Gunnison Rotary Club announces annual banquet and service awards

The Rotary Club of Gunnison announces its 2026 honorees – people who have donated time, money and other resources to make our community healthier, more hopeful, less hungry and more meaningful to everyone.

Ronda Connaway will receive the “Hal Yale Service Above Self” award, this year given on November 7 to a community member who has selflessly devoted their resources to improving the community and assisting others. 

“She may be 93, but she’s still providing leadership in our community as much as she did 10, 20 or 30 years ago,” says Pam Montgomery, who is chairing the banquet at which Connaway will be honored. 

Connaway’s service orientation began during her childhood in Delta, when she realized that some of the children at her school had no food. Her path led to degrees in social work and ultimately, she became the Dean of the School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. She came back to the Western Slope after retirement and made her home in Gunnison, where she has devoted her time to service in this community.

She and her partner, the late Martha Gentry, began the hot meals program at Gunnison High School; she and others founded the Gunnison United Church of Christ where today she chairs its Benevolence Committee; and she recently retired as Chair of Gunnison Valley Health. Ronda has been an invaluable resource for many Valley nonprofits serving as an integral part of Step Advisor program at the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley. 

“If time equals money,” said Amy Stevens, President of the Gunnison Rotary, “then Ronda has given this community millions. She sets the bar for us all.”

Rotary has also created a special award this year, honoring John and Sandra Cosentino for their investments in Gunnison Valley. A proud veteran of the US Army Special Forces Green Berets in the 60s. John relocated to the Gunnison Valley after a successful law career in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He ultimately found his way to Gunnison after passing the Colorado bar and practiced law in Gunnison and on the Western Slope. People may remember his antique store, his llamas, and his hilarious roles in “Sonofagunn,” the annual community show.

For many years, Sandra provided affordable housing for County residents as owner of Aspens West Condominiums. As a colorful side gig, she planned vacations to exotic destinations as a travel agent.

Together, as founders, they have continually funded the Community of the Gunnison Valley.

Lauren Kugler, former Rotary president and Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, praised the Cosentinos, saying that “their generosity, often behind the scenes, has enabled so many young people to see possibilities in their future.” 

Together, John and Sandra have supported nonprofits, often in unusual ways like the time they donated sleeping bags to all the youngsters at Tenderfoot! In larger, more visible philanthropic pursuits, they have given property to both Western and the Community Foundation. John has been an advocate for Rotary’s International Foundation. Maile Foster, of Rotary District 5470, will be on hand at the Banquet to celebrate Sandra and John’s International philanthropy.

Tables and a limited number of individual tickets are still available for the banquet, which takes place on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m. at the WCU Ballroom. You can purchase your tickets at www.rotaryclubofgunnisonco.com. Proceeds from the banquet will – appropriately enough – be directed toward Rotary’s grants to nonprofits serving youth, scholarships and other youth-oriented programs.