Often considered the highest honor a club can annually present a member, Frank McMeen has been named the Rotarian of the Year.

Russ McKelvey, Jackson Rotary Club president, presented Frank, a former president and board member, with the award at First United Methodist Church.

“What a tremendous honor to be given this award,” said Frank, who also serves as president of The Foundation, “I’ve been a member of the club for more than two decades.

“I am so honored.”

The Jackson Rotary Club is Jackson’s oldest and largest civic club.

During the 100th birthday celebration, the president of Rotary International visited Jackson to recognize this achievement.

Rotary International was founded in Chicago in 1905.

The club in Jackson began 11 years later (1916) and became the organization that provided street lights in Downtown Jackson.

It was during the 100 year celebration that the club decided to return to its beginning and now meets in Downtown Jackson.

“Each year all three Rotary Clubs join together to put new socks and shoes on every elementary school child’s feet,” Frank said, “Rotarians go to each elementary school in the county, spend time with each child, wash their feet, put on new socks and let them pick out a pair of shoes and send them on their way back to class in their new shoes.

“The time spent with the children helps one realize that no matter their income or level of poverty, every child is the same. They want to run, play, laugh and sing. You see their personalities and hopefully the children see that adults they have never met – care about them.”

Frank said the Jackson Rotary Club hosts students (Junior Rotarians) each month from all Madison County public and private schools.

From each school’s Junior Rotarians one student from each of those schools is presented with a $2,000 scholarship.

From the entire pool of Junior Rotarians, one student is awarded the Tom Aud Scholarship ($2,000) and is chosen based on how they have been perceived in living the Rotarian motto, “Service Above Self.”

(PHOTO: Frank McMeen, left, and Russ McKelvey)