Anne Walker, past Rotary District 7770 Governor, presents the district's "Service Above Self Award" to Spring Valley Rotarian Richard Rotary District 7770 recently awarded its 2009 Service Above Self Award to Richard Hucks, a member of the Spring Valley Rotary Club. District 7770 comprises the 25 eastern counties in South Carolina and includes 78 Rotary clubs with a membership of approximately 5,000 Rotarians. Hucks accepted the prestigious award at a recent Spring Valley Rotary meeting.

For 25 years Hucks has served the Spring Valley club in a variety of roles including secretary, president, programs chair, and membership chair in addition to coordinating many community service projects for the club. At the district level he served as an area representative, assistant governor, group study exchange chair (GSE), GSE team leader, area coordinator, and chair of inbound and outbound teams participating in the GSE program.

"The Rotary motto Service Above Self conveys the humanitarian spirit of the more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide," says Spring Valley Rotary club President, Babbie Jaco. "Richard Hucks exemplifies our motto. We're honored that he represents our club," she added.

Hucks who retired after a 40- year career with SCANA, is an active member of Northeast Presbyterian Church and a board member for Bethany Christian Services. He and his wife Jo have a daughter and two sons, seven grandchildren, and over the years have served as foster parents to 46 children.

The Spring Valley Rotary club meets every Thursday from 1 to 2 pm in the Grand Hall of Northeast Presbyterian Church located at 601 Polo Road. To learn more about membership in the club visit www.springvalleyrotary. com or contact David Boucher at (803) 264-3256 or by email at david.boucher@bcbssc.com.