By Kathy L. Collins
Diane Keebler of Valrico was named the 2015 Rotarian of the Year by the Rotary Club of Brandon ’86. The announcement was made at the club’s annual banquet held last month at The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Keebler has been a Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 for 14 years.
Keebler said of the honor, “I was very surprised and very honored. A lot of people in the club work collectively to do all that we do. It was an honor to be chosen for this award.” Keebler serves as a member of the Board of Directors and is the Membership Chairperson.
The Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 supports many local projects and organizations. The projects include an endowment fund; The Annual Dictionary Project; Annual Christmas Party and Easter Egg Hunt for foster children at Every Day Blessings; quarterly road clean ups; and The Annual Speech Contest for high school students.
The Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 also supports several local organizations including The Outreach Clinic; Interact Clubs at Armwood and Durant High Schools; ECHO; Rotary Camp Florida; and Boy Scout Troop 1986.
Keebler is a Leadership Brandon Alumnus. She has also served on the Board of Trustees for Brandon Regional Hospital and their Patient and Family Advisory Board for the last several years.
Keebler is an Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager with CenterState Bank. Jerry Ball, CenterState Bank’s Community president for Hillsborough County said, “We know she is honored to be recognized by her peers as the ‘Rotarian of the Year.’ The bank and I are very proud of the well-deserved recognition of her tireless community service efforts.”
“I believe that we all should give back to the community. It can be with time or with money. Either way, giving back enhances the community,” said Keebler.
The Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 meets every Friday at 7 a.m. at The Grace Place located at 732 W. Lumsden Rd. in Brandon. The next event for the club is their Annual Denizens of the Deep (seafood festival) which will be held on the first Saturday in November at Rotary Camp Florida.
Individuals interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Brandon ’86 can contact Keebler at dkeebler@centerstatebank.com.
