Rotary Club of Carroll Creek Awards Community Members with Highest Honor

FREDERICK, Md., May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, May 21, the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek bestowed Paul Harris Community Awards on five Frederick community members. This year's recipients were Tony Peterson, Erin Gambrill, Sara Laird, Howard Cary, and Lynn Cary.

The Paul Harris award is the Rotary Club's highest honor, given only to members of the community who truly exemplify leadership through service. Candidates for this award will have demonstrated their goodwill through genuine deeds and actions by going above and beyond the call of duty. In most cases, they want no recognition, are not self-serving; and indeed, are truly unsung heroes.

Tony Peterson spends his time with Living Waters Shower Ministry. As part of his recovery from drug addiction and homelessness, he received assistance from the Frederick Rescue Mission. Once he got back on his feet, he met a man who confided to Tony that he had not taken a shower in over 16 months. Tony pursued a solution, eventually building a flatbed truck that provided 6 individual private showers. Working with churches and other local community groups, since rolling out this service, Tony has provided over 1000 showers to needy recipients.

Sara Laird's husband, Battalion Chief Laird, was killed on August 11, 2021 while fighting a fire. The fire was determined to be lightning-induced failure of the residential CSST, used in the home's propane delivery system. Sara wanted to ensure that this tragedy would not be repeated in other homes. She has successfully worked with Maryland state government to pass a law that bans the use of this 1st generation piping.

Howard and Lynn Carey are active members of FCF Church in Frederick. They have volunteered their time and talents with the Frederick Rescue Mission for many years, assisting their residents in finding a path towards a better life. They embody the motto of the Mission..."changing lives now and for eternity".

Erin Gambrill is a proud member of the Frederick County Public Library system. Erin is so much more than a librarian; She is a community connector, using our library system to provide continuous education and lifelong learning opportunities to all members of our community. Erin is a recent graduate of Leadership Frederick County and is constantly volunteering to help the Frederick community.

This year's recipients have gone above and beyond to improve the community.

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SOURCE Rotary Club of Carroll Creek