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Rotary Club of Lexington Honored with 2025 Barbara Denson Memorial Volunteer Award At last week’s meeting, the Rotary Club of Lexington was recognized with the 2025 Barbara Denson Memorial Annual Volunteer Award, presented on behalf of Military Missions, Inc. The award, accepted by Veterans Dean Hammond and Chris Cambell on behalf of the Club, honors individuals or organizations whose volunteer efforts have made a meaningful impact in supporting deployed U.S. military service members. Named in memory of Barbara Denson, mother of Military Missions founder Beth Pennington, the award reflects a legacy of quiet, faithful service. Since the organization’s founding in 2004, Barbara ...

ROTARIANS AND THE HOPE CENTER BRING HOPE TO THE HOMELESS  Third Thursdays are traditionally the days when the Rotary Club of Lexington foregoes a formal meeting, and instead looks for ways to “Do Rotary, Differently”.  Last week was no exception.  Club Members supported the critical mission of The Hope Center by preparing ham and cheese sandwiches for the HopeMobile, which delivers meals and essential resources directly to individuals throughout the community. Rotarians were welcomed and guided by Chris Peck, fellow-Rotarians and Chief Advancement Officer of The Hope Center, whose leadership continues to strengthen the organization’s impact across Lexington. Rotarians expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve and to gain a deeper understanding of the organization’s ...

Each year, Rotary Clubs and District Governors around the world present the Cliff Dochterman Award to individuals who exemplify outstanding service to both Rotary and Scouting. Recipients are selected for their meaningful contributions to Scouting and for demonstrating exceptional leadership. Our club has a long tradition of supporting Scouting. From the early days of owning the first Scout camp—Camp Offutt on the Kentucky River—to later helping develop Camp McKee, and even sponsoring a troop for disadvantaged youth, Rotary has proudly supported the Scouting movement. This year, we are honored to recognize Edwin Gibson for his dedication to Scouting and youth development. Edwin served as a ...

We are honored to welcome someone who has dedicated her life to protecting the most vulnerable among us. Many of you know the remarkable work of GreenHouse17, a nationally recognized organization serving survivors of intimate partner abuse across Central Kentucky. What you may not fully appreciate is the visionary leadership behind that work. Darlene Thomas has spent decades turning compassion into action.  Under her leadership, GreenHouse17 has grown from a local shelter into a model of holistic, survivor-centered care – integrating safety, advocacy, therapy, children’s services, and even a working farm that restores dignity and independence through meaningful work and healing. Darlene's ...

The Rotary Leadership Institute is a critical service to our members as we seek to insure that we will have the leadership we need to ensure Rotary’s future. On Saturday, thirty-three Rotarians from fifteen Rotary clubs in District 6740 braved the low temperatures and uncertain road conditions to complete the first Rotary Leadership Institute for 2026. The Institute was held at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Newtown Campus, which joined District 6740 leadership as event co-sponsors. Congratulations to the six Rotarians from our club who received graduation certificates at the end of the day in recognition of their completion of ...

Rotary joins with the larger community in celebrating Black History Month, a time to recognize the role of African Americans in US history. Communities across the country will, in various ways, offer opportunities to learn about the struggles and honor the achievements of African Americans. As noted by the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, “2026 marks an important centennial – 100 years of nationally commemorating Black history. In 1915, Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson and fellow scholars founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, institutionalizing the teaching, study, and celebration of Black History.” Negro history week was initiated in ...

ROTARIANS PLAY VITAL ROLE AS COMMERCE LEXINGTON AMBASSADORS  New member Kristie Woodrum is noted to have one of her roles at Commerce Lexington as running the Ambassador Program. Ambassadors are active members of Commerce Lexington who volunteer their time to assist with member relations and retention efforts. Ambassadors serve as  mentors to members, meet them at events, and encourage their involvement and participation. Congratulations to Rotarians Trey McCallie, Laura Mobley-Corn, Crystal Newton, and Sam Overbee, who will be supporting Kristie by serving as Commerce Lexington Ambassadors in 2026.  Thanks to them all for their Service Above Self.     

The Rotary Club of Lexington’s annual Holiday party with deserving students from Booker T. Washington Elementary School took place during the last meeting of the year on December 11. Eighteen students were hosted by Rotarians to a delicious lunch of chicken strips, mac and cheese and Christmas cookies. The Holiday Luncheon committee, chaired by Carrie Patterson, provided each student with a gift bag (for their toys), crayons, coloring book, and juice boxes! Several Rotarians, dressed in the Holiday spirit, served as table hosts to make sure each student was well cared for. Before Santa, played wonderfully and enthusiastically by Rotarian ...