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As has been traditional for the past 96 years, Bristol Rotary passes the responsibility for running the Club to another member, an experienced Rotarian, to assume the responsibility to lead the Club for the next fiscal year. The Rotary motto of “Service above Self’ is exemplified by the new presidents taking time from their “day job,” to lead (in Bristol Rotary’s case) 60 people to the contribute their time and funds to supporting the community.
At the lunch meeting on June 18, Mary Jo Fidalgo Tavares finished her year as president (July 2024 to June 2025), with a record year of giving, over $108,000 to over 30 local and international charities. Bruce Cox, the in-coming president, has been 36 years with Rotary, and was one of the founders of the Charities Foundation which is Bristol Rotary’s tax-deductible public charity (501c3), and its president for the past 11 years. He comes to the president’s role with a wealth of experience in charitable giving and raising funds for the Foundation with the entreaty of “Help us help Others.”
At the meeting on June 18th, not only was the torch passed from Mary Jo to Bruce (see above) but also several awards were given, and the Board members and Club Officers were sworn in. In the second row of pictures, Ken and Mary Watkinson each received a Paul Harris Fellow Award which is named after Rotary’s Founder. The Paul Harris Award in Rotary is given for outstanding contributions to the charitable mission of Bristol Rotary. In the case of Ken and Mary, they have tirelessly worked to collect and make food, clothing and hygiene bags available for the homeless, and for school programs that assist needy students. In addition, with Rotary’s assistance they have raised funds, donated medical equipment, clothing, blankets and other life supporting goods to church groups that are helping orphanages and schools in Haiti and Ukraine. Recently, they solicited an ambulance to be sent to Ukraine to help with their medical needs.
Next to them, is Jessica Williams also receiving a Paul Harris Award. Although not a member of Rotary, she has been the lead School-based Community Health Worker in Bristol’s Health Equity Zone. She supervises two community Health Rooms at Kickamuit and Mt. Hope High School that have been set aside for her services. These services are available to students or adults who have financial needs, psychological problems or home issues. They are also provided lunches, clothing, food for those with food insecurities at home, health products, and much more. The number of students served in the last year was over 3,000. With Budget cuts this year, Bristol Rotary will continue to help this desperately needed activity.
Maria Cesario, Treasurer of the Charities Foundation was awarded "Rotarian of the Year" for her outstanding financial management of all fundraisers, donations, board updates and May Giving. She’s the engine behind our charitable activities.
And finally, the Board Directors and Officers for 2025/2026 being sworn in below by Paul LaFleur, the Assistant District Governor, are: Mary Almeida, Mary Moreira, Doug Gablinske, Johnathan Birs, Ken Watkinson, Paul LaFleur, Cid Rodrigues (Treasurer of the Club), Angela Cabral (Secretary), Mary Jo Tavares (Past President), Bruce Cox (President), Maria Cesario (Treasurer of the Charities Foundation), and Jacques de Labry (Vice President and President of the Charities Foundation). Not Shown is Cesar DaPonte.