cordts (second from right), and incoming District Governor Peter Basham.