By Max Bowen—max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
The North Attleboro/Plainville Rotary Club has announced the winners of its 2026 Distinguished Service Awards.
The annual DSA banquet will take place on March 23 at 6 p.m. at Plainridge Park Casino’s Boylston Function Room in Plainville. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased from Dr. John W. Barone at 107 North Washington St. in North Attleboro or by calling 508-699-2481 by March 17.
The 2026 DSA recipients are: Paul Rofino (Outstanding Citizen), Bhavishnu Mood and John Thomas (Outstanding Youth), Mark Hollowell (Outstanding Public Employee), Laurie Durand (Outstanding Educator) and Brenda J. Watkinson (Outstanding Senior).
Outstanding Citizen: Paul Rofino
For his years of dedicated service to the town, particularly the youth, Rofino was nominated for the Outstanding Citizen Award. One nomination letter cited his 35 years of community service, which began with being a Town Meeting Representative and continued on with his time as a member of the Park and Recreation Commission, serving as chairmen for 10 years.
Rofino was also recognized for his years as a youth sports. As a coach, he worked with girls softball and basketball, boys softball, basketball and baseball, and junior football, coaching multiple teams and serving on the Football Board for 14 years, according to the nomination letter. He was also inducted into the NAJF Hall of Fame in 2021.
“What truly distinguishes Paul, however, is not only the number of roles he has held, but the character with which he has carried them out,” the letter reads. “He has devoted countless hours—often behind the scenes and without recognition—for the betterment of the town.”
Outstanding Youth: Bhavishnu Mood and John Thomas
Mood and Thomas are being recognized for their work “bridging the digital divide for North Attleborough’s seniors,” according to one nomination letter. Since 2023, the two have run the North Attleboro Senior Technology Program, teaming with other students to provide one-on-one technology assistance at the Senior Center and to homebound older adults. This includes working different devices and navigating the internet. They’e also offered technology classes at the town library.
“Their kindness, professionalism, and willingness to share their knowledge have made a remarkable difference in the lives of our seniors, and they are truly deserving of this recognition,” one letter reads.
Another letter speaks to how the program has grown to include senior centers in Attleboro, Franklin, Seekonk, Sharon and Plainville.
“Together, they’ve contributed over 500 volunteer hours though weekly one-on-one sessions and workshops that regularly bring in 15-20 participants,” the letter reads. “They also created a library of 10 tech-education slideshows and documents to support both seniors and staff.”
Outstanding Public Employee: Mark Hollowell
As director of the town’s Department of Public Works, Hollowell was nominated for his “professionalism, vision and commitment,” according to one letter. For 19 years, he has served as director of the DPW, leading five departments that manage the town’s roads, bridges, water, sewer, snow removal, and trash and recycling.
One nomination letter cited his work to mitigate the presence of PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to harmful health concerns. Hollowell designed a plan to address this and sought funding for its implementation.
“Director Hollowell always makes himself available to the public, and through patience, understanding and his through knowledge of the town’s infrastructure, he capably explains complex processes in one-on-one and public forums,” read one nomination letter.
Outstanding Educator: Laurie Durand
A music teacher at the Anna Ware Jackson School in Plainville, Durand was recognized for her work uniting the town’s students and senior citizens, particularly in performing at the town’s memorial event. She has also headed many community events involving the town’s veterans.
“There is so much more to say about Laurie,” the letter reads. “She loves her students and it truly shows in all that she does.”
Another nomination letter spoke to the 30 community readers that Durand organizes for March Reading Month, and community slideshows for September Back to School, as well as December, April, and at the end of the school year to celebrate all that the students have accomplished.
Outstanding Senior: Brenda J. Watkinson
Described as a “giver, plain and simple,” one nomination letter for Watkinson referenced her volunteer service that has touched every corner of Plainville. Since moving to the town from Natick, she has “embraced the community in every sense of the word.”
Among Watkinson’s community service efforts are her time as a library trustee, representing Plainville on the GATRA Board of Directors, and being chair of the Plainville Tax Aid Committee. She has also been a noteworthy supporter of the seniors, as a longtime member and chair of the Plainville Council on Aging, becoming “a fixture” at the senior center, one letter reads.
“Brenda does not serve for recognition, but rather, she serves because she genuinely cares about her neighbors and town,” the letter reads. “Plainville is a stronger, kinder, and more connected community because of her generosity and leadership.”