Pickens Mayor David Owens presents the We Fan The Flame award to Doc Giddings, Pickens Rotary President, and other members of the local chapter.

PICKENS — “Service Above Self” is the Rotary International motto, and the Pickens chapter certainly lives those words. In recognition of the many things the organization does locally, nationally and internationally, the club recently received the We Fan the Flame Award.

Pickens Rotary is a service organization that is part of a global network of more than 32,000 clubs. It is made up of business, professional and community leaders — volunteers that provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards and help build goodwill in the world. Illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water and environmental concerns are just a few of the challenges Rotary seeks to address.

Numerous fundraisers such as selling Azalea Festival T-shirts and Christmas wreaths, the annual Pickens county map project, and its biggest event, an annual spaghetti dinner, raise thousands of dollars each year for charities such as “Feed A Hungry Child.” Each year it gives dictionaries to all local third graders. Rotary members have a Meals On Wheels route and recently, with a grant, worked to improved landscaping on Highway 8. Internationally, the Pickens chapter, in the past year, has helped build water lines in El Salvador and currently is sending laptop computers to children in Afghanistan.

The inaugural Ride to the Rock is a new fundraising event presented by the club. On Sept. 28, all cyclists can take part a riding adventure to Table Rock mountain. Starting in Pickens, the event will offer 40, 60 and 100K rides for a nominal entry fee. All entrants will receive a post-ride meal and pre-registrants will also be given an special event t-shirt. Additional information is available on www.pickensrotary.org. To register, visit Go-greenevents.com.

We Fan The Flame recognizes group contributions that make Pickens a better place to live. It is presented by the Pickens Revitalization Association and the city of Pickens. The award program is open to any civic, school, charitable, religious, cultural, non-profit, business, senior youth, association or similar organization. Entries should be submitted to the PRA by the 15th of each month and will be considered throughout the year. Entry forms are available at www.historicpickens.com.