Stories

We had "stacks" of food by Lincoln South Rotary Club members for the Little Free Pantries January event. Five Little Free Pantries were stocked because of your generosity!

Lincoln South Rotary Club is officially a sponsor of Community Action’s Store. Besides volunteers, many diaper donations have already been received to help with the goal of 1,000 diapers donated in January. And, even MORE diapers were brough to Lincoln South Rotary Club February 6. Below you will see more photos and the message from Community Action.

Welcome to new members Lindsey Licht and Paul Williams who were presented with their new member packets, including their Certificate of Membership. Also pictured is President Syd Widga. Thank you Lindsey and Paul for becoming a part of Rotary!

Lincoln South Rotary Club The Rotary International Foundation Drive results - we met our goal of $16,000 but were short of 100% participation. Because of the amount of money and points available, we will name two Paul Harris Fellows this year - Suchitra Pattnaik and Heather Loughman. You can participate in the annual drive easily - pay the optional donation with the annual dues that will come out in April. Be a part of the success and - earn the chance to become a Paul Harris Fellow!

Lincoln South Rotary Club met on February 6, 2026 with 46% of our Club Members in attendance.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

 

Thank you for all of the contributions (below) in support of Polio Plus during the last meeting.

Did you know that there is an official blog site for Rotary International? You can join to get notification of posts or just read as you wish. The current post focuses on "Creating a Rotary where everyone belongs".

Community Action’s Store provides access to basic care items to participants of its poverty-fighting programs and services (click here). Community Action’s participants use points they receive in their program in exchange for critically needed items. This month, Lincoln South Rotary Club is sponsoring Community Action’s Store. Here’s how to help:

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Board of Directors is pleased to announce Heather Loughman will be the Club President 2027-29. Congratulations Heather and thank you for your commitment to Lincoln South Rotary Club!

The Club policy is to cancel our meeting if LPS cancels school due to weather. Therefore, Lincoln South Rotary Club did not meet on January 23, 2026.

Lincoln South Rotary Club met on January 16, 2026. There were 22 in attendance including with 41% of our Club Members.

Our speaker on January 16, 2026 was Rusty Dawkins, Chief Meteorologist at KLKN TV - Channel 8.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, January 9, 2026, we learned about our newest member, Lindsey Licht - she received her member badge January 16, 2026.

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Board is asking members to consider projects or programs that can benefit from grant funds. Can you think of a project from $3,000 to $5,000? 

A warm welcome to our visitors to Lincoln South Rotary Club meeting January 16, 2026 at Lincoln South Rotary:

Peg Schoen - guest of Kay Wunderlich
Chris Michael - guest of Kay Wunderlich
Julie Robinson - Lincoln 14 - guest of Kay Wunderlich
Mike Wortman - Lincoln 14
Sam Bates - Community Action Partnership - guest of Heather Loughman

From Facebook - Michael shared that they could use some help with minor maintenance on some of the Little Free Pantries. "This is a call out to anyone that’s a handyman that has some volunteer energy. I have some damaged pantries that need a little bit of tender, loving care. Please feel free to reach out to me.-Michael 402-601-4501". And, Lincoln South Rotary continues to collect donated food items - bring them any Friday.

Our speaker on January 16, 2026 will be Rusty Dawkins, Chief Meteorologist at KLKN TV - Channel 8.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, January 9, 2026, we learned about our newest member, Lindsey Licht.

Lincoln South Rotary Club met on January 9, 2026 with 44% of our Club Members in attendance.

Lincoln South Rotary Club appreciates working with The Venue for our weekly meetings and special events. A thank you gift was presented to Jay at the meeting January 2. He was also given gifts for Heather and Ally of the Catering Staff for their on-going help.

Lincoln South Rotary Club met on January 2, 2026 - though it was a cold and damp day we had many members attend.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

These guiding principles of Rotary have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.

In support of Christmas and New Years, Lincoln South Rotary Club did not meet on December 26. We hope you enjoyed your holidays.

Heather Loughlin headed the Lincoln South Rotary Club Service Club Committee which also included Joyce Schmeeckle, DeEtta Vrana and Audrey Richert. The committee presented a proposal for a multi level service project for our club - including our time, talents and other treasures. The Board approved the proposal at the December 19, 2025 meeting.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on December 19, 2025, we had over 56% of our members attend. Sweet treats were provided by Joe Roberts - we thank you!

Plan to attend the Rotary Club Meeting on December 19 - there will be a special Holiday surprise - sweet treats for all!

The Holiday Party was a great social event. The room was beautifully decorated, the food was wonderful and we generously donated to serve others.

 

Joe Roberts had the unique opportunity to attend a Service Club meeting while on the Queen Mary 2. This serves as a make up meeting attendance credit for any Service Club.

 

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a strong tradition of supporting The Rotary International Foundation and our annual drive is going on now - ending at the January 31, 2026 club meeting.

Earlier we heard of the awards and activities of Lincoln South Rotary Club at the 2025-26 District Conference in October. Syd Widga officially presented the club with the 2024-25 awards earned: Club Excellence Award (formerly the Rotary Citation), Polio Plus Support of $1500 or more - we were 6th among all clubs; 2nd in Per Capita giving to the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation at $339.82.

We believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.

To learn more - click here.

Lincoln South Rotary recognizes our members who are veterans. Thank you for your service! Photos are below.

 

Heather Loughlin, the head of the Lincoln South Rotary Club Service Club Committee, will present proposals for our future service projects on November 21, 2025.

John presented our Club with a visiting Rotarian banner from the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club was recognized from the podium during the Salute to Business 2025. Lincoln South Rotary Club Rocks!

The Annual Salute to Business is a collaborative event of The Rotary Clubs of Lincoln. We hold a luncheon and honor one business that has made a significant contribution to the city of Lincoln through employment of people and the good works they perform.

Are you wanting to contact another Rotary Member? Through ClubRunner you can get contact information for anyone in our Club or District.

An extension of our speaker on Youth Exchange, read this story by Randy Bretz about Connection and Compassion. This journey started with Youth Exchange and spanned several years - people and countries connecting. Click here to read the story.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

Thank you to Lincoln South Rotary Club Members Joe Roberts and Dean Venter for sponsoring a team for the Omaha Millard Golf Outing on October 1. Joining Joe and Dean were Joe's brother John and friend Steve. Thank you for representing Lincoln South Rotary Club!

Lincoln South Rotary Club provides a great service to our community. We have done many single day / event service projects but also have multiple on-going projects. Click Read More and let us know where you might want to help.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has consistently sponsored students to participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). RYLA in our District started in 2012 under the leadership of Lincoln South Rotary Club Member, and now Past District Governor 2017-18, Tom Cardwell.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's message to Unite For Good.

We welcome Dean Venter as our newest Lincoln South Rotary Club Member. Dean first joined Rotary October 1, 2009, spending most of his time in Grand Island.

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Board met on August 1, 2025. On the agenda was a review of recommendations to revitalize the club - items that came from the Survey of Members, Club Assembly July 11 and Past President Meetings,.

In order to ensure a variety of service opportunities are available to Lincoln South Rotary Club, a new Service Project Committee has been activated.

Joe Roberts reported on the progress and next steps in Revitalizing Our Club - The Path Forward. The Past Presidents met again July 15 to review the notes from the Club Assembly held July 11 when we discussed the survey results.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club, by voice vote during the 7-18-25 club meeting, elected three additional board members from our past-presidents. Thank you and congratulations to these members who have agreed to serve on the Board - Brad Carter, John Herdman, Matt Horak:

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to share the 2025-26 Rotary President's Message to Unite For Good.

During the Club Assembly on July 11, 2025, new leaders for Lincoln South Rotary Club were elected.

2025-26 President will be Syd Widga - he was already elected to the Board by the Membership during the elections at the end of 2024.

2026-27 President will be Tami Lambie who, because of this election, is now also placed on the Board.

Congratulations and thank you to Syd and Tami.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of recognizing support of The Rotary International Foundation. This week we were able to recognize a former Rotarian who continues to give to The Rotary Foundation.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on June 27, 2025 we will have a Year End Review presentation by Suni.

The Lincoln Journal Star - Neighborhood Extra Section - included the story about our scholarship presentation to Amber Mann.

Click here to read what was printed in the Lincoln Journal Star.

Click here to read the story as published to our Lincoln South Rotary Club Website.

 

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has made a commitment to provide substantial scholarships to students in health services. On May 30, 2025 Amber Mann was presented with a $5,000 scholarship to Bryan Health.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. At $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

 

You can easily add your Happy Dollars to your charge when you check in at Rotary. Tom advised us that you can let him know if you wish to add to your charge to cover Happy Dollars - any amount. He will give you cash to put in the Happy Dollars bag during the meeting collection.

On Friday May 2, 2025, Lincoln South Rotary Club Members Joe Roberts and Dave Dietz attended the Nebraska City Rotary Club 100 Year Celebration Banquet.

Give to Lincoln Day is May 29!

Global grant scholarships fund graduate-level coursework or research for one to four academic years. 

Hundreds of dollars worth of items and $420 cash from Lincoln South Rotary Club Members was presented to Kyndal Hudson and Elijah Riley of Big Gumdrop Outdoors at our meeting on April 25, 2025.

Hundreds of dollars worth of items and $420 cash from Lincoln South Rotary Club Members was presented to Kyndal Hudson and Elijah Riley of Big Gumdrop Outdoors at our meeting on April 25, 2025.

Youth Exchange is looking for Host Families. This year we have two female students attending school in Lincoln. Suni encouraged all of us to consider hosting a student in our homes.

District Governor Tom Kerfoot was at Lincoln South Rotary Club on April 11 to present the highest service award from Rotary International - the Service Above Self Award - to Lincoln South Rotary Club Member Jenny Cardwell.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of a Global Grant - Anna Singharath, the District 5650 Global Grant recipient.

The Lincoln South Rotary Club Foundation Chili and Soup Benefit and Social was held on March 22 at the home of John and Nancy Herdman.

Youth exchange is one of the oldest standing programs Rotary has. Rotary Youth Exchange Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. It is am amazing opportunity for the students, families and the world as they become strong leaders for our future.

Rotary Members are People of Action. Through them we are able to support the 2024-25 Rotary Theme as we share The Magic Of Rotary.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club is supporting Little Free Pantries as an ongoing project. Clay and Jules Ehlers shopped - filled the back of their vehicle - and set out to stock Little Free Pantries last weekend.

Thank you to Tom Hyde, the "4 The Win" Quartet from Lincoln Continentals sang to us on February 14, 2025 for Valentine's Day. We heard them sing "Heart of My Heart" "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" and "My Wild Irish Rose".

We refuse to accept conflict as a way of life. Rotary projects provide training that fosters understanding and provides communities with the skills to resolve conflicts.

To learn more - click here.

Here is what your Rotary Club has provided to our Community for the first half of the 2024-25 Rotary Year - July 1 through December 31:

197 Volunteer Hours
114 Volunteer Sign Ups
$17,585 Donations Cash and In-Kind

Lincoln South Rotary Club members donated their time and treasures to provide items to support and encourage outdoor play at EduCare.

Help us get noticed! Share our Rotary stories.

Nikki Isemann shared an update on her career and activities as a Member Update on October 11, 2024.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

 

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of the newest Interact Club in the District - Lincoln East High School Interact Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club is the sponsor of the Lincoln East High School Interact Club. Leadership of Interact visited Lincoln South Rotary and received their Certificate of Organization.

Your Lincoln South Rotary Foundation (local foundation) was created to provide grants to those in need in the Lincoln-area, with grant decisions determined solely by members of Lincoln South Rotary Club.  A full list of past grant recipients is available at www.lincolnsouthrotary.org.

The District 5650 Global Grants committee has selected Anna Singharath to be the 2024-25 Global Grants Scholar. Lincoln South Rotary Club has the honor of sponsoring Anna.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. 

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. 

On May 2, 2024, Lincoln South Rotary Club celebrated 40-Years of Service at Capital View Winery.

Pay your Happy Dollars online! Go to Rotary.org/myrotary and logon or click here (logon required at rotary.org).

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

We can all receive the Rotary magazine in digital format rather than paper. Read on to find out how to set that up!

Donations to The Rotary International Foundation support local projects - they are not all used Internationally! Lincoln South Rotary Club has completed projects over $51,000 using your donated funds!

Donations to The Rotary Foundation can be made and tracked online.

 

You can easily find your donation history and recognition status - click here to see a sample of the donation history and recognition status screens.

 

Click here for instructions to set up a logon at My Rotary. Once logged in select the Donate Button to donate - one time or to set up Rotary Direct.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

These principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.

Are you interested in the membership trends of the Club - maybe the age and gender trends? How about looking at the past history of goals and attainment in areas such as The Rotary Foundation.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, June 23, 2023, we learned about one of our newest members, Heather Loughman.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation. We appreciate every donation to The Rotary Foundation.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

At Lincoln South Rotary Club on Friday, March 24, 2023, we learned about one of our newest members, Syd Widga.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. When those donations reach $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

We heard from long-time member Kay Wunderlich during the Member Moment on December 16, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

We heard from our newest member - Suchitra Pattnaik - during her Member Moment on September 16, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow.

Bob Vrana, Past President 2013-14 of Lincoln South Rotary Club told us about Spirit, Family, Job and Rotary during his Member Moment on August 19, 2022 at Lincoln South Rotary Club.

Lincoln South Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of strong support of The Rotary International Foundation.  When a member has accumulated a total of $1,000 in donations, they are named a Paul Harris Fellow. When those donations reach $10,000 they are recognized as a Major Donor.

Audrey is originally from Minnesota, moving to Nebraska while she was in grade school. She attended Doane College.

Jim O'Hanlon is from Blair, Nebraska - a 4th generation Blair resident on both his mother's and father's families.

Joyce Michaelis is retired after teaching at Nebraska Wesleyan University for 44 years.

Joyce Schmeeckle performs research evaluation for nonprofits and government grants which has allowed her to be expose to the many good people in our community.

Jason Varga is with Cause Collective. He described it as a sort of Chamber of Commerce for Non-Profit Organizations.

Bobby Cunningham was born in Kansas. When his parents became missionaries when he was 2 he found himself living in various countries around the world.

Clay Ehlers was honored with the District 5650 Cadwallader Award. This is the highest honor presented for service in our District.

Tami came to Rotary after visiting with Chan at a Family Reunion.

We learned about Henrik Christensen at Rotary on March 29, 2019.

On September 28, "Air Force Brat" Bruce Remington told us about his background, work and interests.

On August 24, Scott Delisi presented a Member Moment.

Thank you to Tracey McLain for sharing personal information during her Member Moment. We learned that she has 92 first cousins . . . and she knows them all!

Brad doesn't like the smell or taste of pumpkin, making this time of year particularly trying for him.