The Rotary Club No. 25 of Duluth honored Ron DeGrio of Duluth Thursday by naming him a Paul Harris Fellow at the club's annual Paul Harris Dinner at Fitger's.
Traditionally, Rotarians can become Paul Harris Fellows by making a significant contribution to Rotary International's Paul Harris Foundation. The Foundation supports a number of humanitarian efforts worldwide, including the eradication of polio.
This year, Club 25 elected to make a contribution to the Rotary Foundation in the name of a deserving non-Rotarian, particularly one who exemplifies the spirit of service above self. DeGrio was nominated by club member Bill Young and was selected by the club's board of directors to receive the honor.
DeGrio helped organize and develop the Kiwanis Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association for 7,000 kids between the ages of 4 and 19. He is also one of the top volunteers behind the building of the Arlington Avenue Soccer Complex and helped build the Jean Duluth Complex.
DeGrio also organized a youth soccer exchange between Sweden and Duluth, which takes place each summer. For more than 15 years he has devoted his time, talent and money and modestly says, "It's just for the kids."
ADVERTISEMENT
Rotary was organized in Chicago in 1905 by a group of business and professional men led by Paul Harris. It was his idea to have leaders from a variety of businesses and professions meet regularly for lunch each week.
