Dracut Rotary honored long time member Farook Taufiq on June 18th in a special ceremony recognizing his 46 of service to the club. Taufiq received the club’s Service Above Self Award in recognition of his efforts on behalf of Rotary here and around the world. Farook’s wife, son, and family were the surprise guests of the club at the Tuesday meeting dedicated to expressing DRC’s appreciation to Farook for all he has done for the club since being inducted in 1978.

Club member Chuck Moran outlined just some of the things DRC has been able to accomplish thanks to Farook’s leadership. According to Moran, Farook has been the “go to” member for local, national and international projects for DRC for most of the club’s fifty year history.

He has served in many capacities during his membership, including two-time president, vice president, board member and chair of numerous committees. When the club decided to send chicks to the Caribbean following a hurricane that destroyed poultry farming in Jamaica, he stepped up to help lead the effort. When the club took on a project to get water pumps to a school in Haiti that was desperate for fresh drinking water, Farook was quick to say “let’s make it happen.” When the club decided to collect for flood ravaged areas in the Mississippi Valley, he got space on a semi for the club to load with donated non-perishables headed for the flood victims. Whether it was medical supplies for a clinic in Southeast Asia or books for schools in India, Farook Taufiq was the person who knew how to make it happen. He has been a Greater Lowell leader, philanthropist, and national spokesperson for a world effort to bring food to the hungry. 

Farook and his wife will be moving to the west coast to be close to family and enjoy a much deserved rest, but we doubt that he will be retiring from his service to others. He will be greatly missed by DRC. In fact when we need some advice, we’ll be calling Farook Taufiq.