The ‘Service Above Self’ Award was created in 1964 to recognize community individuals or organizations for their unwavering and dedicated service to the community.

2008 S.A.S. Recipient

 

 

Individual Award to - Lon Vredeveld; Lon is married for 33 years to Kris with three children, Jill, Shawn and Eric as well as a granddaughter, Emma Grace. Vredeveld's Shoe Store has been in business for 99 years! Lon is the forth generation.

After college, Lon taught for 2 years at Grand Rapids Christian High School and 3 years at Calvin College. He moved back to Fremont in 1980 when his Dad's partner retired.

Lon has been a deacon, elder and youth leader at Trinity Christian Reformed Church. He has served on the Fremont Christian School Board, the Chamber of Commerce Board as board member and president. Lon also served on the Foundation board and served several years as a board president. Currently he serves as chairman of the downtown development authority and serves on the planning commission.

I know Lon is a humble man. He deeply cares about the Fremont community, young people, his family and his faith and that is why he serves on these committees. He would encourage people in Fremont to be involved in the community to make it a great place for families and businesses.

 

Organization-GMHS Ned Hughes
and Sandy Siegel

Gerber Memorial Health Services (GMHS) has been a medical pillar of Newaygo County since 1918, established with a donation of a house by the Gerber Family to "relieve pain and suffering". For almost 90 years, Gerber Memorial has served our county's residents and visitors long and well in the honorable tradition of providing competent, compassionate, community healthcare.

As the third largest employer in Newaygo County, Gerber Memorial Health Services employs 580 people. Each health care job contributes about $55,000 to the local economy or 32 million a year. With it's 83 bed not-for-profit hospital and its 14 member Board of Directors consisting of community leaders, business people, volunteers and physicians they will continue to provide their commitment to the community as the best health care and a good neighbor.


 

2007 S.A.S. Recipient
Jeannie K. Caris

Jeannie K. Caris (center) was presented with the 2007 Service Above Self (SAS) Award recently at a Fremont Rotary Club's regular Tuesday meeting in June by SAS Committee Chairman Dave White and Club President Sandy Siegel. 

The entire community recognizes Jeannie as a person who gets things done and is totally devoted to the many tasks she takes under her wing.  She has held positions as a rep of Dayton Twp, the Fremont Area District Library board and trustee of Gerber Memorial Hospital.  She has participated in many committees at the First Congregational Church, including spearheading an addition to the structure to make the facility more accessible to older members and those with disabilities. 
Most recently, Jeannie turned her "can do" vision to the physical health and welfare of Newaygo County.  She approached the Fremont City Council and Sheridan & Dayton Twp Boards with an ambitious proposal to construct a non-motorized pathway.  Her charming, persuasive demeanor helped convince audiences that she was on the right "path", and her vision is now a reality with two sections finished and construction of the 3rd section of the Town & Country Path already underway. 
Jeannie, devoted mother to her adult sons and wife of  local attorney Ted Caris, is most deserving of this prestigious award and it is with great honor that we recognize her many selfless contributions. 

 

2006 S.A.S. Recipient
Roger Marshall

 

Roger Marshall (left), Fremont’s own “Mr. Music,” was recently presented with the Fremont Rotary Club’s “Service Above Self” (SAS) award at their regular Tuesday noon meeting.  Marshall, who voluntarily attends nearly every meeting as the Club’s pianist, was surprised to find his engraved name after SAS Committee Chairman Dave White asked him to remove the tape from the plaque to reveal this year’s recipient. 

   David White, the SAS Committee Chairman, spoke of Roger’s many years of volunteer service to the community through his musical talent.  Roger earned a Bachelors degree in Music from Northwestern University (IL) and went on to earn a Masters degree in Education from the University of IL.  He taught for 20 years in Evanston, IL and later teaching and setting up the music program at the University Lake Prep School in Harland, WI.  He auditioned and sang with the Pennsylvanians for several years.  Roger played for the Christian Science Church for 27 years and has been involved in virtually every aspect of the Fremont music community.  “His nomination and selection as the award recipient was an easy one,” said Dave White, “for so many years he has blessed our community with his gift of music.”  

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...if YOU know of a person or organization our Club should consider for nomination...

Recommendations:
May be submitted by any Rotarian at any time of the year. Please submit to a member of the Service Above Self selection committee, or scroll down to fill in the interactive nomination form (sent directly to the Committee Chairman).

 Eligibility:
The award may be granted to any member/organization of the community who exemplifies the Rotary Motto, "Service Above Self". The emphasis is to be placed upon the quality of the service contribution and not the quantity or a ‘laundry list’ of involvements. The recipient is one who seeks out service opportunities for service sake, displays high ethical standards, applies the ideal of service to all in which he/she is involved, and strives to achieve understanding and goodwill through his/her actions.

 Frequency:
Once per year in the Spring

Submission Options:
1.  Print this file and mail to:

       David White
       The White Agency
       52 W. Main Street
       Fremont, MI  49412

2.  Fill out this online form: