Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/12/2023
LUDLOW — Lisa Wegiel was named the Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Ludlow.
Wegiel has been with the club for three years and is currently the vice president and president-elect for 2024-2025.
“I feel very humbled. Obviously its nice to be recognized but it is not why I do what I do,” she added.
She has been involved in many local Rotary community service projects such as food and clothing drives to support veterans in need and food pantries, partnering with veterans services to clean up a town cemetery as well as laying holiday wreaths on fallen veterans tombstones, raising funds to support the Fire Department’s fire prevention program and raising funds for graduate scholarship.
Every year, members of the Rotary Club choose a nominee for the award and a special committee is formed to pick one winner.
Weigel said she was shocked to not be asked to on the committee but added it all made sense after she was a nominee.
Weigel added, “There are so many projects that take place I Ludlow that benefit different organizations. It’s hard to ask for help and it’s hard to be vulnerable so I think being willing to help others is just an important thing because sometimes it is hard for someone to ask for that help.”
She is also involved in other organizations in town including the Ludlow Boys and Girls Club Fun Development Committee and the Our Lady of Fatima Executive Board in preparation for their 75th annual Portuguese cultural event, Festa.
“Any of the organizations that I’m involved in, what I found is you’re amongst people who sort of become like family. For me, [volunteering] has become a passion about being on the other side of it and really realizing why it’s important to help others without the expectation of anything in return,” Wegiel said.
In the past, Wegiel has been involved with Empty Arms which is bereavement support group for families who have lost children.
“That is actually what got me started in community service when you are on the other side of it. I myself lost a child, I was about seven months pregnant, and they supported me through that loss, so I actually ended up becoming a companion to other families through that organization. It brings into perspective why it is so important.”
Weigel has grown up in Ludlow and is a Ludlow High School Graduate.
She has been married to Eric Wegiel for 18 years and they have 3 children together Matthew (18), Emily (16), and Wyatt (11).
Weigel is also the assistant banking manager at PeoplesBank in Ludlow where she has been recognized as Volunteer of the Month in the past.
Every year the Rotary Club also recognizes an honorary Rotarian of the Year resident who may not be in the club but volunteers their time to the community in multiple organizations or events.
This year they named Linda Collette the honorary Rotarian of the Year. She is the chair of the Ludlow 250th celebration and Hubbard Memorial Library Board of Trustees among other things.