Rotarian of the Year Reflects on Dedication

Most volunteers involved with charitable and humanitarian work tend to fly under the radar, but there comes a time when their peers say, “hold on, kudos where kudos are due.”

In this case, the peers are members of the Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club, and the person is George Abounader - the former Marco Island Charter Middle School principal, Marco “Citizen of the Year,” board member on multiple organizations, prolific Y supporter and city contributor on many levels including Parks & Recreation Committee, Teen Task Force and Blue-Ribbon Committee on Teens.

Recently, his Rotary club named him Rotarian of the Year (for the second time) for his “outstanding contribution to the club, and truly reflecting its Service Above Self mantra,” according to current club president Linda Sandlin.

“The past year was challenging for all organizations, but George said yes to everything that was asked of him by the club,” she said. “He is a wonderful, humble man.”

Sitting for an interview in an armchair in the bright, breezy, and eclectically decorated Marco home where he lives with wife (and YMCA of South Collier - Marco Y CEO) Cindy Abounader-Love, Abounader answered the first question with the words “that’s easy.”

The question was: “Why do you give up almost all your time volunteering.”

“I like volunteering,” Abounader said. “But I really didn’t expect this. I’m treasurer at the moment, so I guess I did a lot behind the scenes.”

“Nobody really sees a treasurer, but you have to be cautious on finances. You want to be a good steward of the money that people donate to our cause,” he said.

That money comes largely from fundraisers such as a golf tournament, the annual seafood festival, and manifests itself through about $30,000 that the club provides in scholarships to local college bound students; for student of the month functions, annual dictionary distributions and also international projects like helping poor countries dig water wells for the ultimate in human basic needs.

Other beneficiaries include the Shelter for Abused Women, the Meals of Hope initiative, and the Eyeglass Project for needy recipients in Mexico.

Abounader became interested in Rotary about the time he took over as MICMS principal in 1999.

“I saw good in Rotary, locally, nationally and internationally,” he said. “I liked that. I got more involved.

“And, if you get involved in Rotary, you’re going to do something,'' he added. “You’re going to be busy with projects all the time.

“I think Rotarians are all cut from the same cloth; they like to do things, and they’re somewhat compassionate. When you’re surrounded by good people, good things happen. It’s not self-serving - you see the impact of hard work. It makes you feel good.”

For more information on the Marco Island Noontime Rotary Club, contact Linda Sandlin at linda@marcorealtysource.com or call 239-777-9200.