Club 21’s Award for Rotarian of the Year. It represents the long-time commitment and support of our Club and Rotary at large. It’s given to a member of our club who best epitomizes Service Above Self and whose life personifies the Four Way Test.
Rotary 21 is excited to announce Dr. Deborah Harper as the 2023 - 2024 Fred K. Jones awardee. This is Club 21’s Award for Rotarian of the Year.
Dr. Deb (as her fellow Rotarians lovingly call her) has been a dedicated member of Rotary Club 21 for over two decades. She is a servant leader whose quiet, steady presence has sent ripple effects through communities near and far.
Not one to shy away from the task at hand, Deb is the first to say, “Yes, I will help,” and the last one to go home when the work is done. She currently serves on seven different committees, and her seemingly endless energy continues to make a difference everywhere they go – right here in Spokane and across the globe. Whether it’s showing up at Stevens Elementary during COVID nearly every week for 10 months to help distribute over 350,000 lbs. of food to families in need, participating in “graffiti busting” work days, entertaining kids at vaccination clinics, sorting food for the Bite2Go program at Second Harvest, partnering with Rotary International and other clubs on water projects and education for girls in developing countries, she helps provide basic needs most of us take for granted. In doing so, she has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of people worldwide by gifting their time, talent, and treasure. Each step of the way, each project they touch, she quietly leaves a legacy for generations to come.
As if that weren’t enough, she was instrumental in establishing the Foster KidFest Committee which has resulted in 65 adoptions of children from foster care. That’s a rate of 51% and rising. The most recent Foster KidFest party hosted 11 children many of whom are in the early phases of connecting with their forever families.
A 6-time Paul Harris Fellow, she served as Club President from 2018-2019, is currently the Co-Chair of the Greeter’s Committee, and serves on the following committees: Disability Service, International Service, Youth Service, Program, Invocation, and Music!
Congratulations Dr. Deb Harper! Thank you for all you do to make our community and world a better place!