In a special meeting Tuesday November 14 the Rotary Club of Kittery and the Congregation of 2nd Christian Church joined to honor the Service Above Self efforts of Wilma Wheeler.
Kittery Rotary President Pam Gray presenting Wilma with her Paul Harris Fellowship
With family and friends in attendance, the Club presented Wilma with a Paul Harris Fellow Award for her commitment to service, and specifically for her dedication in making a total of 2750 dresses for Little Dresses for Africa over the last several years.
Wilma and her dresses
Wilma Wheeler has a long history of volunteering for her community. Seven years ago Wilma heard about the Dresses for Africa Project. The project provides new, colorful dresses for young girls in impoverished areas. Originally the program "Little dresses fo Africa" goal was to raise self esteem, but also they have been shown to discourage sexual trafficking, as girls who are well dressed are assumed to be cared about and less vulnerable. Wilma loves to sew and set herself a goal of 10 dresses a day. She has generated over 2750 dresses since. her efforts have been an inspiration to others in our community. The Rotary Club is proud to be able to make Wilma a Paul Harris Fellow which is Rotary's recognition of service and represents a donation of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation in her name. The Rotary Foundation funds service work locally and around the world efficiently and effectively under close overview of Rotary volunteers.
The 2nd Christian Church hosted the presentation, attended by many of Wilma's family members, some traveling across country to be there, We were all treated to a fabulous brunch prepared and served by Wilma's church "family".