SPOKES -- April 2, 2024

Melinda rang the bell promptly at 7 a.m.  and we stood for the Pledge of Allegiance

Invocation- Tom Renner gave the invocation today, asking for Prayers for Bob Brickman and for the family of former Rotarian John Hamilton who passed away.

 

Bob Boerma  Led us in Song Today!

 

Deb Davidson- Rotary Scholarship Fundraiser

Original agreement was signed in 2004 when Rotary donated the first $9,000 to LMC to provide scholarships and begin an endowment for students from local school districts who are attending Lake Michigan College.

The $9,000 was raised from the first Educational Fundraiser held by South Haven Rotary. The fundraiser has existed in various forms since that 2004 event. Whirlpool Corporation donated a matching $25,000 to the endowment. Current Endowment sits at more than $170,000 plus funding for an emergency Student Success Fund.

History of Educational Fundraiser

Originally an auction first chaired by Steve Larsen. All Proceeds to LMC Scholarship Endowment. Later proceeds were split between the club and the scholarship program.

 

As the event turned into a dinner/social gathering with a small auction an assessment of $100 per member per year was approved. Scott Mark has organized the silent auction for several years.

 

During Larry Wittkop's term as Rotary President with the endowment surpassing $100,000, it was determined that a portion of the proceeds would be donated to the South Haven Public Schools Foundation.

 

The SHPS Foundation placed these funds into an endowment held by the South Haven Community Foundation. That endowment now stands at $54,000 in 2021.

 

In 2019, it was determined that, with the LMC fund surpassing $170,000, we would use the fundraiser to support scholarships for South Haven High School seniors in addition to the SHPS Foundation. So we stopped donating to the LMC Scholarship endowment and all proceeds will go to either the SHPS Foundation fund or directly to South Haven High School scholarships sponsored by our Rotary Club.

 

Donations from the Pietenpol and Hixson families plus from the educational fundraiser provided four $1,OOO scholarships. District grants and fundraiser dollars continued to fund scholarships last year and this year and into the Future.

 

4-5 years ago – changed name to Scholarship Fundraiser more clearly describes our purpose.

 

Scott Mark- Merchants have been very generous.  He has a letter for Merchants to donate if anyone is interested.

Mark Odland- District Youth Exchange

Rotary Social Hour April 10^th at Three Blondes Brewery

Thank you, Event at Lory’s Place for South haven donors, including our club on April 17^th- Cards at the Back of the Room.

Donations for District Mental Health Project – Providing Items to the Ministry. Will be accepted at the April 16^th and April 23^rd Club Meetings. See the list at the back of the room.

Rotary District Conference 2024 in early May! Please register

Nominations are still needed for Citizen and Rotarian of the year- nomination forms in the back of the room-See Dan Thompson

Mark your Calendars for April 27^th Education Dinner, We need everyone who is going attend  to bring at least one more couple.

Car show to benefit the SH Robotics Club. May 15 Todd and Tom Ruesink

Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for John Mellein- Congratulations John!

 

Today we were told about a fathers of twins, triplets and quadruplets!

 

Jerry Portman's ticket was drawn, he did not win the pot!

Amy Nichols was the $2.00 consolation prize winner

 

We sang Happy Birthday Ludington Style!

 

 

Williamston and Harbor County Rotarys presentation on DEI

 

Diversity

Equity

Inclusion presented by: Raj Weiner and Tom Rosenbluth.

 

Will upload the presentation when we receive it from Raj Weiner

 

 

 

Melinda thanked Raj Weiner and Tom Rosenbluth for their presentation. Our greeters next week are Tom Rummel and Mike Mattheny. Paul Hix is the sponsor of our next program and it’s a Surprise!! Please join us at our next meeting,