Bogalusa Strong had its highest attendance ever, and several Rotary Club members were honored Tuesday during the club’s meeting at the Bogalusa Country Club.

Bogalusa Strong is a collaborative partnership of community members, leaders, businesses and organizations working together to improve the city and parish’s quality of life by promoting physical, social, and environmental health where citizens live, learn, work, pray and play. Bogalusa Strong is supported by the mayor, the Mayor’s Wellness Council, Our Lady of Angels Hospital, LSU AgCenter, the Louisiana Department of Health Well-Ahead Louisiana and community members.

The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month, during the Rotary Club’s meeting at noon.

In addition to Bogalusa Strong, other speakers at Tuesday’s meeting included Rotary District Governor Bob Haueser and Grants Committee Chair — the energetic Andrew Ward. Each visitor brought an amazing presentation about the grant opportunities available through the Rotary Foundation, as well as district grants, club president Wendy Williams said.

Assistant District Governor Vicky Magas discussed Rotary international’s efforts. More than 75 guests to include community leaders, service and action agencies attended the luncheon, the most to ever attend a Bogalusa Strong meeting.

Joannie Miller and Williams were presented as Paul Harris Fellows, which is Rotary’s way of recognizing their contributions to the Rotary Foundation as well as exceptional service.

Williams expressed a huge thank you to Taffy Morrison, the Bogalusa Strong liaison, working on this pilot program through Louisiana Well-Ahead.

“Kudos on your trailblazing efforts thus far in leading the mission,” she said. “We could not have gotten this initiative kick-started without your dedication. Thanks to all of the Executive Leadership Committee members, The Mayor’s Wellness Council as well all of the partners and individuals who are taking part in making Bogalusa stronger.”

The Rotary Foundation creates the opportunity for Rotarians to do even more good in the world. Today, The Rotary Foundation raises nearly 70 million dollars each year, with about 80 percent of those funds coming from individuals being named Paul Harris Fellows. They are the backbone of the annual support to the Rotary Foundation with their donations serving as a primary reason that Rotarians are able to carry on worldwide efforts of educational and humanitarian programs.