One of the last duties for Rotary Club of Powell River president Kelly Keil before her 2024/2025 term ends July 1 was presenting a Paul Harris Fellow award.
“Today, it is our great honour to recognize someone whose quiet leadership and deep dedication have made a lasting impact across many corners of our community,” Keil told the assembled club members and guests at the June 18 meeting.
Kim Barton-Bridges has been a steadfast advocate, volunteer, and visionary. For over a decade, she served on the Ferry Advisory Committee—more than 10 years of that as chair—ensuring Powell River’s voice was heard when it came to vital ferry services. Although the committee has since disbanded, Barton-Bridges continues to explore new ways to advocate for our community’s transportation needs.
In 2014, she helped establish Four Tides Hospice Society and served her full six-year term on the founding board. She returned to the board in 2023 and currently serves as vice president, continuing her compassionate commitment to end-of-life care.
Barton-Bridges has also been involved with PRISMA since 2015 and currently serves as its board president, championing the arts and cultural vibrancy of qathet region.
“Among her more whimsical—but no less impactful—contributions was helping get the very first ORCA Bus on the road,” explained Keil. “Her family even hid the giant blue school bus among the trees on their property during its early retrofitting days—proving that community spirit and creativity sometimes requires a bit of stealth!”
Barton-Bridges has also given her time over the years to education committees, PACs, rep soccer and dance, dry grad events, political campaigns and countless community causes. One of her most cherished contributions was helping organize PRIAX, Powell River’s own cardboard box wars, making a dying young boy’s bucket list dream come true.
“Kim, your passion for service, your tireless energy and your ability to quietly get things done make you the very embodiment of Rotary values,” said Keil. “It’s with immense gratitude that we present you with a Paul Harris Fellow today. Thank you for everything you do.”
Rotary International is a service club with 1.4 million members in 49,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. It was founded by Paul Harris in 1905 and 52 years later the Paul Harris Fellow was set up. It is one of the highest honours in Rotary, signifying a commitment to service above self and recognizing significant contributions to communities and beyond.
When a club contributes $1,000 US to The Rotary Foundation, a request can be made for an individual to be recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow.
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