Rouskey earns Rotarian award
The 2013-14 Rotarian of the Year award will be displayed fittingly at the home of Amy Rouskey, chosen by the Cape Coral Rotary Club and presented at a recent meeting.
“My two kids are grown up now so I had to find something to do with my time,” said Rouskey. “I’ve volunteered practically all my life. I’ve been a baseball mom, volleyball coach, softball and baseball coach.”
The Rotarian of the Year award is given to those who consistently demonstrate service above self. She found plenty of worthy service projects to work on with the Rotary Club.
In the last 11 years she has served on the board of directors, chaired the Dictionary Project, golf tournament planning committee, international projects on Andros Island, Bahamas, and playground construction for the Red Bay School.
“My favorite project is the Dictionary Project,” Rouskey said. “We are giving a dictionary to every third grader in the district. It’s my favorite project because it’s hands-on with the kids and getting to see their faces light up when they get the dictionary is very rewarding. I’ve done this for 11 years now, even before I joined Rotary.”
Rouskey attends virtually every Rotary signature event, including Cape Coral Festival of the Arts and Cardboard Boat Regatta. She has planned the club’s fellowship events, and co-chair of the Run for the Rose Garden 5K Race.
“Being in the direct mail advertising business I’m always involved in Rotary events, printing up flyers for the golf tournament and other events,” Rouskey said. “My hands are on most everything we do.”
She considered it an honor to accompany Rotary Club charter member Paul Sanborn and a group of World War II veterans on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.
“It was very emotional and I will remember that day for the rest of my life,” she said. “I am very proud to be a Rotarian and will continue to serve my club and community for many years to come.
“I’ve been asked to join other clubs, but they don’t compare to what Rotary does,” she added. “This is the first club I joined and probably the only club I will ever belong to.”
Originally from Spokane, Wash., Rouskey has been married for almost 24 years. She manages The Letterbox Inc. store and likely one day will assume company ownership.
“I was a military wife,” she said. “We lived in D.C., Korea and San Antonio. We came here after San Antonio almost 20 years ago because my husband’s family is from here.”
About four years ago her mother-in-law bought her a tandem skydiving experience as a present. That was the first one. She went back to learn the sport and now has made 170 jumps with a club at the Shell Creek Airport in Punta Gorda.
“I skydive every weekend,” Rouskey said. “I do it all on my own. I’ve tried to get some of the Rotarians to come jump, but only a few have.”
She also enjoys gardening in her spare time.
For more information on Rotary visit www.capecoralrotary.com.