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A community leader dedicated to making life better for the people who work and live in South Haven is being honored by the Rotary Club of South Haven.

Paul Layendecker is the 2022 recipient of the club’s Community Service Award. He was honored during the organization’s annual induction dinner on June 30. Paul is pictured receiving award from President Mary Sue Lyon.

The award, initiated in 2010, recognizes citizens who have demonstrated significant service to the community through commitment, participation, achievement and contribution to the character and well-being of the South Haven area.

Layendecker, who is Director of Operations and Program Director for Midwest Family Broadcasting, has extended a highly active and visible professional life to the community through personal involvement in a variety of organizations.

“Paul truly exemplifies the Rotary principle ‘Service Above Self’,” said Rotarian Mark Odland. “He takes his position on the radio beyond what others might do by using his talents to support organizations throughout the area. He can always be counted on to help promote the people and organizations who are working hard to make South Haven a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

His community involvement has included a leadership role with We Care Community Resource Center, past chairman of the Van Buren County United Way and past president of the South Haven Kiwanis Club. He has donated thousands of hours of airtime on COSY radio promoting South Haven. He was recently presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Greater South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce.

South Haven Rotary Honors Member Art Ayers

A South Haven Rotarian whose persistence has facilitated a club initiative to make an impact internationally is being honored as the organization’s Rotarian of the Year.

Art Ayers was recognized during the club’s annual induction dinner on Thursday, June 30. Art is pictured receiving award from Mark Odland.

A member of the Rotary club since 2014, Ayers was instrumental in coordinating an initiative through Rotary International that led to the construction of a 160,000 gallon water storage cistern from thew Maternal and Child Hospital in Ngoswani, Kenya. The system recently became operational as a safe water resource to the hospital which serves approximately 300,000 people.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Art for his tireless work under sometimes frustrating conditions to plan, organize, coordinate and lead this process,” said Rotary president Bill Roberts. “The $75,000 project was approved by Rotary International in 2021, a huge accomplishment that came as a result of Art’s focus, hard work and tenacity.”

Ayers is a person who exemplifies the object of Rotary, Service Above Self. He serves as chaplain of the club and is an active volunteer on projects. He was the club’s president in 2016-17 and was honored as the club’s Rotary District Hero in 2018.

“He is a humble servant leader who always shares credit even when his work was significant,” said Roberts.

A Vision Becomes Reality

Lifesaving Kenya Water Project Completed

Years of visioning, planning, fundraising and designing is being rewarded with the construction on a 160,000 gallon water storage cistern for the Maternal and Child Hospital in Ngoswani, Kenya. A global grant from the Rotary International Foundation, together with grants from the South Haven Rotary Club, other Rotary Clubs in District 6360 and individual Rotarians, provided $75,000 for the project. Members of the Milimani Rotary Club of Nairobi, Kenya, joined Maasai leaders in a celebrative groundbreaking for the project designed to be a safe water resource to the hospital which serves approximately 300,000 people. Here's a photo gallery showing construction of the cistern.