Sertoma’s Service to Mankind Award has long been an excellent way for clubs to recognize exemplary volunteerism in local communities while also gaining valuable exposure for the club. Most clubs opt to select a single winner each year, whether chosen by a special committee, the entire club or even, on occasion, through a community vote. But one club has taken a unique approach, recognizing 10 examples of service through an award program that generates significant local attention.
The Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka named 10 award recipients this past spring, representing the very best in volunteerism, stewardship and youth services that the club’s Florida community has to offer. The honorees were celebrated during a special community dinner in late April at the Fran Carlton Center. One honoree was ultimately selected for consideration for the 2027 Southeastern Region Service to Mankind Award, which will be announced early next year at Southeastern Regional Convention event(s), and received a $250 donation for their favorite charity.
Honorees included:
Suzanne Archer, 4-H and FFA
Renee Beasley, Open Heart Farms
Ella Duke, Propagate Social House
Kathryn Duncan, Apopka Parks and Recreation
Pamela Groseclose, Apopka Art and Foliage Festival, Apopka Woman’s Club, and Neighborhood Restorative Justice
Debbi and Hal Krise, Loaves & Fishes
James Maltby, Blue Darter Spring Sports Sponsor
Latonya McCoy, AdventHealth Apopka
David L. Rollins, Educator/Coach and Youth Business Mentor
Rita Tybor, Apopka Woman’s Club
Beverly Winesburgh, club secretary/treasurer, explained that the Service to Mankind Awards are a very big deal for their community. She shared that the club partners with its local newspaper, The Apopka Chief, through a co-sponsorship agreement that includes running advertisements early in the year. The club accepts nominations from the public, and a small group of members works to narrow the nominees down to the best of the best. A separate group of Sertomans then serves anonymously on a voting committee to rank the top three candidates. One “overall” honoree is selected to move forward for Southeastern Region consideration. That individual also rides in the city’s annual Christmas parade, receives recognition at a community concert, and is featured in the newspaper.
“The last five winners joined our club and have been fabulous members!” Winesburgh shared. “Friends of nominees have asked to join. Our nominees’ efforts have been boosted by the exposure. It has been a critical part in the slow growth of our ‘our kind of members’ program over the last six years.”
She also noted that the event is hugely important for club exposure, resulting in invaluable public relations and community advocacy. The club even raises a few thousand dollars in the process. While it may not be a major fundraiser, any money raised supports the club’s mission, and Winesburgh emphasized that the impact of the program goes far beyond the dollars generated.
The Foliage Sertoma Club of Apopka has been serving Apopka, Florida, and the surrounding community since June 1974. To learn more about the club, visit FoliageSertoma.org.