Awards presented at the Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner and Service of Gratitude Celebration.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Celebration and Service of Gratitude

The Branchburg Rotary Club in collaboration with the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition recently held its 18^th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner and Humanitarian Awards dinner to recognize members of the community for their dedication and contributions to serving others as well as a Service of gratitude to thank veterans’ organizations who helps local homeless veterans.

Check Presentation to Veterans Organizations

This year’s winners are John and Linda Shockley, 911 Septic owners and member of the Branchburg Rotary Club, and Jim McGrady, Executive Chef of the Somerville Elks.

John and Linda receiving The Senate Resolution from Sen. Bateman

The Schockley’s received the Humanitarian Award, which goes to community members that demonstrate a sincere and meaningful commitment to serving others in the course of their professional career.

Jim McGrady received the Community Service Award, for his service and dedication to our community organizations. He has been helping local nonprofit organizations for many years.

The award recognizes community members that strive to make a positive contribution toward quality of life. John and Linda supported the club’s many service projects to remember the less fortunate, especially during the holiday season and beyond.

Past District Governor Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan presented the award to the Schokley’s, who are involved in all aspects of supporting local nonprofit organizations as well as helping veterans organizations.

The Branchburg Rotary club distributed checks worth $76,500 to four Veterans organizations, who have been helping those veterans who need help from housing to other services.

Also US Presidential Volunteer Service Awards and medals were presented to 10 Rotaract students who have dedicated more than 1500 hours of community service at this event.

At this special event Past District Governor Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan was given the Exemplary Humanitarian Service award for his 30 years of service to the community here and communities around the world. The award recognizes community members who strive to make a positive contribution toward quality of life. Dr. Maharjan has supported the club’s international service projects with Rotary Foundation grants worth more than $2 million for projects in various countries as well as helping other organizations to raise funds for their projects.

The Branchburg Rotary and the Somerset County Diversity Coalition collaborated with the coalition to start the interfaith Thanksgiving Dinner after the 9/11. At this event Senator Bateman also presented the Senate and General Assembly joint resolution to the winners of the Awards.

Bob Bradley was honored as Paul Harris Fellow, representative of the Rotary Club designating $1,000 in his name to the Rotary Foundation. Bradley has been helping the Branchburg Rotary for the past 10 years in many of their activities to raise funds for various community organizations. This year Rotary Club of Branchburg raised more than $150,000 to help local and international projects as well as support Rotaract and Interact clubs projects.