Lynne Spencer was honored as the Quiet Rotarian for her dedication and continued service to the community through Rotary. Pictured from left are Efren Del Rio, Lynne Spencer and Megan Ellinghouse.

 

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Gridley Rotary International hosted a special guest at their weekly meeting Thursday, Jan. 15.

Rotary District 5180 Governor, Megan Ellinghouse met with Rotary board members before welcoming the rest of the club during the lunch hour gathering. Local Rotary Club President Efren Del Rio provided introductions and handed the floor over to the governor.

Before embarking on a motivating presentation, Ellinghouse took a moment to speak on the “Quiet Rotarian” or someone who exemplifies the mission of Rotary before bestowing the honor on an unsuspecting member.

“The Quiet Rotarian is someone who goes above and beyond without looking for praise or recognition. Our Quiet Rotarian is someone who happily gives of their time, whether it is for an individual or for hundreds of people,” read Ellinghouse.

Ellinghouse continued to inform the group of the legacy of service the 2026 Quiet Rotarian had been carving out for herself before introducing Lynne Spencer as the recipient.

With years of service with local VFW clubs and the Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce under her belt, Spencer joined Rotary International Club in 2018 after being thrust into a major role of community service during the aftermath of the Camp Fire.

As many displaced fire survivors joined our community, some with absolutely no belongings, Spencer stepped up and was instrumental in manning three distribution centers that served the survivors. She also served as a liaison with Gridley Rotary, helping the club get donations directly to survivors in need.

Spencer was pivotal in organizing what would become the Butte Wildfires Distribution Center. The center collected and distributed food and clothing donations, located in the Mary and Dan Boegers building in downtown Gridley, when more wildfires decimated homes and towns the following years, such as the Bear Fire that hit Berry Creek in 2020.

District 5180 Governor Megan Ellinghouse. Her territory serves the greater Sacramento area and Northern California communities.

Spencer served as Rotary President multiple times on top of her duties as the Gridley Area Chamber of Commerce President, a position that she has held for the last 10 years.

Spencer was moved nearly to tears and accepted the award graciously.

“Thank you, Gridley Rotary Club, for taking the time to honor her,” said Ellinghouse, “because its people like this that make being involved in the community, being involved in this club, make a difference.”

Ellinghouse turned her attention back to her presentation, asking the local group a few questions before focusing on topics of unity and visibility.

She challenged Gridley Rotary to share their deeds on social media and increase Rotary’s presence in the community through further branding and events. Ellinghouse also encouraged members to visit neighboring clubs.

Ellinghouse used the Oak Park Rotary House in Sacramento, as an example of how a few rotary clubs work together.

“The Oak Park Rotary House was built and is maintained by multiple Rotary Clubs, and this is a house in downtown Sacramento that is about a block, block-and-a-half from U.C. Davis Children’s Hospital,” said Ellinghouse. “When someone in need has a child who is sick and needs treatment at U.C. Davis Medical Hospital, they can come stay at the Rotary House for free. It is fully furnished. It is maintained. It is good shape, and they get to not worry about the housing side of things while they focus on their child’s treatment.”

In an image of the home, Ellinghouse directed the group to the Rotary logo that was emblazoned above the door. Ellinghouse said that when people see that symbol on something positive, even if they don’t know that it is the logo of a Rotary Club, they will want to become more involved.

“What I’m asking you to do is expand Rotary,” said Ellinghouse. “I mean in visibility, and impact, and awareness.”

The club was seemingly responsive to her call for action, and also to the invitation to the upcoming District Conference to be held in South Lake Tahoe.

Before departing, Ellinghouse left one last challenge at the feet of the Gridley Rotary Group, informing them that if their club participated in Plunge for Polio, raising funds for the cause between now and the conference in May, President Del Rio would automatically be listed as the designee to “plunge” into a Lake Tahoe.

It is yet to be seen if the club will activate behind that incentive.

For more information on the Oak Park Rotary House, please contact Oak Park Rotary House Foundation at 500 Calvados Ave., Sacramento, CA, 95815, call 916-925-2782 or go visit oakparkroatryhouse.com.