The charter president of Bowen Island's Rotary Club was presented with one of Rotary's highest awards of distinction.
Piers Hayes was honoured last week for his many years of community service through Rotary both in South Africa and Canada at a reception and dinner held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club by Rotary International. Most recently, he co-founded the Bowen Island Rotary Club with Bawn Campbell.
Piers was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship award by District Governor Penny Offer and the Rotary Club of West Vancouver - Sunrise. It recognizes individuals committed to making a difference in the world. He joins an august group of recipients including Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Anann, Prince Charles, Indira Gandhi, King Hussein of Jordan and Pope John Paul II.
Piers was deeply honoured to receive the award and acknowledged the instrumental role played by both fellow Rotarians and community members in formally establishing the Rotary Club of Bowen Island.
Over the past several months this newly established club ran Operation Red Nose during the Christmas period, initialed a trial late-night bus service, contributed to Bowen youth projects and supported Rotary's International polio relief efforts.
It also raised over $15,000 for recent Japanese disaster relief efforts, providing interim housing for 150 individuals.
Rotary is a volunteer organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace.
