Rotary Club of Dawson County was recently one of nine clubs in District 6910 to receive the Gold Club designation during the district's 2014 conference at Jekyll Island.

"We are one of three large clubs in the district to be a Gold Club," said President Vernon Smith. "I'm not going to lie to you. I'm pretty proud."

During a special celebratory meeting May 1, Smith had the awards and commendations the club received at the conference on display.

"We weren't even planning to meet today since we had our golf tournament on Monday, but after the phenomenal week we've had, we thought we should celebrate," he said.

Earlier in the week, the club held its annual golf tournament and fundraiser, which collected more than $50,000 that will be redistributed to a variety of local agencies the club supports, including a splash park at Rock Creek Park.

In addition to bringing home the Gold Ribbon, the club also received awards for public image, growth and engagement, while Smith received the Governor's Service and Leadership Award, as well as the Presidential Citation from Rotary International.

At the district president's dinner, Smith said he smiled with pride as he stood before the group and talked about the club's accomplishments.

"It's a partnership. We're all in this together," he said, as he explained how the club was able to purchase two motorized scooters for the Dawson County Senior Center when only the cost of one scooter was budgeted.

"That's the power of Rotary, the power of the Rotary pin."

Dawn Pruett, director of the senior center, said her seniors are ecstatic to have the scooters.

"Thank you Rotary," she said.