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Ushering-In a New School Year -- One Hotdog at a Time
South Haven Rotarians and Kiwanians partnered in serving free hotdogs (more than 400 of them) at the first Back-to-School Bash sponsored by South Haven Public Schools.

Rotary Supports New Intergenerational Day Center

Caring Connection South Haven has been presented a $10,000 grant from the South Haven Rotary Club. Robin McGinnis, CEO of Caring Connection and Brook Blanchard, Executive Director of Youth Development Company (YDC), expressed their appreciation and noted that “…this is an exciting opportunity to work together for our first intergenerational day center in South Haven. The funds will be used to enhance the current playground area to ensure it is ADA compliant for those with mobility issues. And with that, we are building a space for the intergenerational program designed to build relationships between the seniors and children.”

CONGRATULATIONS MARK ODLAND

2024-25 ROTARY DISTRICT 6360 GOVERNOR

History of Our District Governors

South Haven Rotarian Mark Odland is serving as the 2024-25 Governor of Rotary International’s District 6360. Mark and his team are leading a Rotary District that encompasses all of the communities stretching from Lansing and Jackson west to the shores of Lake Michigan and includes over 2,000 Rotarians in 52 community-based clubs.

As Mark accepted the District Governor, he praised the work of the District’s Leadership team and the many members of the local Rotary Clubs. In southwest Michigan, those Rotary projects include support for local and international education, growth of local economies, disease prevention, clean water, mental health, keeping our rivers clean, and beach safety.

President Melinda Gruber Honors Kathy and Dennis Dascenzo

Dennis & Kathy Dascenzo Honored as 2024 Citizens of the Year
The Rotary Club of South Haven is pleased to recognize ‘Citizens of the Year’ Dennis and Kathy Dascenzo as the recipients of Rotary’s 2024 Community Service Award. Each year the South Haven Rotary club recognizes and honors a resident of the South Haven area who makes a significant difference to our community while embodying the spirit of “service above self”. Recipients of this award have demonstrated long-term commitment, service, participation and leadership to improve the character and wellbeing of South Haven. This is the highest recognition award offered to community members by the Rotary club.

President Melinda Gruber Honors Rotarian of the Year Jerry Gruber

Jerry Gruber Honored as Rotarian of the Year

The Rotary Club of South Haven celebrated another year of service to the community with its annual leadership induction dinner and recognition of the Rotarian of the Year at Hawks Head restaurant on June 27. The Rotary Club of South Haven is pleased to recognize Jerry Gruber as the 2024 Rotarian of the Year. Each year an outstanding club member is honored as Rotarian of the Year. Candidates, like Jerry, are individuals with a strong commitment to the principles of Rotary and demonstrate the motto, “service above self” who have made significant contributions to the mission of the club as well as one or more avenues of community or international service. This is our Club’s highest honor for individual Rotary members. Jerry has been a Rotarian for over 35 years. He served as club president in 2005-2006 and has continued to serve on many of the Rotary community service committees.

South Haven Scholars

The recipients of Rotary Scholarships in the SHHS Class of 2024 have been announced. The honorees are: Katheryn Hartmann, Kelsey Hodgman, Hawk Li, Bradley Wildey, Shawn Torres and Leo Redies. Rotary has honored 21 students since the scholarship program was launched in 2020.

Real Life Science Project

Rotarians joined in the annual salmon fish planting in the Black River on May 7. Bob Metzen and Dave Campbell are pictured with teacher Barb Raak who coincidentally is our Educator of the Year at the planting. Fourth and fifth graders first bred the salmon in chillers donated to the school by Rotary. Then, one-by-one, the developed fingerlings were carefully launches in the river. This is a project conducted in partnership with the South Haven Steelheaders.

Educator of the Year Barb Raak with President Melinda Gruber

South Haven Rotary Honors Educator of the Year

A South Haven resident dedicated to helping students achieve success as they begin their college education has been presented with the 2024 Education and Service Award from the Rotary Club of South Haven. Barb Raak, a 4th and 5th grade teacher at North Shore Elementary School, received the award during the Rotary Club’s annual scholarship fundraiser dinner. The award recognizes a South Haven resident in the education field who exemplifies the attributes of quality teaching, mentoring and community involvement. Rotary contributes a $500 grant to the South Haven Public Schools Foundation in honor of the Educator of the Year recipient. Past Recipients of Award

Pictured are: (LtoR) Heather Welsh-Johnson, Executive Director

SHAPE, Rotarians Mary Sue Lyon and John Mellein.

South Haven Rotary Supporting SHAPE Beach Safety Programs
The Rotary Club of South Haven is proud to support the South Haven Ambassadors Program and Education (SHAPE) to help advance their mission to “…create an improved level of safety for South Haven's main attraction - Lake Michigan.

Heather Welsh-Johnson, Executive Director of SHAPE accepted the donation on behalf of the SHAPE organization. She noted that the gift will help to cover the costs of additional printed materials for the upcoming season. These materials have proven effective in reaching a large number of residents and visitors, raising their awareness about the dangers of Lake Michigan, especially rip currents, and how to stay safe in the water by knowing when not to enter the water and when to get out of it. The materials also provide information about alternative safe
and fun activities for red-flag days.

Tom Ruesink is Our 2024 "Club Hero"

We are pleased to name Tom Ruesink our "Club Hero" for 2024. Each year our Rotary District invites all member clubs to name their "Hero". The honorees are recognized at the annual District convention. A Rotarian since 1983, Tom has served as the Club’s master of Arms for many years. As such he runs the “happy bucks” and 50/50 drawing at each club meeting. Tom also coordinates the the annual member donations to “We Care” at the Christmas party. His" cheery” and pleasant demeanor always puts our members at ease and makes the club meetings very enjoyable. Tom attends most if not all Club functions and has been a “staple" of the Club. Tom’s dedication to the club’s success exemplifies his “service above self”, and it is with great pleasure The Rotary Club of South Haven names Tom our "Club Hero"

Past Club Hero Honorees

In Honor of Rotary International

South Haven Rotarians marked Arbor Day 2024 with the traditional planting of a tree in the community. This year a Tulip tree was planted in SHOUT Park. Our club began this tradition in 2018 in honor of Rotary International Founder Paul Harris.