Rich Caldwell, surrounded by family and friends, holds the 2023/2024 Martha Jo Leonard Service Above Self Award.

Putting “service above self” is something many people — and especially Rotarians — strive to do. During the 2023/2024 Rotary Awards Day Ceremony, one Athens Rotary Club member was honored for doing that just a bit better than anyone else. Rich Caldwell was presented with the Martha Jo Leonard Service Above Self Award during the event.

The award — in memory of Leonard — was established June 29, 2018 and is, “Given to the one deemed worthy, in memory of our fellow Rotarian whose contributions of time and talent forever enrich the lives of those she touched.”

Caldwell served as Service Project chair for several years, organizing and planning hundreds of hours of volunteer work in Athens and Limestone County.

As an added surprise, a few others took a page from Caldwell’s example. His family unexpectedly attended the ceremony to celebrate with him.