PORT TOWNSEND — Five humble heroes were recognized for their good deeds and community service on Tuesday — even though most said they didn’t feel they deserved it.
Janet Emery, Robert Rosen, Larry Robinson, Dr. James Rotchford and Wayne Chimenti were presented with the 2009 Jefferson County Heart of Service Award at a luncheon attended by about 125 people at Fort Worden State Park on Tuesday.
The Heart of Service award honors the “unselfish dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments” of community leaders and volunteers “who have made a difference in Jefferson County, who have made our communities a better place by doing extraordinary things for their neighbors, their community or the environment.”
This is the fourth year for this annual award, sponsored by the Peninsula Daily News, Rotary Club of Port Townsend (noon club), Port Townsend Sunrise Rotary Club and the East Jefferson Rotary Club.
Nominations for the Heart of Service are solicited each spring from individuals, clubs, schools, churches and other organizations throughout Port Townsend and Jefferson County.
Steven Rafoth, 2006 president of the noon Rotary Club and one of the founders of the awards program, described the five’s acceptance speeches accurately before presenting one of the awards to Rotchford.
‘How humility works’
“They all act like they don’t want anything to do with this,” Rafoth said. “That’s just how humility works.”
Rafoth, president and CEO of Enclume Design Products in Port Hadlock, designed heart-shaped medals that are presented to Heart of Service recipients.
John Brewer, PDN publisher and editor, told the audience that “if you need proof in a world that’s out of balance that life is meaningful and that you can make a difference, then study our five honorees.
“These are truly local heroes, working to make community life stronger, tighter, happier, richer . . . [they] are inspirational in both spirit and deed, heroic in the most untrivialized sense of the word.
“These five are role models for all of us, not only because they’ve aspired and dreamed but because our local heroes’ achievements are within our own reach.”
Janet Emery
Emery is the volunteer manager of the Marvin G. Shields American Legion Post in Port Townsend, the driving force behind Port Townsend’s annual Kinetic Sculpture Race, head of the seasonal Haunted House for children and a volunteer who helps oversee the Jefferson County Winter Shelter for the homeless and the JC MASH free medical clinic.
“I am extremely speechless,” Emery said. “Most of you who know me know that’s hard to do.”
Emery said she gives her time because she believes that such efforts shape the community.
“I believe in my heart of hearts that random acts of kindness is what makes this community what it is,” she said.
“I do this because it needs to get done.”
Robert Rosen
Rosen is the manager of the Quilcene Community Center, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a mentor for youth.
Rosen and his wife, Pen, also have devoted 15 years of their lives to construction of community water purification projects in Thailand.
Rosen said he left three men, all in their 70s, down in Quilcene working with concrete on one of the community center’s projects, to come to the luncheon.
“While I’m here having nice things said about me, they are down there working,” Rosen said.
“Who is the hero here?”
Rosen said he owed his award to the organizations he is involved with and the people who volunteer with him.
‘This award, I’m going to tear it up in 12,000 pieces and give it out to all the people who really deserve it.”
Larry Robinson
Robinson serves as a volunteer firefighter for District 2, chairman of the Jefferson County Parks and Recreation District 1, manager of its Laurel B. Johnson Toandos Community Center Community Center and — with his wife, Pat — a leader of the Quilcene-area food bank.
Robinson made his acceptance speech brief and to the point.
“I thank everybody,” he said. “I really don’t have much to say. This really does make you speechless.
“I do want to thank my wife, Pat, for putting up with me not being around too much.
“Everybody, thanks again.”
James K. Rotchford, M.D.
Rotchford is the medical director and one of two physicians who treat patients at the JC MASH free medical clinic.
It is open every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or until every person has been seen by a doctor.
Rotchford choked up at the podium and apologized in advance for too great a show of emotion.
“It’s just my nature when I talk about gratitude,” Rotchford said.
“Gratitude is a strong feeling in me, and there is a lot of gratitude I have for people who do this.”
Rotchford said he was grateful for having the opportunity to give back in such a way to his community.
“You start to see that this really is a community thing,” he said.
“For all those people who make it possible for me to be in service, I give thanks.”
Wayne Chimenti
Chimenti is a licensed master mariner and skipper of tall ships who teaches young men and women about the sea.
He also leads the Port Townsend Community Boat Project in which Chimacum and Port Townsend high school students are building a 24-foot vessel.
He has been a mentor for the Puget Sound Explorers for the past six years and worked with high schools on traditional long boats.
For 13 years, he has worked with the educational schooner Adventuress in Puget Sound.
Chimenti was ill and unable to leave home to attend the banquet.
His daughter, Nahja Chimenti, delivered a prepared statement from him.
“I can’t believe I’m getting this award for doing something I love to do,” Chimenti said in the statement.
“To be of service pays richly in karmic coin and social capital.
“That is true wealth and happiness, and those riches don’t disappear with a downturn in the economy.”
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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.
