Hamilton Named Rotary Club’s Person Of 2016

Ken Hamilton thanks the Rotary Club during his acceptance speech, left; and the specially engraved commemorative paver that bears his name at Pottstown’s RiverFront Park.

UPPER POTTSGROVE PA – Ken Hamilton, founder of the Green Allies non-profit organization that partnered with Upper Pottsgrove Township to create Althouse Arboretum on Gilbertsville Road, has been named by the Rotary Club of Pottstown as its 2016 Person of the Year, the club announced Sunday (Sept. 25, 2016).

Hamilton was recognized during a Sept. 14 (Wednesday) ceremony held at the Rotary Pavilion in the borough’s Riverfront Park. Club members, earlier award recipients, and local state legislators attended, and also enjoyed a dinner held in his honor.

The arboretum is a privately operated outdoor education center designed and planned by local students, many of them from Pottsgrove High School, who are empowered to run its educational activities and programs. The arboretum also preserves native plant species, serves as a regional destination for residents seeking outdoor activities, and promotes itself as a community environmental resource.

Hamilton additionally has been named as one of Pennsylvania’s “Outstanding Environmental Educators,” and was invited to the White House for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Presidential Environmental Youth Awards for his work with students.

The Rotary Club annually recognizes a member of the greater Pottstown community for outstanding contributions in areas such as the arts, business, education, health care, non-profit public service, and government service.

Rotary is a locally based but international service organization comprised of men and women supporting a number programs in Pottstown that include literacy building, the Pottstown Halloween Parade, student scholarships, Operation Backpack, and Meals on Wheels. It also sponsors the Pottstown High School Interact Club.

Photos from the Pottstown Rotary Club via Facebook