The North Branford Rotary is thrilled to announce the recipients of their annual "Service Above Self" Community Service Award to three deserving North Branford residents.

In February of this year, the club reached out to the community for nominations for their annual Service Above Self Award and received a terrific response.

"We asked the North Branford community to nominate distinguished individuals who have made an impact through service and helping others in town. The response was incredible, and we couldn't be more grateful," said North Branford Rotary Club President, Melinda Fonda.

Fonda graciously acknowledged the North Branford community and added, "We couldn't think of a better way to say thank you to distinguished individuals right here in town than to recognize them with an award that symbolizes dedication, compassion and generosity."

The Club recently announced this year's award will be presented to Ken Ash, Fran Murphy, and Mary Giovanni. Here's a bit about each of them.

Ken Ash is a distinguished individual who has been described as someone who will stop what he's doing to help anyone, or any animal, based numerous testimonies of service to individuals and animals throughout his lifetime. Ash has served as an active firefighter EMS for several years and is a Public Works employee. Ash is known around town for his countless hours helping to set up and participate at events such as Story Walk at North Farms, haunted trails, and PoCo. During the peak of Covid-19 Ash organized a food share program that distributed several boxes of foods to families in need. Someone you'll see helping run a blood drive, set up a fundraiser, collecting donations or supporting the local food bank, Ash is a genuinely kind person with a commitment to community. The North Branford Rotary is honored to award him with Service Above Self!

Fran Murphy is an individual known in the community for being devoted to helping and putting the needs of others in her community ahead of her own. She's known as the person who will go out of her way to put a smile on faces as part of her commitment to the North Branford Food Pantry. Murphy has been a longstanding advocate of the food pantry and has been instrumental expanding the outreach of the North Branford Food Pantry. Through her own personal challenges, she continues to prioritize her longstanding commitment to the Food Bank and has exemplified the meaning behind Service Above Self. The North Branford Rotary is looking forward to honoring Murphy for her dedication to her community!

Mary Giovanni is a passionate and generous individual with a community-centric mindset. She is known to motivate and empower residents to improve the wellbeing of our community. She's co-founded the Northford/North Branford How to be Grateful Community Facebook page where she promotes a positive mindset despite many of the ongoing challenges faced in this world. The page has also become a place to promote community events. Giovanni is actively involved with her children's PTOs and is always stepping up to help organize fundraising and volunteer activities. Giovanni is also co-chair of PoCo, where she's volunteered several hours to make the event an ongoing success. Giovanni was recognized as Person of the Week in 2021 for all the dedication she provides to the town. The North Branford Rotary Club is eager to award Giovanni for her distinguished service!

The North Branford Rotary Club will be awarding the recipients on Thursday June 23, 2022 at 6 p.m., at the Millpond Gathering in Northford. Tickets can be purchased in advance by going to http://www.northbranfordrotary.org/ or by contacting Rotary Club President Melinda Fonda at NorthBranfordRotary@gmail.com / 203-988-0883. We encourage those who know Ken Ash, Fran Murphy and Mary Giovanni to join us as we acknowledge them for their distinguished service to the Town of North Branford.

Committee Chair, Alex Casella, expressed his appreciation to those who sent in nominations.

"It's been a very rewarding experience for the members of the committee, and the club, to receive a fantastic response from the North Branford Community and I'd like to thank those who found the time to submit nominations," said Casella.

Cassella and Fonda were both impressed by the number of nominations that came in this year, which exceeded their expectations. The club is looking forward to continuing to honor distinguished members of the community each year.