Ludlow Rotary Club Honors Local Leaders with Community Service and Paul Harris Awards
LUDLOW, Vt. — The Ludlow Rotary Club hosted a bustling luncheon meeting, bringing together members and community figures for a special presentation honoring several outstanding individuals for their dedicated service, leadership, and philanthropy.
Highlighting the event was the presentation of the 2026 Ludlow Rotary Community Service Awards, bestowed upon long-time community champions George Benson Jr. and Pastor Abraham Gross.
Honoring Decades of Local Dedication - George Benson Jr. George Benson Jr. was recognized for his lifelong commitment to the community and local economic vitality. Celebrating his 40th year at the helm of Benson's Chevrolet, Benson leads a business that has served Ludlow for 95 years—making it Vermont's oldest family-owned Chevrolet dealership.
Beyond providing essential employment to local residents, Benson's Chevrolet routinely supports municipal needs by providing honest, low-price vehicle options to the Ludlow Police Department and town departments. Benson and his family—graduates of Black River High School spanning generations, down to his granddaughter currently in the Ludlow school system—have consistently backed local youth and recreation.
His history of service includes: • Sponsoring Ludlow Recreation Department teams over many years.• Supporting local educational fundraisers and hosting community events like "Trunk or Treat."• Giving time and financial backing to local organizations, including the Ludlow Rotary Penny Sale and the Side Hill Cronchers.
Pastor Abraham Gross Pastor Abraham "Abe" Gross was honored for his tireless advocacy, emergency response efforts, and deep-rooted volunteerism across the region. Serving as Pastor of his church and Assistant Chief of the Cavendish Fire Department, Pastor Gross wears many hats in service to his neighbors.
During the catastrophic flooding events of July 2023, Pastor Gross worked on the front lines—helping set up an emergency shelter in the church basement, coordinating volunteer teams with the Mennonites, and working through Black River Good Neighbors to deliver regional flood relief. He even spent over a week volunteering his time and materials to elevate a local family's mobile home above future flood stages.
In addition to emergency response, his contributions include: • Serving on the Green Mountain Unified School District (GMUSD) Board representing Cavendish, bringing a strong voice and a mastery of Robert's Rules of Order to town advocacy.• Volunteering at Cavendish Town Elementary School, attending fundraisers, and personally building a safe gravel ramp connecting the 1st/2nd-grade classroom to the playground.• Enhancing the Cavendish Fletcher Memorial Library with landscaping improvements for proper drainage.• Sharing cultural traditions by teaching students about Hanukkah each Christmas season and participating in the Cavendish Memorial Day celebrations.
Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow Recognition In addition to the Community Service Awards, Ludlow Rotary Club President Brigid Sullivan presented three esteemed Rotarians with Paul Harris Fellow Awards, recognizing their continuous contributions to the foundation's global and local humanitarian efforts.
What is a Paul Harris Fellow? Established in 1957, the Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute—or who have contributions made in their name—of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. It is named after Rotary's founder and represents a commitment to advancing world understanding, goodwill, and community welfare. The following members were recognized: • Mary Crowley – A dedicated Ludlow Rotarian for 27 years, received her first Paul Harris Fellow Award. • Kevin Barnes – Honored with his second Paul Harris Fellow recognition. • Kim Lampert – Recognized with her seventh Paul Harris Fellow Award for her exceptional, ongoing support.
Sullivan presented each recipient with their Paul Harris pin, reminding them to wear the emblem proudly as a symbol of their service above self.
About the Ludlow Rotary Club The Ludlow Rotary Club is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world and local communities. The club meets regularly to support projects across Ludlow, Cavendish, Mount Holly and Plymouth and is currently celebrating their 100Th year of community support!
George Benson, Jr., left, receiving a Ludlow Rotary Community service award from Past President Kevin Barnes.
Pastor Abraham Gross, left, receiving a Ludlow Rotary Community service award from Past President Kevin Barnes. |
