More than 6,000 Turkey Dinners: Now That's Service Above Self

The Elmhurst Rotary Club awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship to Tom Shubalis, owner of Diplomat West Banquets in Elmhurst.

Named for Rotary founder Paul Harris, the fellowship recognizes contributions of $1,000 to the humanitarian and education programs of the Rotary Foundation. These programs include food, potable water, healthcare, immunizations and shelter for millions of people.

Rotarians designate Paul Harris Fellowships to people like Shubalis, whose life exemplifies the “Service Above Self” objective of Rotary.

“Tom has been an extremely generous supporter of our Thanksgiving dinner for nine of the past 17 years that the Elmhurst Rotary has been doing the Thanksgiving project," Elmhurst Rotary Past President Don Alexander said. "He and his staff have helped us serve more than 6,000 turkey dinners with all the trimmings to those in need or who would be alone on the holiday. The annual event is one of our club’s most important community service projects.”