07/12/07

Rotary Club of South Haven Auction Raises Record Funds for LMC Students

Rotary Club of South Haven former president Dick Averill (right) presents a check with proceeds from the annual auction to Lake Michigan College South Haven campus employees Paget Mangold (left) and Janice Varney.

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - The fourth annual Rotary Club of South Haven auction, held at the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus, recently raised a record dollar amount for LMC scholarships and student emergency funds.

More than $11,400 was collected during this year's event. Over 200 guests participated in the silent auction of 240 items that were contributed by local individuals and businesses.

"The South Haven Rotary Club is an important partner to Lake Michigan College," stated LMC South Haven campus executive dean Janice Varney. "The generous contributions from this auction make a real difference in the lives of many LMC students."

Scholarship dollars from this event are targeted for LMC students who are residents of South Haven, Bangor or Covert school districts.

"The Rotary Club's motto is 'Service over self'," explained former South Haven Rotary Club president Dick Averill. "When Lake Michigan College was established in South Haven, we created the scholarship auction program to provide funds to assist in improving the educational level of our community. We are proud to contribute both scholarship and emergency funds to the College so that students from our area have access to financial assistance while pursuing their educational goals."

In the four years that the Rotary Club of South Haven has sponsored this event, more than $38,000 has been raised for LMC students.