The Rotary Club of Andover handed out $78,712 in community grants this past year, funding everything from local youth programs to college scholarships — and most of it traces back to one night that filled a DoubleTree ballroom with 325 people honoring their neighbors.

The club's Charitable Trust Committee split the funds five ways: $26,786 for Andover projects, $11,260 for youth programs (including $9,000 in scholarships), $19,500 for Merrimack Valley initiatives, $1,866 for projects outside the valley, and $19,300 for Rotary's international work. Co-chairs Gail Ralston and Jean Leider led the committee alongside members Jamie Lyman, Joel Leider, Jim Greeley, Yaroslava Cassell and Alan Michel.

Much of the funding traces back to the 28th Annual Citizens Who Care gala in May, where nine community volunteers were honored alongside an Educator of the Year and a Student of the Year — a tradition running since 1996. This year's honorees: Ralph Cornelius Bledsoe, Krista Brumberg-Stevens, Jan Holden, Alyssa Kelley, Kim Solt, Jim Sutton, Dave Trachtenberg, Tom Urbelis and Sandis Wright, each sharing their story through video presentations on stage.

Music educator Jeffrey J. Kuchan won Educator of the Year for leading the high school and middle school bands, expanding the jazz program, and reintroducing the winter pep band. Andover High senior Vincent Aguirre took Student of the Year, sharing the moment with his parents. "In school, I treat my studies like a story," Aguirre said.

The gala also marked outgoing president Ann Ormand handing the reins to incoming president Ken Feyl, with town officials including Interim Superintendent Keith Taverna, Select Board Vice Chair Melissa Danisch, and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan on hand to celebrate.

The full evening was produced by Andover TV and is available to watch online. The Charitable Trust accepts donations year-round through its website.