Malden Rotary to honor Marathon Survivor & Husband, Long-Time Babe Ruth Manager, and Local Public Safety Heroes

 
The Malden Rotary Club is hosting a “Service Above Self” Dinner on January 7, 2015. The Club will be honoring Community and Public Service Awardees from the Police, Fire, Emergency Service, Cataldo Ambulance, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and Community Sectors. The Event will be held at Anthony's of Malden on 105 Canal Street and begins at 5:30 PM with cocktails and at 6:00 PM for dinner. Tickets are $50.00 each.

This Year’s Dinner will high-light two (2) recipients who extend far beyond our local Public Safety impact because their selection speaks directly to what we as Rotarians do in the world and why we are involved. This selection by Sheriff Peter Koutoujian speaks directly to our Motto of “Service Above Self”.

 
 
 
 

Sheriff Koutoujian has nominated a Deputy and his wife. The Officer is Kevin McWatters and his wife Karen Rand McWatters of Somerville.
One may ask, why these recipients and how does this apply to Malden? It is the big picture of Rotary International that is being highlighted here. There is a story of tragedy, survival, recovery, love, gratitude, and giving. Karen lost a leg at the Marathon Finish Line while waiting for Kevin to complete the Race.

Karen and Kevin’s subsequent acts of heroism and commitment to public safety truly drive home the worthy Rotary Nomination. Karen and Kevin learned about Estefania Salinas, from El Salvador, who had lost a leg after she was hit by an out of control drag racer. “She suffered traumatic injuries to both of her legs, acid burns all over her body on her face,” Rand said. “She was taken immediately to the hospital where the hospitals there are different. You have to pay. There’s no insurance. You pay for your care.”

The two made it their mission to bring the girl to Boston. She’s now at Shriner’s Hospital, walking with a donated prosthetic and will undergo surgery on her other leg, also damaged in the crash, later this month. “Shriners Hospital has agreed to work with NextStep (Next Step Bionics & Prosthetics) to get her what she needed and NextStep is doing all of her prosthetic care for free and Shiners is actually doing her physical therapy with her prosthetic and any surgeries she’ll need,” Rand said. “It took a lot of people to make sure this could happen.”

Long-time Babe Ruth Manager and League Official Bob Rotondi will be honored with the "Samuel G. Sam Cherone Community Service Award." Mr. Rotondi’s commitment to Malden goes far deeper than the Babe Ruth Program that he has been involved with for more than 50 years. He has dedicated his life to ensuring the youth of Malden have opportunities to succeed and has been a great mentor for many generations and beyond.

Christopher Acres of the Malden Emergency Management Center has submitted the nomination of Volunteer William McIntyre.

Malden Fire Chief Jack Colangeli has nominated Deputy Chief Phil Cargill to receive the "James W. Quinn Memorial Firefighters Award."

Malden Chief of Police Kevin Molis has nominated Detective JP Kelly for the "Allan 'Aldo' Ray Memorial Service Above Self Award."

Please go to www.maldenrotary.org for further details or please contact Past President David Hart at 781-718-7799 or at djhartd@verizon.net.