The Brunswick Rotary Club is pleased to announce that the first recipient of the Walter H. “Doc” Phillips Award is Linda Blanton. Linda will be recognized on Thursday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m. in a brief ceremony at the Harpswell town office prior to a Selectman’s meeting. Space is limited so those interested in attending should contact the Brunswick Rotary Club via their facebook account.
On September 17, 2019, the Brunswick Rotary Club, Rotary International, and Harpswell lost a wonderful soul with the death of Walter “Doc” Phillips. Doc was a long time (40+ years) member of Rotary, a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a wonderful husband and father, and a true gentleman. His contributions to his various communities and to Rotary are virtually unequaled. In early 2020, the Brunswick Rotary Club created the Walter H. “Doc” Phillips Memorial Award.
This award will be presented annually. Those recognized will be commendable community members who have demonstrated dedicated involvement in a field that encompassed Doc’s interests, including land conservation, volunteerism, and service to others, education, water quality, science programs, etc. There is no restriction that the awardee must be a Rotarian.
The Brunswick Rotary Club is pleased to announce that the first recipient of the Walter H. “Doc” Phillips Award is Linda Blanton.
Linda was in the U.S. Army as a Nurse serving in the burn unit during Vietnam, was on active duty for 13 years, and then joined the 1125th Reserve Unit in Auburn. She was activated for the Gulf War in 1991.
Linda is a 50-year volunteer for the American Red Cross. She teaches CPR and first aid, babysitting, lifeguarding, and swimming courses. She also works as a disaster volunteer, serving on the local and national teams. She has helped with fires, hurricanes, and floods.
Linda’s involvement in the Harpswell community goes back many years. She has volunteered as a swim instructor for the Harpswell Community School and has been a water safety instructor for the school summer swim program. “We live near the water, so it’s very important that everyone knows how to swim.” She is not only a teacher but spends hours recruiting volunteers, organizing the schedule, and teaching others how to teach swimming. One of Linda’s favorite organizations is Harpswell Aging at Home. She is a member of the Food Committee and is one of the 200 volunteer cooks for Lunches with Friends. Linda is a member of the MINGO Club which supports the library hall. She is the auctioneer for the annual recycle auction.
Linda is a master gardener, and her gardens bring smiles to many. She volunteers as a Garden Angel, which helps the elderly when they can longer keep up with their gardens. She also volunteers her extensive skills at the Botanical Gardens in Boothbay and also works as a County Extension Officer.
Linda volunteers at the 7th Day Adventist clothing bank. Her organizational skills and resourcefulness has led to needed clothing being shipped all over the world. She contacts other non-profit organizations and if they have a need she loads her van and delivers the clothing.
Linda has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, serving on several committees and work projects.
Linda has been a foster parent, has hosted exchange students, and has opened her home to disaster victims. She also mentors troubled students in the Sweetser program, young people with difficult home situations. She has been dedicated to giving people a hand up by finding the resources they need to move ahead with their lives.
She is an avid reader and enjoys sharing her love as a reading mentor and a Community Read volunteer.
Linda knew Doc Phillips and has been involved with the Harpswell Heritage Land Trust by helping with trails and programs for children.
Linda epitomizes everything that the Walter H. “Doc” Phillips Award stands for; she is dedicated to her community, to education, and to the environment, and the Brunswick Rotary Club is honored to recognize her as the first recipient of this prestigious award.
Linda will be recognized on Thursday, June 25 at 4:30 p.m. in a brief ceremony at the Harpswell town office prior to a Selectman’s meeting. Space is limited so those interested in attending should contact the Brunswick Rotary Club via their facebook account.