Mary Sue Foster of Hannawa Falls was recently recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Potsdam at its annual meeting. She was honored for her demonstrated commitment to the goals and purposes of Rotary and "in appreciation of her tangible assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world."
Foster is the owner of Harris Medical Supplies & Equipment and All About Me Post Mastectomy Boutique in Potsdam. She is also a part-time LPN/Patient Advocate at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. She joined Rotary in 1997 and has served on the board of directors since 1998. In her 25-plus years as a member, she served three terms as president of the club and was the founder and longtime advisor of the A.A. Kingston Middle School InterAct Club.
Foster initiated the Wheelchair Foundation project for Potsdam Rotary several years ago and the club has provided more than 125 wheelchairs around the world.
She has chaired or co-chaired many projects during her time as a Potsdam Rotarian, including benches in Ives Park, books for the Potsdam Holiday Fund, clothing vouchers for students, calculators and backpacks for students, bottled water project, new member induction, scholarship gala, supplies for Renewal House and P2 Program, and anniversary and changeover celebrations. Most recently, she organized a vendor fair to raise funds for Fright Night books. Additionally, she heads the Steps for Polio fundraiser and serves as a judge for the Four-Way Test Essay Contest.
She resides in Hannawa Falls with her husband, Chuck, and fur baby, Max. This is her third Paul Harris Fellow recognition by the club.
One-thousand dollars has been donated in Foster's name 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 her will be used for projects like saving the lives of children through immunization, bringing water to remote global villages, or establishing hospitals in underdeveloped countries.
The Potsdam Rotary Club meets each Wednesday at noon at the Potsdam Town Hall community room in Potsdam and online. Guests are welcome.
Left to right: 2024-25 President Sunday Smith, Rotarian Duane Pelkey, Foster, and 2024-25 District Governor Teresa Whitmore.