Inverness Sertoma Club holds annual awards banquet, Installation of Officers

By Cynthia Oswald

The Inverness Sertoma Club held its annual Awards Banquet and installation of officers on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at Inverness Golf and Country Club.

The popular event saw guest attendance from both the Citrus Sertoma Club (Crystal River) and Sertoma Club of the Villages, along with representatives from Camp Endeavor, Sertoma Youth Ranch, Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida, The Villages Sertoma Club Baseball Camp for Hearing Impaired Youths, and Citrus County Commissioner Jimmie T. Smith.

Guest speaker for the evening was Dr. Barry L. Pendry, retired director of Rehabilitation Services at All Children’s Hospital, Inc. in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The evening kicked off with the Honor Guard Boy Scout Troop 302 presentation of the colors.   These young men and their families also volunteer at festivals and events throughout the year for the Inverness Sertoma fundraising food booth. The Service to Mankind 2019 Awards were presented to; John Hull (Inverness) and J.P. Cash (Crystal River). This prestigious award is based on the amount of volunteer community service provided by a non-Sertoman to the community, state, province or nation.

Sertoman of the Year 2019 Award for the Inverness Club was presented to Rainer Jakob and the Citrus Club award went to Jane Van Orden. Rainer also was awarded the well-deserved Sertoma Lifetime Achievement Award for his forty-one years of service to Sertoma and the community. Cynthia Oswald, Inverness Club, was presented the Sertoma GEM Award for her enthusiasm as a new member.

Outgoing officers were thanked for their commitment to Sertoma and the community and newly appointed officers were thanked in advance for the year ahead. Members both current and new were reminded of the Sertoma creed: To make Life Worthwhile for Others.

For more information about this program or how to become a member of Inverness Sertoma Club contact Cynthia Oswald atInvernesssertoma@gmail.com .