The Winston County Journal

When John Fair recites the Rotary motto "Service Above Self" at the end of each Rotary meeting, it is not an empty phrase to him and his actions cement that fact.

Fair recently earned the Rotary International Service Above Self Award at the District Convention for his efforts to help the many people who suffered in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

"I'm very humbled by it and surprised," said Fair about his receiving the prestigious award. "There were so many individuals involved in the efforts who were much more worthy."

The award is presented to an individual Rotarian who renders exemplary humanitarian service to others embodying the Service Above Self motto of the group according to the Rotary website.

"That is exactly what John Fair did after Katrina," stated Stewart Vance, Past District Governor, who presented the award to Fair. "The days and nights, the hours and weeks, he spent responding to the needs of people are almost immeasurable."

Fair helped arrange over $500,000 in monetary support for those who lives were harmed by the hurricane. Fair also made sure food supplies, volunteers and other materials reached those in need.

"There were so many offers from across the country and around the world from Rotarians," said Fair describing his efforts to help organize and establish communications among those who were offering help to those who needed it.

While Fair continues to help route funds and materials to those in need on the coast, he along with other Rotarians are looking to possible future disasters.

"We need to look to the future and know how to better tackle such challenges," said Fair noting that Rotary recently held a disaster relief seminar so that Rotarians could come together more quickly to serve their communities and neighboring communities even across continents.

Of the 1.3 million Rotarians only 150 are recognized annual with the RI Service Above Self Award each year, which is Rotary's highest honor. Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary is comprised of more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.