The Rotary Club of South Haven is honoring a longtime community volunteer with the announcement of a new award in her memory.
Rotary Club President Amy Nichols tells us the first ever Carole Hodgman Memorial Grant has gone to the South Haven Scott Club. She says Carole Hodgman was a cherished member of the Rotary and wife of longtime Rotarian Don Hodgman. Nichols says Carole was deeply committed to service, community connection, and lifelong learning. Carole died last year.
“When she passed away, I really wanted to be able to honor her some way, and the club, we decided that Scott Club was really who we needed to help out because that was sort of Carol’s baby,” Nichols said. “She loved her Scott Club and she did so much for them.”
The Scott Club provides cultural programming throughout the area.
“They have this most gorgeous, beautiful, historic building that they just finished a renovation on, and they’re getting an elevator in, so that’s exciting. But they do author talks, musical performances, concerts, book discussions. I mean, you name it, they pretty much do that.”
Nichols says the Scott Club also collaborates with other organizations to stage community events. The $2,500 Carole Hodgman Memorial Grant will support is continued programming.
Founded in 1883, originally as a reading circle, the South Haven Scott Club has more than 110 members. Its mission is to foster inclusive community engagement.
The Rotary, meanwhile, is about to enter its 70th year in the community and still going strong. Nichols says it gives out about $40,000 a year to support the community.
