Town Supervisor Dan McLaughlin and former Village of Pelham Police Chief Joe Benefico received Paul Harris Fellow awards from Rotary Club of the Pelhams at a luncheon on Dec.3.
They were recognized for following the Rotary mission of "Service Above Self" in their roles as public servants.
Mr. McLaughlin is completing his third two-year term as Town Supervisor at the end of this month. He had served as a Town Councilman on the Pelham Town Board since 2009 before being elected Town Supervisor in 2020. His other community service was with the Pelham Civic Association, serving as President for four years and Board Chairman for four years.
Mr. Benefico was Village of Pelham Police Chief from 1992-2018, a 26 year term. He was born in Pelham, graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1972, Fordham Business School in 1976 and joined the Village of Pelham Police Department in August of the same year. He also attended Iona Graduate School, completing those studies in 2004.
Paul Harris Fellow awards are presented to individuals who share Rotary International's goals fostering education and international peace. Some of Rotary's accomplishments have been working with others to eradicate polio. Other programs include water projects in Africa as well as work to eradicate disease and improve maternal health around the world.
For more information on Pelham Rotary Club of the Pelhams, visit pelhamrotary.com
Left to right: Former Pelham Village Police Chief Joe Benefico, Rotary Paul Harris Committee Chair Kevin Falvey and Town Supervisor Dan McLaughlin.