Rotary Club of Clayton honors community service with awards

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Pictured are Laura Lane, awarded the J.C. Dover Award; Amy Hulett, awarded the Gold “R” Award; Ashley York, awarded The Wheel Award; Captain Josh Bleckley, 2026 Fireman of the Year; Tate Nichols, 2026 EMT/Paramedic of the Year; Caroline Wallis, awarded The Wheel Award; Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Rodriguez, 2026 Police Officer of the Year; and Sky Valley Police Department Lt. David Edwards, 2026 Police Officer of the Year.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Caroline Wallis, executive director of Fight Abuse In The Home (F.A.I.T.H.), left, gives words of encouragement to Women of Worth (WOW) Recovery Director Ashley York, as the duo accepts The Wheel Award from the Rotary Club of Clayton for the partnership between F.A.I.T.H. and WOW during Rotary’s Thursday, June 4, lunch meeting. Rotary Club of Clayton President Matt Freeman congratulates the pair.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Rodriguez thanks the Rotary Club of Clayton as he is awarded the 2026 Police Officer of the Year during their awards ceremony at the Thursday, June 4, lunch meeting. Sheriff Mark Gerrells and Rotary Club of Clayton President Matt Freeman congratulate the deputy.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. The Rotary Club of Clayton recognized Rabun County Fire Services Captain Josh Bleckley, pictured center, as the 2026 Fireman of the Year for his outstanding service to Rabun County. Rotarian Stewart Harvard and Rotary Club of Clayton President Matt Freeman shake hands with Bleckley during the Thursday, June 4, lunch meeting.

Megan Horn/The Clayton Tribune. Paramedic Tate Nichols, second from left, shakes hands with Rotary Club of Clayton President Matt Freeman after receiving the 2026 EMT/Paramedic of the Year award from the Rotary Club of Clayton during the Thursday, June 4 lunch meeting. Pictured also are EMS Capt. Trampes Stancil and Rotrarian Stewart Harvard.