The Rotary Club of Hinsdale has named Hinsdale resident Gregory Donnelly Rotarian of the Year for 2009.
Donnelly, a past club president (2006-07), and member since 2001 was chosen for his untiring support and volunteerism, according to President Roger Herring.
Greg exemplifies the spirit of Rotary through his leadership, dedication to community and support for humanitarian causes around the globe. As a member of our Board of Directors for the past seven years, he has guided the path of the club as we have extended our outreach into the schools and community, said Herring.
Donnelly has gained local fame as the voice of the Rotary Run for Wellness, an annual fundraising walk/run that benefits the clubs youth programs and Wellness House initiatives. Rain or shine, he dominates the platform, urging 2,500 participants with humor and enthusiasm to give their personal best. The event raised $250,000 in 2008 and earned the Rotary International Significant Achievement Award.
Hinsdale Fourth of July parade-goers for the past three years have been able to compete in the Rotary-sponsored turtle race event, spearheaded by Donnelly in 2007. About 10 Rotarians don black and white striped referee shirts and coordinate the turtles progress. Never one to rest on laurels, Donnelly introduced an artificial turf racetrack this year to enhance competition and add to the fun for 200 children who participated.
Donnellys Rotary resume includes membership on the scholarship review committee, the past presidents committee and the 50th anniversary celebration committee. His name also appears on the Winners Circle of major donors to the Rotary Run for Wellness, and he is a Paul Harris Fellow and annual donor, which reflects financial commitment to the Rotary International Foundation. He was previously named Rotarian of the Year in 2004.
What I love about Rotary is whats waiting around the next corner. We keep the fun in fundraising and enjoy a variety of events to help the community, from selling hot dogs and lemonade at fine arts fairs to directing traffic at a Fourth of July parade. Ive made great friends through this family-focused club, Donnelly said.
This year, Rotary Club of Hinsdale will celebrate 50 years of service with the installation of a clock in downtown Hinsdale on August 20. Mr. Donnelly helped raise $35,000 for the clock through the sale of engraved brick pavers.
Greg Donnelly and his wife Susanna have two children, Cameron a senior at Hinsdale Central and Julia, a seventh-grader at Clarendon Hills Middle School. Greg is a senior vice president and wealth advisor with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney in Oak Brook. His employer recently nominated Donnelly to be considered for an award as Volunteer of the Year by Investment News Magazine.
